Whats wrong with this chicken?!

[crystal94040]

A friend of mine posted these pictures on another board hoping that someone would be able to tell her whats going on with her chicken....but no one is answering.
So I'm reposting on her behalf here in the hopes that someone has seen this before and can shed some light on the situation.
Thanks!

 

[tiffanyh]

If it is a solid mass, I would guess a tumor or something of the sort.

If it is soft, maybe it is something to do with the crop.

Just a guess, taking her to a vet may be the best thing. Either way, good luck.

 

[crystal94040]

here's some more info she posted

" No, that is what I thought, food lodged or something, but then we started pulling it out and it seemed more that it was the beak that was swollen and coming off (the inside gunky stuff). Its as if there is horn bulging. She is really gasping for air too so I am thinking it goes down deeper. We had her inside for a while but she really stinks so maybe she is rotting from the inside?

Gah, I feel so bad something has gotten this far already. She was molting so I thought that was why she was looking so poorly, but then her feathers came back in and she was still looking miserable and thinner and all the red on top of her head was gone. Poor thing "

 

[maria22000]

Ah, here I am!
Thanks, Crystal!!
I had to find what the crop was, but yes that could be it. Would a regular vet know what to do with it? If it is the crop, what can be done? I mean, we don't have $$$ and I am fine turning her neck if need be to stop the pain/discomfort she obviously is in (sorry, don't mean to offend!) but that may not be necessary if it is treatable.
Thanks again!
maria.

 

[crystal94040]

there is a post locked at the top of this section that has info on how to do your own surgery.....I recently had to do some surgeries on one of mine and chickens actually stay REALLY still when your working on them....might be worth a try if you think her crop in impacted.

 

[Matt A NC]

Looks like a very bad case of canker.

If it is canker then it "can be treated successfully with Metronidazole Tablets as a general rule along with Iodine on the Canker sores directly."(taken from http://www.featherfanciers.com/forums/index.php)

Matt

 

[arlee453]

I'm not an expert, but I agree with Matt - it looks from the pictures that the primary problem is NOT the crop. Canker sounds like a good bet also.

Crop problems wouldn't make the beak look like that, typically.

Good luck with her.

 

[Pinenot]

With this kind of thing...I am always telling you to contact Dr. Peter Brown on FeatherFanciers.com for answers. He is an online chicken Dr. and has helped so many of us with sick birds.

 

[Pine Grove]

She has canker(Trichomoniasis)..She needs metronidazole, This can be bought as FISHZOLE..She needs 250mg per day for 5 days..This is contagious and birds remain carriers..Copper sulfate at 1/8th teaspoon per gallon of water 3 days in a row once a month will control this..
Canker affects the crop also. and other organs as well

 

[maria22000]

Oh, wow, thank you guys!!! I am hopeful again. I hope she survives the night (I have no clue how her eating/drinking/breathing has been hampered and for how long :-( She is in a warm ventilated place of the ground and out of draft so hopefully a bit more comfortable. I will get on this tomorrow, though contacting this chicken doc tonight!
Thank you!!
maria.