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[likeastar--x]

Today when I went to let the chickens out this morning Lula came up to me and threw up a brown liquid. When I checked her crop was also full, but it wasnt hard, more soft and broken down. Shes perfectly happy and is pecking around, but is this a bad problem?? im not in a position for the next week to take her to the vets!

 

Thanks

Edited November 4, 2008 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

I would keep checking that hshe is eating and drinking over the course of the day.

 

The occasional massage won't harm.

 

If her crop is full first thing, then she might have a blockage of some sort. A swig of olive oil or liquid paraffin and plenty of massage should help.

 

A handful of undyed fisherman's maggots three or four times a day will help shift the blockage if it is caused by a plug of vegetable matter.

[likeastar--x]

its 3 days later and her crop still hasnt emptied. its still not hard but its HUGE and lopsided and obvious. i dont know what to do!!!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

could she have sour crop?

My only knowledge of it is from reading posts. I "think" apple cider vinegar helps . But dredging my brain I think Nystatim? can be used but there will be an expert along to put us straight about that

[Christian]

I would try and get some water into her and then take her to the vet.

 

Hope she is better soon.

[alih]

I would take her to the vet as soon as you can. Crop problems can make them go downhill quickly.

[Egluntyne]

Any update?

[likeastar--x]

Lulas not looking too great

 

I thought she might have sour crop because her crop was squishy rather than hard and she was still eating and drinking. I made her throw up and though she did we barely made a dent to the sheer mass of her crop. For a while afterwards she kept lifting her head up in a 'swallowing' motion like they do when they drink water, which made me worry we had choked her

 

Today shes been worse, shes kept to herself inside the run rather than outside with the others, and she isnt pecking around, though she is drinking water. She seems a bit miserable Also shes about twice the size that she was last time i saw her, although maybe thats unrealted..?

 

I want to try a home remedy before taking her to the vets, and even then i cant take her until saturday/sunday, because its quite a way away and my boyfriend took my car on holiday .

 

I smelt her breath and im not sure if it was because i didnt do it right but it didnt smell bad, though i only sniffed her head as a lot of sick has been coming out of that mouth . I still think it must be sour crop as i have no idea what else it would be im not keen on making her sick again so im going to try and make her have some live yoghurt and hope for the best

[Egluntyne]

I think you must try and get her to a vet as soon as possible.....today if you can.

 

Making her throw up will be very traumatic for her, and isn't without danger. She will be getting very weak, dehydrated and will lose weight.

 

The blockage might be caused by something that can't be shifted by home remedies, and as there has been no improvement and possibly a deterioration after 4 days, she needs a professional opinion.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I'm with Egluntine here. sounds like she might be too weak by Sat if she makes it that long, isn't there someone nearny that could drive you?

[likeastar--x]

If shes any worse tomorrow I will try begging someone to take her, but its just about the distance im forcing someone to drive really Theres a vet nearer by that will see her, but they know nothing about chickens, they just take in anything that goes through the door, so they could do my bantams dislocated leg. could they prescribe the anti-fungal antibiotics if i tell them what they are???

 

shes a bit perkier now the trauma of throwing up has died down a bit. its really strange, when i put down food she keeps throwing up before eating, then gobbles as much food as she can i dont know if thats good, but i dont want to discoarage her from eating!! shes drinking normally which is good. shes scratching and pecking with the other girls this afternoon. Lump hasnt got bigger. later im going to get her out and feed her some actimel and see if that helps her. i cant think of much else i can do

[Alfred]

the longer you leave it the less likely the vet will be able to do anything to help, also the more expensive it will probably be.

as well as your poor chicken suffering and getting dehydrated and losing weight.

Get a taxi if you have to!

[Egluntyne]

Please take her to the vet. Tomorrow, if you can't get her seen tonight.

 

It sounds as if she has a blockage which is not responding to treatment, which could be caused by factors other than a plug of vegetable matter.

 

They would be unlikely to prescribe anti fungal agents, or anything else for that matter, without seeing the animal. For one thing they would be breaking the law now that new regulations have come into force.

[likeastar--x]

oh goddd i appreciate she needs to go to a vets but its just not possible until saturday/sunday. i will definatly take her but shes not losing weight and shes still drinking at the moment - obviously if either of these changed then the situation would be more urgent.

 

is there anything i can do for her in the meantime??? oil? massage?? i feel like a bad owner i would take her if i could.

[sandyhas3chucks]

where abouts are you? I bet there is someone that would take you?

