clucky chicken Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Hello again all - Poor Polly has definately got impacted crop - but wouldn't want to try things that people have suggested like draining with a tube as I'm afraid of huring her. I took her to the vets last week, who gave us some liquid paraffin and a syringe to try daily to get the mass to disperse, but to no avail - Polly won't even keep her head still whilst trying syringing the stuff into her beak! Have tried massaging, but it doesn't seem to help. She's still happy enough, drinking and eating, pooing and laying but the crop just seems to be getting bigger, and it's bald and quite red! In the morning it's a little softer, though not much. Am at my wits end, is the maggot remedy the next thing to try? Or should I try a different vet? (mine seems to know little about hens and is just reading stuff out of a book!) Sorry to go on a bit, but I'm so afraid of sticking tubes etc down her throat and hurting her! Please help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Dont make her sick, thats for sour crop and not sticking a tube in her seems a good idea Maggots would be the next thing to try if the oil and massage arent helping Any idea what caused it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Thanks - think the maggots will be the next treatment - not sure what caused it - they all freerange in the evening for an hour or so - I only noticed she had rather a large crop last week. Other hens are fine - so not sure why it's just Polly - but she seems fine in herself, so hope the maggots will help. Also read somewhere that yoghurt can help, although trying to hold her head still whilst trying to syringe stuff in her mouth is a nightmare! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - I'm so afraid of breaking her neck - but she's very strong and won't open her beak for anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 It might be a good idea not to try yogurt thats more for sour crop Just make sure she is getting a bit of water - if you 'headlock' her with your left arm using your body to block her sliding backwards (the worktop is an ideal height for this) and put your second and fourth fingers either side of her beak you should be able to use your middle finget to push her top beak up then side the two fingers in each side to stop it closing again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 just a note on getting her to keep still. When I've had to dose mine, I wait until they have roosted for the night and then pick one out and cover her head with a towel and shove her under my left arm. I can then hold the beak open and shove whatever medicine down them. You have to be firm and really hold them still though. I hope she is feeling better soon. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Thanks everyone for all your good advice - will try again tommorrow to get her in a headlock! By the way - I've not heard anyone else mention about the maggots - how many should I give her and will the maggots clear the blockage overnight - and will she just pass the blockage with the maggots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Grackle had this last year and I found she had been eating straw from the nest box. On Egluntine's advice I gave her oil every hour or two and kept trying to mush the mass with my fingers. I never got hold of the maggots but understand you give as many as they'll take. It took mine a few days to clear so keep at it. I know it can be removed surgically if it doesn't work but as others say a tube down them wouldn't do anything unless it was sourcrop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 Thanks everyone for all your advice - have been pushing water and maggots into her all afternoon - once to make sure she's hydrated and the other to help disperse the mass. - does anyone know how long the maggots will take? She seems a bit perkier today, and holding her in a headlock def helped!!! Seperated her from the others but not noticed much poo coming out at the moment, will the maggots come out the other end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Hi I'm a Maggot Fan ........I'm almost on first name terms with the bait shop near us I just offer her a pot of the revolting wriggling mass & let her help herself, I've never had one refuse them .....I can't say I've ever noticed any passing through, never really checked that closely if the truth be told If she's had the problem for a while, I'd just keep offering them for as long as the supply is there, they can't be any worse for her than worms/slugs etc, & I justify them in my tiny mind as a protein source with added benefits Keep her on easily digested food for a while so the crop doesn't impact again as soon as it's clear. I gave Buffie apple sauce with some added yoghurt when she had her first bout, she and the Bufflings loved it. She still had pellets & mash porridge available. Be aware though that as she's had it once & for a long time, she'll be prone in the future, the crop will lose it's spring & won't bounce back if it's been stretched for too long. As soon as you notice a problem, nip out for some maggots, keep her thoroughly watered & soggy food & it will clear again. I also used olive oil syringed in as a massage aid when she was really bad the first time, eventually they get used to being handled & syringed, they don't like it, just accept it Keep her away from long grass, straw.....anything which can tangle up & clog her crop really, prevention is definitely better than cure........make sure she has grit available too, that may help with breaking things up a bit. I hope she recovers quickly Sha x P.S. You get used to the maggots after a while & can even pick the ghastly creatures up with your fingers after a while if they are flung out of the pot by an over enthusiastic chook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hi