NEED HELP chickens crop will not empty, beginning of sour crop

[guest226]

This is about my molting hen. At first I thought her crop was slow from the feather regrowth, but her crop has been getting more and more full and not emptying fast enough. it doesn't empty overnight.

I've massaged her crop like twice a day for 3-4 days now! No change! She has not eaten any grass or fiberous weeds. She stopped eating but she still acts fine. She drinks a lot of water.

When I massage her crop it is always initially hard, no matter what, but the mass is easily mashable with my fingers. It feels like a lot of food and thats all. I massaged with coconut oil/olive oil (that she drinks voluntarily) for 10 minutes each time. No change. I have digestive enzymes in her water and today I gave her apple cider vinager in her water. I don't smell a four scent from her but I think the food is fermenting, I hear gurgles. No vomit from what I can tell.

Her poops are very watery but not mucusy. I only see small amounts of food matter in it. It is so full with food that it is discolored to be darker than the normal pink color. It is tight and big.

Her crop is huge when I cup my and over it its like a half orange. I need help! I have a vet visit in 2 days but I fear it will get worse and become sour.

What could have caused this? Why isn't it going down if I don't feel a impaction? Why did it happen suddenly?? Please help I'm very confused!!!

Sorry to bother, but I'm in a tough situation where I cannot be monitoring her for many hours in the day. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

My previous thread had more context but I think I need advice now. I'm confused as to why its not draining and why the slow/impacted/sour crop happened overnight.

 

[azygous]

Molt is very hard on a chicken. Almost all of them lose some of their enthusiasm to eat. Occasionally, I will have one that I have to pull back from the brink

When they eat less, there is sometimes less digestive action occurring. This can cause the crop to slow down. When I see a chicken with a slow crop, but a crop that hasn't yet tipped over into a crop disorder, I give a probiotic tablet each day. I also feed high grade animal protein once a week such as fish. This is both a treat to excite poor appetites as well as an infusion of protein to replace what feather regrowth is taking.

 

[guest226]

Molt is very hard on a chicken. Almost all of them lose some of their enthusiasm to eat. Occasionally, I will have one that I have to pull back from the brink

When they eat less, there is sometimes less digestive action occurring. This can cause the crop to slow down. When I see a chicken with a slow crop, but a crop that hasn't yet tipped over into a crop disorder, I give a probiotic tablet each day. I also feed high grade animal protein once a week such as fish. This is both a treat to excite poor appetites as well as an infusion of protein to replace what feather regrowth is taking.

Thank you for your response

Since her crop hasn't emptied for days now, and since it seems like it is starting to ferment, I made plans to go to the vet tomorrow or the day after to maybe get advice on what to do from there. I would like to prevent pendulous crop or sour crop asap.

But she is growing back her feathers and is uncomfortable when I touch certain feathers. I'm concerened the vet will be to harsh on her, but since shes in such a rough state I assume the vet will be gentle.

I think, since she isn't lethargic or acting off, the crop issue kind of seemed detached from her molt. but now your message is making me think the contrary. Should I still take her in?

 

[azygous]

I never discourage taking a chicken to a vet. It's rare enough that a vet will see a chicken that it would be like tossing out a winning lottery ticket.

 

[guest226]

I never discourage taking a chicken to a vet. It's rare enough that a vet will see a chicken that it would be like tossing out a winning lottery ticket.

yes! i’m blessed to have 2 chicken specialist clinics near me. only downside is that it’s very expensive- upper hundreds

 

[guest226]

I never discourage taking a chicken to a vet. It's rare enough that a vet will see a chicken that it would be like tossing out a winning lottery ticket.

Do you think I should get a simple crop surgery to get the mass of food out?

 

[azygous]

The only reason to do crop surgery is if the crop is full of undigestible cellulose such as hay or grass stems or a foreign object. Food can be softened with oil and massage to make it leave the crop. The next step, also non-invasive, is an Epsom salt flush to push the food through the gizzard and intestines.

 

[guest226]

The only reason to do crop surgery is if the crop is full of undigestible cellulose such as hay or grass stems or a foreign object. Food can be softened with oil and massage to make it leave the crop. The next step, also non-invasive, is an Epsom salt flush to push the food through the gizzard and intestines.
View attachment 3961382

I brought her to the vet today! she said she didn’t really see anything wrong except she felt some parts of her cloaca seemed bigger/a bit swollen, but she doesn’t suspect cancer or repro issues. She felt only food in the crop and didn’t feel sour crop. She gave me antibiotics just in case of an issue later.

 

[guest226]

The only reason to do crop surgery is if the crop is full of undigestible cellulose such as hay or grass stems or a foreign object. Food can be softened with oil and massage to make it leave the crop. The next step, also non-invasive, is an Epsom salt flush to push the food through the gizzard and intestines.
View attachment 3961382

Please help, after the vet visit this morning she is acting very lethargic. She walks slowly and shivers sometimes. She’s all puffed up. I feel a large lump/bubble where the fluid was injected.

After we brought her home she was feeling perfectly fine and this is a complete 360 in her behavior. Is it normal when she’s trying to digest the fluid??

The spot seems to bring her pain when i touch it. Help!!!!!!! I haven’t seen her poop yet but it looks kind of normal (just watery) in the sleeping roost!!!

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
please help

 

[azygous]

What fluid was injected, medicine, saline, vitamins? Who injected it? Where was the injection site? For what reason was it injected? You only made mention of being sent home with an antibiotic, not that you were to use it on her at this time.

Obviously, whatever was done to the hen is causing her serious issues. Have you called the vet and informed them of this negative reaction?