Sour crop

PVILLAGO

Songster
Joined
Jan 14, 2021
Messages
255
Reaction score
355
Points
166
Location
Fort Worth, TX
So 2 days ago I noticed Chrissy isolating from the other girls. I picked her up and checked her out. Sour crop. I massaged the crop and she expelled alot. Crop emptied. I thought all was going to be ok. I brought her to my chicken hospital to restrict food and give her time to recover. She has a mass on her belly. Water belly maybe?? Im just not sure. I just lost another one 2 months ago and have no clue why. But this girl i knew it was sour crop. She'll be 4 next month. Her poops were liquid at first but have formed back up nicely However, she just didn't rebound. I've given her antibiotics. Today I reintroduced soft egg and grit but she's not eating. She's dying I know it and its just killing me. She's so pretty.
1000033603.jpg
1000033607.jpg
1000033582.jpg
1000033604.jpg
 
I'm very sorry. At 4 years old, with a mass in her belly, it's likely that she has a reproductive problem. The mass could be infectious material from salpingitis or internal laying, cancer, or fluid from a leaking liver (which is a symptom of something else). If it's fluid (ascites) that can sometimes be drained which can make them more comfortable for a time. But it will recur as the underlying condition is still there. And there is some risk in draining, if too much is drained too quickly it can result in shock, which can be fatal. With most of the reproductive issues, regardless which, crop problems will often also develop. Their digestion can slow, or stop completely, resulting in crop stasis and souring sometimes. Sadly, reproductive problems in hens over the age of two are not uncommon. Sometimes imaging can show what is going on, but sometimes it doesn't. And cost and access are problems for many people. And the majority of the time there really aren't good treatment options that will change the outcome. It might buy them some time, but won't be a cure. When I have a hen that presents like this, I no longer treat, I just provide supportive care. When they go off food and water, isolate themselves, or are attacked by flockmates, I euthanize rather than let them suffer. If you want to know for sure, then necropsy is the best way to know. Many state labs are reasonable and can provide answers, and sometimes peace of mind. Link below to state labs, you can contact your nearest for particulars. :hugs
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
 
I'm very sorry. At 4 years old, with a mass in her belly, it's likely that she has a reproductive problem. The mass could be infectious material from salpingitis or internal laying, cancer, or fluid from a leaking liver (which is a symptom of something else). If it's fluid (ascites) that can sometimes be drained which can make them more comfortable for a time. But it will recur as the underlying condition is still there. And there is some risk in draining, if too much is drained too quickly it can result in shock, which can be fatal. With most of the reproductive issues, regardless which, crop problems will often also develop. Their digestion can slow, or stop completely, resulting in crop stasis and souring sometimes. Sadly, reproductive problems in hens over the age of two are not uncommon. Sometimes imaging can show what is going on, but sometimes it doesn't. And cost and access are problems for many people. And the majority of the time there really aren't good treatment options that will change the outcome. It might buy them some time, but won't be a cure. When I have a hen that presents like this, I no longer treat, I just provide supportive care. When they go off food and water, isolate themselves, or are attacked by flockmates, I euthanize rather than let them suffer. If you want to know for sure, then necropsy is the best way to know. Many state labs are reasonable and can provide answers, and sometimes peace of mind. Link below to state labs, you can contact your nearest for particulars. :hugs
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html
Thank you for information. I am just holding her and loving on her. I've done all I can. Still heartbreaking but I try.
 
How is she doing..?
She passed. Im sending her to Texas A&M for a necropsy because I need to know if that mass was a growth or water belly. I need to understand the look and feel in order to be more helpful to my other girls in the future. They also offer courses to understand and take better care of your flock. I've always thought I was a good Mom but July I lost one to a Hawk. SEPT. I lost one and I still don't know what happened to her.. but this one was a sour crop and I thought water belly. I'm just beat up emotionally..
 
I'm so sorry. I feel you, I lost my silkie girl October 8, though she was very old. It's so hard, I also lost a few others, not that old, to several different causes; there's so much that can go wrong with them. I always had necropsies done, but in almost all cases it was congenital. Still, it's good to know, but it is emotionally draining.
 
I'm so sorry for your losses. It's so difficult to watch them deteriorate. At least she is not suffering any longer.
You are a good chicken mom. They get sick and bad things happen at no fault for anything you did or didn't do. It was good you were able to hold her in her last hours and yes, it is emotionally draining. It's good you will get specific answers from the necropsy. Hugs.....:hugs
 
I'm very sorry for your loss. It is very hard to lose them and it always seems like it's a favorite. I hope you get answers and peace of mind. Sadly it's part of keeping chickens. Some of them are lucky and get to live a very long time, but many have much shorter lives. I'm sure she had a much better and happier life with you than she might have had elsewhere, and she was cared for and loved. No matter how hard we try, how conscientious we are, things sometimes happen that are out of our control. If you think of it, update here when you know the results, it might help someone else who finds this thread in the future.
:hugs
 
I'm so sorry. I feel you, I lost my silkie girl October 8, though she was very old. It's so hard, I also lost a few others, not that old, to several different causes; there's so much that can go wrong with them. I always had necropsies done, but in almost all cases it was congenital. Still, it's good to know, but it is emotionally draining.
It is such a "gut" punch. Thank you. Yes I use to be a Medical Technologist and worked in the lab so I'm very interested in learning more to provide adequate care in a crisis. Whether its euthanasia, pain relief, antibiotics or just peace and quiet isolation for healing.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom