thought it was sour crop, but it's not improving! HELP :(

[Donna98328]

My 1 year old australorp has been having problems for a couple of months now. I noticed her crop was very pendulant, practically hanging on the ground. (since she didn't have a name yet, she became Dolly (Parton)!) This is my 3rd round isolating her, giving her nothing but yogurt, olive oil, grit and ACV. I think at one point it was impacted but that cleared up before I had to do surgery (thank goodness, since I made a few vets think I was a wacko in my attempt to get suture material). This 3rd round has probably been going on for about 3 weeks! She acts like she's starving to death, I give her some mash, she balloons up and I have to regurgitate her - my friends are now referring to her as my "bulimic chicken". This week it seems like she doesn't even want to try to eat, but she's still swelling up. I just don't know what to do anymore. Does ANYONE have any other suggestions?? I've read all the posts about sour crop, but where every other chicken apparently recovers, mine doesn't seem to be. Do I need to cull her? I looked up how to do that and it made me cry, but if I have to, I have to.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi and

I'm sorry you have been dealing with this for so long. I have only read about it so i don't have first hand info to give you but I do have this link that might be of some help. I will be

for your hen. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=398133
the copper sulfate might be next.

 

[hoosier]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I have a three year old Australorp that had a huge, hard crop. She was quite thin when I picked her up. For three days, I withheld all food except a bit of Activia yoghurt. I gave her oil three times a day and massaged her crop. I also gave her some elecrolytes, and I put ACV in her water. Her crop did become more pliable, but did not significantly reduce in size. She was miserable, so I returned her to the flock. I still pick her up and massage her crop and give her yoghurt. It has been three days now, and her crop is still pliable. While she may not make it in the end, she is much happier.
Good luck with yours.

 

[sham30]

I am in the same situation, I have a hen who keeps swelling up and going down - tried everything but can not seem to clear it up now I noticed one of my astralops has the same situation

 

[Donna98328]

something was said a couple of times about a "crop bra". Anyone know how to make one? That sounds like a good idea.