Single hen

[beach chick]

this probably sounds really ignorant, but having been browsing lately have found lots of people mentioning crop problems, and I wouldnt know where to start!!! so in the spirit of being prepared....

 

here are some v. basic questions:

- where exactly is the crop? (is it the belly between the legs?)

- what should a normal crop feel like?

- what are the abnormal signs?

- could you diagnose a crop problem just by looking or is a physical exam essential?

- how do you massage the crop?

- when should you decide you need olive oil/maggots/vet?

 

thanks very much in advance!

[Egluntyne]

this probably sounds really ignorant, but having been browsing lately have found lots of people mentioning crop problems, and I wouldnt know where to start!!! so in the spirit of being prepared....

 

here are some v. basic questions:

- where exactly is the crop? (is it the belly between the legs?)

- what should a normal crop feel like?

 

Like a bag of wet grit

 

- what are the abnormal signs?

 

If it is absolutely rock hard, not going down overnight, the hen is losing weight and not pooing after a few days and is listless -----> impacted.

 

If it is large, feels like a balloon full of liquid and the hen's breath smells ----> sour crop, which can often come on after an episode of impacted crop.

- could you diagnose a crop problem just by looking or is a physical exam essential?

 

You would need to hold the hen and examine her thoroughly.

 

- how do you massage the crop?

 

By rubbing it gently but firmly to try to disperse the contents.

 

- when should you decide you need olive oil/maggots/vet?

 

I would give the olive oil at the first suspicion. If that plus massage don't make a difference, then the maggots. No improvement after a couple of days -----> Vets

 

thanks very much in advance!

 

Link to Claret's article **Click**

[Olly]

Don't be embarrased about asking, it took me ages to work out exactly where it was, and even longer to get used to how it should feel!

 

It is worth grabbing a hen and having a feel every so often, so you get used to how full/empty it is at different times of day and so on.

 

That's a brilliant diagram Egluntine, I think we should stickify that!

[beach chick]

thank you for this - I had NO idea that's where the crop is!!!!

[Plum]

Impressed Egluntine I didn't know you were an artist.

 

Just to add beach chick it can be on the right or left. Have you found the ears yet that took me a while to work out.