Suctioning liquid out of crop?

[Lemon-Drop]

Hi-not sure if anyone has done this, but my neighbors chicken has sour crop. I'm nervous about her aspirating if we try the method of turning upside down and massaging the crop, what if I tubed some liquid, then suctioned the rest up? Sorry, this is probably a super stupid idea. I've done tube feeding before, but never suctioning from a crop.

 

[Eggcessive]

It wouldn’t hurt to try a good sized feeding tube and aspirate the contents. A small tube probably would not get the thick contents out. You can feed some water and massage the crop, and then try to aspirate or withdraw the fluid. @casportpony would be knowledgeable about doing that. You are right that tipping a chicken upside down to make them vomit could cause them to choke to death, and many have experienced that.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

It wouldn’t hurt to try a good sized feeding tube and aspirate the contents. A small tube probably would not get the thick contents out. You can feed some water and massage the crop, and then try to aspirate or withdraw the fluid. @casportpony would be knowledgeable about doing that. You are right that tipping a chicken upside down to make them vomit could cause them to choke to death, and many have experienced that.

Ok, we’re going to try it.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Please update us!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I will! Hoping it works out.

 

[Eggcessive]

What size is the tube you are using?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Sorry, Just got back. We used an aquarium tube. I think a bigger one would be better, because food got stuck, but we got a lot of liquid out.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Today the crop seemed hard. I don't think the neighbor is stopping her from eating, drinking yet. Should I ask them to separate her?

 

[Eggcessive]

Aquarium tubing while okay for water and some liquids, is way too small to clear a crop. You can tube fluids and massage the crop and hopefully it will help liquify the crop contents. But to lavage crop contents (instill water and then pull the contents back out,) you would need a much bigger tube. I have read that vets will sell a feeding tube and a large catheter tipped syringe. You can also buy them online. I was hoping that @casportpony would chime in and give you advice. I have never anything other than tube feed a chicken. She would have more knowledge of flushing or lavaging a crop.

Since this isn’t not your chicken, it might be better if your neighbor handles this, especially to separate and treat the chicken. Crop problems are very common in chickens and usually are a result of another problem. Reproductive disorders, worms, ascites (water belly) and other problems can cause crop disorders. I have treated a half dozen older hens, and have never had any success with sour or impacted crop. So I leave advice up to others who have had better success.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Aquarium tubing while okay for water and some liquids, is way too small to clear a crop. You can tube fluids and massage the crop and hopefully it will help liquify the crop contents. But to lavage crop contents (instill water and then pull the contents back out,) you would need a much bigger tube. I have read that vets will sell a feeding tube and a large catheter tipped syringe. You can also buy them online. I was hoping that @casportpony would chime in and give you advice. I have never anything other than tube feed a chicken. She would have more knowledge of flushing or lavaging a crop.

Since this isn’t not your chicken, it might be better if your neighbor handles this, especially to separate and treat the chicken. Crop problems are very common in chickens and usually are a result of another problem. Reproductive disorders, worms, ascites (water belly) and other problems can cause crop disorders. I have treated a half dozen older hens, and have never had any success with sour or impacted crop. So I leave advice up to others who have had better success.

Ok, thanks.