Swollen Soft Chest && Stumbling

[zweigart]

Hey guys...
I am a first time chicken owner, so I am not familiar with knowing what certain signs or symptoms are.
I have noticed that for the past week or so, that one of my young hens looks bigger then her sister. Today while I was out with them I saw her try and jump over something and she didn't make it and stayed laying on her back until I picker her up. That's when I felt her swollen chest that almost feels mushy. I set her back on the ground and she walked away but was stumbling a little and actually tripped over herself at one point. She seems to be lethargic and unless provoked or threatened, she will just lay down.
I didn't notice any wounds, injuries or whether she is eating normal or not.
I have separated her from the rest to see if a little down time helps.

Anyone have any ideas as what it might be? I have read a couple forums that say it could be a full crop but I feel like if that was the case she wouldn't be stumbling. She has not started laying yet, is not missing any feathers, and the swelling looks and feels like the whole chest, not just one side.

any suggestions or input helps. Thank you

 

[Tigertrea]

Sour crop? Look up info/pics to see if this is what it may be.

I have one I am battling with right now who has sour crop. I can't be much help since I can't seem to get her better. She is heading for culling very soon

 

[zweigart]

UPDATE:

I read multiple articles and went to several livestock stores to get some advice. Most of the articles suggested the same things; Apple cider vinegar(ACV) in the water, massage, isolate, and soft foods until crop is emptied. The only thing I found that wasn't consistent was whether to turn the hen upside and rub or leave her right side and and just tilt her head down. For the first 3 days I left her right side up thinking it was safer, but wasn't having much success eliminating her crop. Yesterday I decided to flip her over since she was still swollen. SUCCESS! As soon as I turned her upside down it took mere seconds for her crop to start emptying, it seriously looked and felt like I was deflating a balloon. I was surprised at the amount that came out and what was in there... for the most part it was a 'gooey' liquid but she also had about 6 strings of hay in there too. I am pretty sure that is what caused all the issues.
She has an appetite again and as of this morning the swelling hasn't come back other then the normal right after eating. She is weak since she hasn't been taking anything in, but I'm hopeful she will pull through once she gets some nutrients back in her. She isn't a big fan of the water with ACV in it, so I may dilute it a little more with water and see if she will take that. I did learn all my girls LOVE plain organic yogurt though. I still have her isolated because there is already signs of pecking order issues. Once she gets her strength ill re-introduce her to the flock.

I was surprised how many people had no idea what sour crop was. Everyone I spoke with had either not heard of it or had no idea what to do about it. I found an bird vet, but they are closed until tomorrow (Due to Labor Day). Crossing fingers

I wont need the vet now.

On a side not.... My Rhode Island named Gingy laid her first egg yesterday. I was a proud momma to be able to bring our families very first egg ever into the house and flaunt some pictures of it on FB and through text messages. I love my Hens and Pups!

 

[chickenmom3324]

You helped save my girl. We have been trying to figure out what was going on with our Sussex. She had exactly the same symptoms as your bird. We flipped her over squeezed and Oh My Gosh.... NASTY. She is walking and talking and back to her good old self. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us....... Pepper thanks you!!!!

 

[zweigart]

I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT!!! =D I'm glad I could help by sharing my experience.... I'm still struggling with my girl =/ but she is showing some signs of improvement. Just have to take it day by day. I think I didn't catch mine early enough, so recovery will be longer. So great job catching yours so early. Hopefully you and pepper don't have to experience that again.
Best wishes!

 

[zweigart]

Tigertrea... Im sorry to hear about your girl not doing so well. It's hard to watch them like this. I'm still hoping I can get mine to her perky self, but def don't want to see her suffer either!

 

[zweigart]

So I have another update:

She has taken a turn for the worst. Pretty sure we have gone from sour crop to pendulous crop =( lump has moved towards her abdomin. Still mushy , not hard, and I'm still emptying very foul smelling junk from her! She is scary thin and I'm not sure if the damage to the crop will heal of I can get it under control.

She's been isolated
She's been on soft/liquid food (like bread soaked in oil, yogurt, crumbles w/ warm water)
She still isn't drinking (going to use a syringe and start doing it manually)
Going to put her on terramycin
Been rubbing her puldge about 2-3 times a day
Bringing her inside at night since she has no way to keep herself warm

... Is this just a waiting game now?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I had a sour crop situation recently. I isolated and tried soft foods, olive oil, massaging, vomiting, everything I could find and try, I tried. In the end it became clear that I needed to get the blockage out or the bird was about to starve. So I actually cut it out. There was a tangle of grass in there that was crazy! Chickens do not need anesthetic. I wrapped her in a towel and had one person hold her down gently then I made a small cut through her chest and into her crop. She did not react or freak out or show any signs of pain. In fact, her only reaction was to try to eat my thread at the end. I pulled everything out. Cleaned everything really really well and sewed her up, making sure to close the crop and her skin. Then I fed soft foods and gave her an antibiotic. She laid an egg the next day and healed up super fast and is back to normal.

If something is blocking her crop then she is starving and whatever is in there is rotting. You have got to find a way to get it out or she will not make it. Feel free to message me if you want more details of what I did.

This is Jerk Chicken. Standing next to her is what I pulled out. The second picture is her healthy, a few weeks after surgery.

 

[CedarCluck]

So I came across this thread and the thing that got me to read it was the "soft chest" in the title. I have an older buff orpington at home who has a really big chest. I was holding her in my lap the other day and when I push her feathers apart it seems like her chest is just there. lol. So reading this thread has me all terrified that she might actually have this sour crop as an issue. I tried looking up pictures online, but I havent found anything that looks like it, and she doesn't really have any of the symptoms as far as I can tell. But I am still new to the world of chickens and the thought of her having something wrong makes me sad. lol but overall interesting read thanks for the thread guys, always good to know about these things.

 

[zweigart]

I was reading that you shouldn't cut unless its hard. More details would be great if you don't mind sharing. Did jerks crop ever drop/stretch? Do you have a background in vet/medicine or was this your first time doing anything like this?
I greatly appreciate your response !! Really thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!