hard ball like crop

[flossie653]

I have only a small crew this time. Two hens have a small golf ball like crop so I have been putting a teaspoon of coconut oil down throat at night, It now feels like a squish ball, when should I try to see if it is a sour crop? She also has a runny butt (to which I wash ) the poo has yellow in it and white like stringy looking. but is still laying! she gave me quite a scare this week after I had lost one hen who isnt but almost 2 years old. These chickens are treated like gold and I do everything (so I thought)

 

[chickens really]

What are you feeding? Do they get granite Grit?

 

[aart]

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

This article by @azygous should help you finger it out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

..and here's more info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

 

[azygous]

A golf ball size crop is normal. If you are checking the crops in the morning before they eat, then this isn't normal. Crops should be flat in the morning before they eat.

You can use coconut oil for an impacted crop, but it works better with gentle crop massage.

If the crop contents don't go down overnight, they can ferment, causing sour crop. That's a squishy crop in the morning. It's treated with an anti-yeast cream, and massage isn't recommended.