alih Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 i have just noticed that my 20 week girls has a very distended crop - it feels soft but firm and is definitely something that has happened since early this morning - she has been free-ranging in my garden along with the others and seems perky. Do I do anything or just hope it goes down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I would think she's probably just been stuffing her face all morning...found something particularly tasty. Its when they have a full crop first thing in the morning that you need to worry I believe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 As long as it goes down overnight there is nothing to worry about. It all sounds perfectly normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 am just worried as it looks and feels completely different to the 3 others', having had a good massage of all crops just now - hers is definitely bigger and more pendulous..will try not to worry...thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 am still worried - Iggy has started moving her head in a weird way, as if trying to dislodge something, and she seems even more swollen than before. have got some olive oil down her but not sure what else to do or whether being premature? Problem is am at work tomorrow and friday all day so can't watch/ treat her properly. Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Ali, please see the thread in the FAQ section regarding impacted crops... all the answers are in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 thanks Clare have managed to find it. Am going to speak to the supplier who is lovely as she may have some ideas too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Some gentle massage and a swig of olive oil might help. They often do stretch their necks to help food move long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 thanks guys - am now really worried as my supplier recommends that I make her sick - it all sounds very stressful for her and not easy to do - does anyone have any experience of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Errmm, far be it for me to contradict your breeders recommendations, but that could be quite dangerous if she inhales the vomit.. which is quite likely to happen. Chooks don't have a vomit reflex, so it would mean turning her upside down to get it to drain. This only really works with sour crop when the crop contents are liquid (and even then isn't recommended) . It won't work at all with impacted crop, just serve top make her more uncomfortable and poorly. Follow the instructions int he sticky that you read and if she's no better in 48 hours then take her to the vet. Try not to worry too much. I'm glad that you asked here first Ali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Oh thanks, Claret, was very unwilling to try it as she did say I should be careful not to suffocate the chicken! She is a lovely woman and I fear I am a complete handbag but I knew you guys would have good tips. I have given her lots of massages, some oil and probiotic yoghurt and ordered the maggots! Hopefully they will arrive tomorrow! iggy is pretty perky so I reckon she should be able to cope until they arrive. Have found an avian vet nearby just in case...it's just trying to fit it all in with work and kids!!!! Will see how she is in the morning. It's my 5-year-old's birthday today so am going to put her to bed and enjoy a big glass of wine! Thanks for calming me down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Each hen is different and she may just be more of a gannet than the others, and hence have a bigger crop. Some hybrids have very large, pendulous crops. I wouldn't be too worried at this stage. The main thing to check for is whether her crop is empty in the morning before she eats. If it is then she's fine. If it's full and hard then it may well be impacted. Just because it looks bigger/harder than the others doesn't necessarily mean that it IS impacted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 thanks - it's not at all hard in fact, just massive and as big as a tennis ball whereas the others' are much smaller....fed her a bit of olive oil tonight and gave her a massage so will see how she is in the morning....your advice is much appreciated, as is your patience with such a worrier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 well was up at 5.30 as could hear the scrum going on in the eglu! Iggy's crop is, if anything, bigger than last night and certainly harder. have got to work all day today so can't do the massaging etc till later. Hope the maggots arrive but will prob make vet's appointment for tonight or tomorrow just in case - hope he doesn't suggest surgery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 If it is still big and hard this morning (the crop that is!!! ) then it will probably be impacted crop; follow the instructions in the thread I mentioned and if it's not recoverign in 48 hours then best take her to the vet. Try to isolate her if you can so that she's not trying to eat any more and make sure that she has very little food, but plenty of water. Avipro in the water will help to keep her hydrated and dosed up with minerals and vitamins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 well I took Iggy to a lovely avian vet who keeps chickens himself who looked at every bit of Iggy and told me he thought she was fine, just a greedy guts. He says they all have different sized crops and that she seems alert and healthy so to keep an eye on her. am very relieved. My DD and I thought we should rechristen her Piggy! Thanks so much for all the advice though - if there's any change will update the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Good to hear that all is well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Glad to hear it Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 glad to hear she's ok, you were right to be alert to it though, and at least now you know what's 'normal' for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Just seen this post, so I'm a bit late, but I had exactly the same worries with Barbara, one of our gingers. I've treated her crop a couple of times now, but in all honestly, it's just the way she is! She always has a bulgy, greedy looking crop. There I was, putting olive oil down her throat with a syringe, and feeding her bowls of maggots (they all loved these though). But it seems to be normal for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 that's what I am beginning to think, Steph 101 = di your chicken also move her head weirdly? That's the only thing still worrying me - she moves it as though trying to clear a blockage in her throat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 just fed Iggy some yoghurt and pellets mixed as still not convinced she is ok and she regurgitateds what looked like wheatgrass juice as she was eating? Is this normal? I don't want to take her back to tthe vet to be told she is fine again - can't afford it for a start! And she is perky enough and laying. Am I being negligent? I have been feeding her maggots for 4 days now and there seems to be no difference....what would you guys do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I'd persist with the oil and massage for a bit longer. You can do the massage bit at night whilst she is drowsy. On some fora, they recommend massaging the plug upwards and out of the hens mouth, rather than downwards. Ginette had a lot of success with maggots, but had to persist for a long time, maybe that would work for you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
