Fox attacks - a list of what happened?

[shtw00724]

Hi and thanks to everyone who has responded about my ex-bat Gertie.

 

I checked last night and her breath didn't seem to smell. Tried the emptying the crop thing by holding upside down and massaging but nothing came out - could well be I wasn't doing it right.

 

Decided I would give her the daktarin gel anyway which was relatively easy as I squeezed it onto my finger and then dipped it in soft food.

 

I fed layers mash with some probiotic natural yoghurt, poultry spice and tuna. Put organic ACV in their water. They have access to oyster shell and mixed grit.

 

Gertie is not showing any signs of illness other than the swollen crop and being quite emaciated. She is feeding and drinking really well and is quite lively, though I understand chooks (as well as other animals) can hide their illnesses really well.

 

I noticed that she IS eating the long grass. Should I stop her free-ranging so she can't do that? Could that BE the problem? The crop isn't hard but could it be impacted as opposed to sour?

 

I guess the best thing is to take her to the vets (their is a specialist one not too far away from me) before she goes past the point of no return (if she hasn't already).

 

In the meantime, should I continue with the daktarin? (I assume perhaps wrongly that it won't do any harm?) Should I keep feeding her a soft diet? Should I stop her from free ranging and eating the grass? I am also giving tiny pieces of bread soaked in olive oil in their mash incase it's an impacted crop and may help.

 

Any further advice would be much appreciated.

 

Oh, had 3 eggs again yesterday. I am starting to wonder if Gertie hadn't been laying until recently? If a chook was really sick would it stop laying altogether?

 

Thanks for your patience with me.

 

Susie

[The Dogmother]

I'd take her to the vet as she may well have a blockage in her crop from all that long grass. It could be letting some food pass, but not enough.

 

You can clear a hard blockage by feeding her warm olive oil and massaging the crop, but if she's already very thin, then she needs vet attention sooner rather then later.

[Egluntyne]

I would take her to the vet. Sounds as if something is amiss in the crop.

 

Can you strim the long grass to which she has access?

[sandyhas3chucks]

how long has she been like this? If you haven't had an egg from her she could be blocked as mine was See post "the importance of seeing a vet" .

I have just lost one with crop problems similar to yours, and I thougt I had gone soonest.

So do as the experts have already advised, you won't get better advice than from them except maybe...... from the VET if it's a good one!