Sour Crop Recovery

[mambomilk]

Hey yall!

One of my Rhode Island reds came down with sour crop a few days ago. I isolated her right away, took away food for the first 24-48 hours, started Monistat 7 twice a day, added ACV to her water, and started feeding her yogurt yesterday. Her crop feels much better and she is definitely feeling better, but it still seems more pendulous then I remember it being. Is that normal? Or am I just hyper aware of her now? I have a friend who is sewing me a bra for her and I'm hoping to have it by the weekend.

When do you think it's safe to stop isolating? I plan to continue the Monistat for a total of seven days. Does she need to be kept separate the entire time? Also, when should I start offering her her normal feed? Her crop feels better, but not normal. I don't feel an impaction when I'm massaging her.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[alinas2010]

Hey yall!

One of my Rhode Island reds came down with sour crop a few days ago. I isolated her right away, took away food for the first 24-48 hours, started Monistat 7 twice a day, added ACV to her water, and started feeding her yogurt yesterday. Her crop feels much better and she is definitely feeling better, but it still seems more pendulous then I remember it being. Is that normal? Or am I just hyper aware of her now? I have a friend who is sewing me a bra for her and I'm hoping to have it by the weekend.

When do you think it's safe to stop isolating? I plan to continue the Monistat for a total of seven days. Does she need to be kept separate the entire time? Also, when should I start offering her her normal feed? Her crop feels better, but not normal. I don't feel an impaction when I'm massaging her.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Sorry to hear you and your chicken had to go through this, I hate treating crop issues! I wouldn’t keep her separate any longer if she is feeling well enough to be somewhat active. But be sure she isn’t getting picked on when you return her, especially since she was separated. Usually I don’t separate for a crop issue unless the chicken is getting picked on or is very sick, at which point they will sometimes get picked on.

I think if a crop is distended too long, it is not abnormal for it to become pendulous. That may return to somewhat normal in time, but it also may not. When I’ve had to treat for crop issues myself, I have noticed that the crop begins to sag if full for too long, but mine have always returned to normal once the crop shrinks.

Her crop is shrinking, right? I would offer food and let her eat as she pleases. Wetted down feed can be a good one for her to try. If she is feeling well enough to eat, I don’t think there is a reason to withhold food. A lot of people do for 24-48 hours but I never have and we’ve recovered fine from yeasty/sour crops. They’re pretty good about not eating if they have crop problems, usually. Have you viewed any crop articles here on BYC? Here is a good one by @azygous:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[mambomilk]

Sorry to hear you and your chicken had to go through this, I hate treating crop issues! I wouldn’t keep her separate any longer if she is feeling well enough to be somewhat active. But be sure she isn’t getting picked on when you return her, especially since she was separated. Usually I don’t separate for a crop issue unless the chicken is getting picked on or is very sick, at which point they will sometimes get picked on.

I think if a crop is distended too long, it is not abnormal for it to become pendulous. That may return to somewhat normal in time, but it also may not. When I’ve had to treat for crop issues myself, I have noticed that the crop begins to sag if full for too long, but mine have always returned to normal once the crop shrinks.

Her crop is shrinking, right? I would offer food and let her eat as she pleases. Wetted down feed can be a good one for her to try. If she is feeling well enough to eat, I don’t think there is a reason to withhold food. A lot of people do for 24-48 hours but I never have and we’ve recovered fine from yeasty/sour crops. They’re pretty good about not eating if they have crop problems, usually. Have you viewed any crop articles here on BYC? Here is a good one by @azygous:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Thank you so much!

Yes, her crop is emptying and she seems to be feeling much better overall. I just put her back in with the other girls and she's getting picked on by one of the reds in particular. Any suggestions? Will they eventually just "work it out"?

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you so much!

Yes, her crop is emptying and she seems to be feeling much better overall. I just put her back in with the other girls and she's getting picked on by one of the reds in particular. Any suggestions? Will they eventually just "work it out"?

I’m glad she is feeling better, what a relief! Usually they won’t just work things out if one has been separated, but some picking on is normal to establish a pecking order. What I would do is try the “see no touch” method to reintegrate Her. You will need a large wire dog crate to put her in with her own food and water and then place that inside the run or around the flock wherever they are. This way they can get used to her being around again but they can’t touch her. Do this for a few days to a week and then let her out and see how she does with the flock.

Alternatively, I’ve also just watched my chickens very very closely when integrating a lone hen. This takes a lot of time and effort, though. Some bullying is expected but watch for blood being drawn because that will lead to bigger issues.