Crop or Water Belly? Fluid Gathering in Front (her right side)

[ChicksandJacque]

Ok here are a couple of pics. I gave her 2/2 a tums and she ate most of it with soft food.

 

[texsuze]

If this ends up being pendulous crop/crop stasis I had great success on my EE, Bertha, who was notorious for having crop stasis each spring as she ate new pasture grass that emerged. I used a crop bib (mostly referred to as a crop bra) of cotton material, one that had elastic strap around her neck that fastened with a snap, plus an expandable elastic strap with snap closure at the end which came up over her back under the wings. Used it with supervision for several days in a row each time she had crop stasis and always checked poops. Several seamstresses on the internet make these. FWIW, I did not like the design that uses fabric bandages to tie across the hen's back.

 

[ChicksandJacque]

If this ends up being pendulous crop/crop stasis I had great success on my EE, Bertha, who was notorious for having crop stasis each spring as she ate new pasture grass that emerged. I used a crop bib (mostly referred to as a crop bra) of cotton material, one that had elastic strap around her neck that fastened with a snap, plus an expandable elastic strap with snap closure at the end which came up over her back under the wings. Used it with supervision for several days in a row each time she had crop stasis and always checked poops. Several seamstresses on the internet make these. FWIW, I did not like the design that uses fabric bandages to tie across the hen's back.

Oh I was joking with a friend about this just yesterday. So crop bras are a real thing!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, crop bras can help put pressure on the pendulous crop to prevent over filling. They have to be tight enough and applied correctly. Crop stasis may happen if the hen has pressure in her abdomen, which could come from a reproductive infection or salpingitis, water belly, worms, or being fat. I would look at her diet, keeping it mostly on a balanced chicken feed, fresh water daily, and limit treats. While she has this, you will need to try and get her crop to empty some by using some small chunks of chilled coconut oil or a stool softener. Massage any solid or doughy crop contents, to try and break them up. Consider worming with Valbazen 1/2 ml given orally, and repeat that in 10 days. Shake the bottle well since it is sludgy. Limit treats except for a little soft egg or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt with live cultures. Many use miconazole or Monistat for yeast 1/2 inch of cream given orally twice a day. The good article by azygous is helpful. In severe cases some use acidified copper sulfate 1/4 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days.

 

[ChicksandJacque]

Yes, crop bras can help put pressure on the pendulous crop to prevent over filling. They have to be tight enough and applied correctly. Crop stasis may happen if the hen has pressure in her abdomen, which could come from a reproductive infection or salpingitis, water belly, worms, or being fat. I would look at her diet, keeping it mostly on a balanced chicken feed, fresh water daily, and limit treats. While she has this, you will need to try and get her crop to empty some by using some small chunks of chilled coconut oil or a stool softener. Massage any solid or doughy crop contents, to try and break them up. Consider worming with Valbazen 1/2 ml given orally, and repeat that in 10 days. Shake the bottle well since it is sludgy. Limit treats except for a little soft egg or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt with live cultures. Many use miconazole or Monistat for yeast 1/2 inch of cream given orally twice a day. The good article by azygous is helpful. In severe cases some use acidified copper sulfate 1/4 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days.

Ok, thank you. I will try the chilled coconut oil to begin. Her crop continues to be full every day, squishy liquid, no masses). She's still quite active and enjoys eating her soft foods, but the crop is so so full.