again - Polly seems a bit funny this morning - by that I mean she's trying to stretch her neck to get the blockage out - so I've tried to administer more maggots but she's not interested now - also I syringe fed her some water and noticed that something was very smelly - so turned her upside down and some really revolting smelly yellow watery stuff came out. THe crop seems to be a bit smaller now so hopefully we're turning the corner? Could it be sour crop and impacted?? Have given her a rest now but she just wants to eat grass - so I've put her in a pen on the patio so she can't get any - still not eating the maggots, what should I do now? Will keep on with the water I assume? Try getting her to be sick again later maybe? Thanks for all your help everyone, this is all new to me, so not sure what I'm doing here - so your support is really really appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Sorry I don't know what to say now. Sounds like you are doing well. Hopefully someone else will be along to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I don't want to scare you as upending is often the best method of clearing sour crop, but I did watch a lady upend her girl & managed to drown her, just be careful that you only have her upside down for a few seconds at a time, she kept he upside down for longer than I was happy with, but she was more experienced than I at the time..............hindsight is a wonderful thing It makes sense to me that she could have a blockage caused by the impaction which is then causing sour crop on top, a revolting thought but I think it's definitely possible. Many people use daktarin as a treatment for sour crop, I never have as I've always had success with upending and home remedies. Try her with some yoghurt and bokashi mixed together, apple sauce is also a recognised remedy.....if you need to syringe it do through a big ended syringe so the mush doesn't jam up the hole! Flowers of sulphur is another excellent remedy. Offer her some maggots later, just because she didn't want them earlier she may change her mind & they won't do her any harm. I hope she feels better soon, it's very hard when you are guessing & they can't tell you if you are right Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Sha should you use bokashi if she's blocked, I think it would add to the matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I don't use very much, more for the probiotic benefits than anything else.........at least I think bokashi has probiotic benefits I think (I could be wrong here too though!) that it also would soak up some of the nasties in the crop which are now causing the sour crop problem in Polly. What a lovely subject for a Sunday lunchtime Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Well, I've done all I can today - I syringed lots of water into her, massaged a lot and held her upside down - the smelly yellow goo is still coming out - don't worry I haven't held upside down for very long - just a few seconds enough for her to bring the goo up She's looking very hunched up but has now eaten more maggots. I haven't fed her anything else yet - wasn't sure what to give her actually - is mash ok? Have put her back with her friends now, I think they and her were missing each other! They kept looking out from the bottom of the garden looking most concerned..... Hopefully she might be a bit better in the morning - how long do these things normally take? I think I was being a bit optimistic expecting it to be gone overnight - but I guess it takes a few days, the crop doesn't feel quite as big or hard now - hopefully I'm doing some good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Just one more thing - in case I have to take her to the vet again - does anyone know of any vets in the Wiltshire area that are chicken knowledgeable - wasn't that impressed by mine the other day - she was just quoting from a book....didn't seem very confident.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) Sorry people, I'm still asking for advice - as still not sure what to do about Polly - her crop has not diminished in size or feel despite giving loads of maggots yesterday, I have also given her some yoghurt with a little apple sauce but she doesn't seem to be very interested. Has eaten a little but not a lot. Still cramming her with maggots which she really relishes, and also massaging the crop - she's pooing a little now, I assume that's a good sign? She hasn't had a lot to eat, perhaps I should make up some really runny porridge made from mash and put some poultry spice in it to try to build up her strength - she's looking a little fed up and bored as she's been separated from the others and is in a pen all by herself - is there anything else I should do? I think I should take her back to the vets, but I would like to find one in my area that knows about chickens as mine is not very knowldgeable, I actually think I know more than she does! - can anyone help out here - I live in Wiltshire. Thanks for everyone's support by the way, I really appreciate it! Sorry to be a bit long winded but I'm really quite worried.... Edited February 15, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Sounds like summat is getting through, so it has started to move. Keep up the good work, and massage her crop as often as you can manage. Keep her diet fairly liquid and keep her away from stringy grass and similar and don't give them bread. Hope she shifts it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Blimey what a worry for you! Have you tried ringing round different vets to see if they know someone that deals with chickens? That's the only way I found one as most of the other ones I have seen were pretty clueless, the one I'm seeing now doesn't stock many meds for chickens though but at least she knows about chickens. Lots of luck xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Keep