My two week old chick has an enlarged crop. I've massaged it, withheld food overnight to see if it would empty, but it's still enlarged. She's a bit lethargic, my vet said to get her to drink a lot of water, but I can't seem to. Any suggestions?
What has she been eating? If they eat anything besides chick feed,they need grit. This is about all you can really do for such a young chick,keep massaging crop and try to get her to drink. The water is to flush the crop in the hopes of dislodging the impact. Keep gently massaging her,you will have to do this a couple times a day. There are several treatment options,but her young age this does pose a problem. Normally would you would feed bird bread (no crusts)soaked in olive oil in the hopes this will act as a lubricant and get contents moving along. Tube feeding if she is not eating/drinking at all,and yes tubing a young bird is possible,this is done the same way you would an older bird. Search forum for suggestions on impact with young chicks.
