Muppet81 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Henrietta is an old lady (ex batt) and the matriach of my little flock. She has of late begun to look a little tired and I know she is not likely to have long left. Really wanted her to make it to the spring to make up for the rotten winter she has endured. I have noticed today that she has started, every so often, to make sudden and quite violent movements with her head and shoulders. Sometimes to the left and sometimes to the right. She is eating and drinking very much as normal. Has anyone seen this in their ladies or have any idea what it may be? Unfortunatley my chicken friendly vet is on holiday this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bexter Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Sounds like a crop problem.My ex-batt has sour crop,almost all the time & a few times a week I have to massage it whilst holdiding her head down(yes,it is as difficult as it sounds!!)& make her sick.When you massage her crop it should feel lumpy/grainy,don't be afraid to be quite firm with the massage & break up the lumpiness,a brown,yeasty smelling liquid will be sicked up & should stop her doing the head thing.If you find it's not getting any better over the next couple of days,take her to the vet,as the crop can get impacted & she could die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet81 Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 I wondered about an impacted crop but the movement does not look the same. It is a bit like a dance move the young do now. That cool jerk of the head and neck to one side. Probably worth trying the massage though. Will wait for OH to get home as it sounds like a 2 handed job. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I wondered about an impacted crop but the movement does not look the same. It is a bit like a dance move the young do now. That cool jerk of the head and neck to one side. Probably worth trying the massage though. Will wait for OH to get home as it sounds like a 2 handed job. Thanks yes that sounds just like sour crop to me, what does it feel like? soft and squishy? please don;t be complacent as it can kill and it is like drowning to death. Well worth following the advice on emptying only a little at a time and lots of car as it can kill them too if they inhale the liquid you are trying to get out. Then Nystatin which is prescription only is needed.. Maggots too I have recently heard are not only great for blocked crop but also sour as they eat the yukky stuff. Worth popping a few down her throat too if she won't eat them on her own. Also no pellets. nothing sweet. Plain live yoghurt ASV or Citricidal in her water will all help Pureed apples if she will eat them (baby food?) i also used flowers of sulpher. once but had trouble finding clear instructions. the main thing right now is to get some of it out for tonight. Some vets will crop drain and then use things to neutralise the crop. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Is she any better today? Our Dorothy had this problem, and we had to 'drain' her. It's IMPORTANT to do a little at a time - she'll still need to breathe! Maggots are FANTASTIC for crop problems and are very cheap - get them from a fishing/bait shop. Good luck Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet81 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thank you so much for your advice. OH and I tried to "drain" Henny but there did not seem to be anything there. Unless we were doing it wrong. She seems quite bright and is just occasionaly doing the head movement but she does look old and a bit tired. Will try the maggots and will have another go at "draining" later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckyBeak Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Hi Muppet81, sour crop can mean an impaction further down. See my recent post on Impacted crop -operation, it started with sour crop and we drained it several times but it wouldn't go away. You say she is eating drinking normally, is it coming out the other end normally? We did'nt try the maggot method so will be interested to know how you get on but as sandyhas3chucks and Bexter said, don't be complacent, sometimes a vet needs to deal with it. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet81 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 She is pooing - not masses - small amounts of mustardy coloured poo. Lovely subject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet81 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Maggot shop only open on saturday. It is all waiting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Unless we were doing it wrong. Hold her like bagpipes under your armpit. . You'll need to hold her neck and head below her body, (Think teapot) AND WEAR OLD CLOTHES!!!!! God luck Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enpekt Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Hahaha! Lavender doesn't like being disturbed after going to bed, so saves a big poop. Filled my jacket pocket last night! Good aim! Morale - wear old clothes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet81 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 I don't like to tempt fate but Henny seems much improved today. Eating, drinking and pooing normally and the head movement does not seem to be there now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Maybe she was rearranging the contents of her crop. They do a sort of Michael Jackson impression. If it had been sour crop, her breath would have smelt terrible. Nice to see you on the forum again Muppet81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