[likeastar--x]

im in essex and the nearest poultry vet is 2 hours away. theres no-one who can take me for that long a journey because all the family is on holiday and its just me and my sister at home. i cant get a taxi or get a lift off a neighbour - i dont know them as i dont live here and the taxi will cost about 50 pounds. ifs shes alive sunday i can take her to the vets, but thats getting more unlikely as people arent offering me any advice to help her now and are just telling me to take her to the vets. i know thats the best option but as ive said a few times now, its really not possible. im really concerned for her so could someone please tell me if theres something i can do for her? thanks

Edited November 7, 2008 by Guest

[sandyhas3chucks]

i thionk they aren't telling you because ther isn't anything else that can be done. keep her warm, keep her drinking , love her. & pray really.....

[Egluntyne]

TBH I think we have given all the advice possible in the home remedy department.

 

From what you say, she hasn't improved, in fact she appears worse.

 

If I were you I would take her to the local vet, who will be able to at least give advice, or put her to sleep if s/he thinks there is no hope or that the hen is suffering.

 

Sorry to be blunt, but sometimes things don't always work out, and the time comes when you have to take decisive action.

 

On the other hand it might be something simple and easily treatable.

 

Why not put her in a cardboard box and take her on the bus if you can't get a lift.

 

 

No-one is holding back with advice or home remedies.....

[sandyhas3chucks]

How is she today, I know it is tough but as Egluntine said get her to a vet ANY vet, you could call your 2 hour away vet & get them to advise nearer vet if need be. Many treatments are a standard chook type which the nearby vet CAN find out.

You really must NOT let her suffer... Perhaps you can call the RSPCA, you might find they will provide a volunteer to transport you both! Or inform you of a good vet nearer!!!

Essex isn't so rural is it?

there may even be an animal rescue center that will help you... get on the phione & ring round ASAP.

[sandyhas3chucks]

you are now saying a Sunday trip to the vets... You do realise that the cost of this alone will probably be the same as a Sunday consult? I have just re read the thread, just you & your sister at home and boyfriend has taken your car? right? well you MUST have friends sureluy, if you are of an age to drive you must have friends that you habg out with and these friends have parents with cars.... I don't think you are thinking clearly.... Ask one of them that has an animal & I am sure any human being with an ounce of compassion will take you with just paying for the petrol.

You may have realised that thias ythread is upsetting a ;ot of us.

[Happy Hennie]

Rather late in the thread - but it definitely sounds like soured crop. You don't need a poultry vet, any vet can prescribe what you need. Nystatin (you need a prescription but take it directly to a chemist - it's much cheaper) and possibly Baytril (again this needs a prescription) depending on whether it's fungal or bacterial. I think at this stage you must treat for both. Her crop should be gently emptied before medicine and give it 10 / 15 minutes before allowing your hen to eat. Avoid whole grains - moist layers mash and yoghurt. Don't give yoghurt at the same time as Baytril - it inhibits the Baytril.

Baytril can be purchased much more cheaply online with a prescription. I've used Viovet in the past.

I add GSE (grapefruit seed extract) to all my hens water - I think it would be a good idea for your girl.

Good luck - I've been there and it was a steep learning curve.

Claire

[Happy Hennie]

Avoid whole grains - moist layers mash and yoghurt.

Sorry, I meant to say

- give your hen moist layers pellets/mash and yoghurt.

Claire

[likeastar--x]

Sorry sorry sorry!!

I felt really bad so I ended up taking her on the bus to the local vet, who told me they dont do chickens. i dont know this area as im house sitting while my family is on holiday.

anyway i begged them to see her to see if they could tweeser out any plugs for me. they had a good look but said they couldnt feel any hard mass so there was nothing to remove !

 

soo i didnt know what to do so i decided rater than make her sick again id give her some oil and try to get it down her. i soaked some bread in oil and she gobbled it up, and i gave it a good massage, and this afternoon when i got back from work it was a whole lot smaller, and didnt feel as squishy. I gave her some moist pellets (i didnt want to give her too much of a challenge - thanks to the person that adviced that) and she took them dow fine and pooped for the first time in days !

 

so lula looks like shes going to be okay, which is a relief! im sorry if i upset anyone, its just because i was panicking as i didnt want my family to come home to find one of their pets dead under my care!! thanks for all your advice

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That sounds hopeful . Well done - taking a chicken on a bus must have been an adventure . Did you have to pay half fare for her .

 

You're doing a grand job - keep it up!

[sandyhas3chucks]

That sounds hopeful . Well done - taking a chicken on a bus must have been an adventure . Did you have to pay half fare for her .

 

You're doing a grand job - keep it up!

yes well done, shame on the vets for not trying to be helpful, someone in your family needs to do a ring around of vets, ther surely has to be one nearer than 3 hours away. So worrying for everyone.

exactly where in essex... someone else may be able to tell you of good vet(that happened to me!)