going Lynne, this didn't start over night so it will take a while to sort...if something's coming out the other end that's good in my book, I'd say things are on the move If she's not eating, try syringing some slop into her, she won't like it much, but will get used to it...I often find that once they've had a few syringy feeds they realise that eating for themselves is a much better option.....I'm thinking of an Orpington here & she is really not known for her braincells !! Keep going with the maggots if you've still got some, try a little rinsed tuna or lightly scrambled egg and some grapes/cucumber/sweetcorn to tempt her. I was advised when Buffie was first very very ill (starvation due to being an overly good mum & feeding babies not herself ) to syringe a slop made with egg yolk, cake crumbs, honey and yoghurt into her for a high energy boost.....she's still with us, so something from what I've advised you must have worked Sometimes if they are away from the others for too long, they can display "depression" signs which disappear when they go back to the flock, they are a very difficult bag of feathers to read I test the water so to speak by opening the door & watching their reactions...if they still appear sick I clean sick bay instantly & bring them back in, if they perk up, interact & feed with the others I leave them out & keep an eye on them, if the weather is too cold at night, then I often bring them back in at night & administer whatever TLC is needed. This approach has worked on several occasions Sorry I can't help with a vet in Wiltshire..have you posted a thread in Chickens requesting info (sorry I've seen some recently but can't remember who it was)? Have you any Life-Guard, Avipro or Nutri-Drops which would all give her a boost & are either administered through drinking water or a syringe direct to the beak..the first one can be used as a general tonic for all the flock, the last two are more of a boost for a poorly chook........extra vits, mins & probiotics.......wonderful items to have in the first aid box I think you need these too {{{hugs}}} Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 Sha - Many Thanks for your hugs - feel like I'm drowning at the moment, flailing about and getting nowhere! Any support is so much appreciated.. Haven't got any of the things you listed - can you get them anywhere or are they specialised things available only from vets? I have a Jollys pet store near me and a Pets at home so will have to have a hunt around and see if I can get some on the way home.. Fed yogurt with some runny porridge this morning which seemed to perk her up a bit, but she obviously needs building up - I'm at work at the moment so don't know how she's getting on - but my 16 yr old son is going out at regular intervals and massaging her, and then reporting back to me on her progress. She seems a bit better apparently and her tail is up and she's wandering round looking bored, so must be doing something right!!! Have asked on the chicken page for some vets - but if all else fails I will have to do a bit of ringing around..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I just read about a lady with a similar problem on another forum, someone suggested apple cider vinegar for sour crop and a couple of others agreed, i'm not sure if someone recommended it above but if not its worth a try You need to mix it with water, a teaspoon in a pint or so of water is quite a strong dose but not too strong so worth trying I bet Wadswick Feeds near Ashley would have it if you fancy a drive, it may be available closer (equestrian shops usually have it) but not so good with the Chippenham area sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 Thanks Redwing - I could try Countrywide - they are in Melksham and do equestrian feeds and bedding among other things, will try ringing them to see if they have any.... I will also try the apple cider vinegar - I usually put this in the chooks water a couple of times a week anyway, maybe make a mixture and syringe feed her with it? Hopefully things will get moving soon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 The life-guard you might get from one of those shops but not the Avipro nor Nutri-drops probably. I got my first pot of avipro from the vet & was charged through the nose...never again I got it from http://www.viovet.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Avipro&x=30&y=26 where the postage is only £1, they also sell Flubenvet for a reasonable price, so if you are planning a worming session, it may be worth adding that to your basket too! They are quite quick to deliver 1-2 days in my experience Unfortunately they don't sell Nutri-Drops, though I've just ordered 2 bottles from http://countryfayre-countrystore.co.uk/health-and-husbandry/nettex-total-poultry-solutions-range/nettex-nutri-drops-for-poultry/prod_826.html, the P&P was £6.95 I think for 2 bottles plus a tub of the Nettex Mineral Powder/Seaweedy supplement at the top of the Nettex list and an 8kg bucket of Stalosan which I didn't think too horrendous. I don't know what their delivery is like as it's the first time I've used them. I have a pot of Avipro which you are welcome to some of, though I don't think I could get it to you much quicker than Viovet if you order it now.....if you would like me to I can put a small bag in the post this afternoon & ....pm me your address asap. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I believe ACV and probiotic yoghurt are more for the treatment of sour crop? (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I think you're doing the right thing with the massaging to help break up the blockage though, don't try and make her sick though as that can cause more problems but I don't think you're doing that anyway? I currently have a chicken with a swollen chest so know how worried you are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
