Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[mammapajama]

I took Abrahen Lincoln to the vet two weeks ago for her feather loss and lethargy. He gave her a shot for mites and two weeks of antibiotics. She didn't seem to improve much and when I noticed her gagging constantly I looked that up. Now that I know what it is, her crop is HUGE and Squishy! She also vomited on me earlier this week when I was tring to give her her medicine (before I knew about sour crop). I now think she has been pulling out her own feathers in her discomfort, as most of feather loss is on breast and some on neck.

 

When I tell you this crop is huge, it is the size of two of my fists. I took her in for the first time last night and she pooed a bit but perhaps not as much as a healthy chicken would have.

 

Please-any advise on sour/impacted crop would be appreciated. We don't have a real poultry vet in the area, and I don't think I trust the guy we brought her to the other week. Is this crop too big to be vomited? I held her upside down for a bit (I don't even really know what that means: should she be inverted so belly is in the air or just tipped so head points down?) to no avail.

 

Thanks to all you much more experienced chicken owners!

[Egluntyne]

Some advice **here**. Good luck.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I followed the above advice exactly when Molly had sour crop and she recovered completely .

 

Good luck . Keep us posted.

[mammapajama]

Thanks-I had read that thread but it is so big and I wasn't able to get her to vomit more than a few tablespoons. will feed her yogurt tomorrow. I've read all of thes stories about people operating on their own hens but I don't think I can do it. I just hope I can keep her comfortable (and alive) until the "odd pet vet" is available in 3 days...

[PeckyBeak]

Hi mammaspajama, you need to try litle and often to get her to vomit if she still feels watery/squishy, and give her time to recover and let her lift her head to get her breath. Its is easier if you stand her on something work surface height, have her standing up and put your right arm over her back around to her crop ready to massage upwards, holding her body fairly upright but hold her head down with your left arm over the back of her neck. Then gently massage her crop upwards. Good Luck.

[mammapajama]

Thanks so much for the advice. I am afraid that she could never have vomited up this mess. We used Straw for a winter bedding in their run and looks like she ate a whole bale. Surgery today. I'll post a photo of the mess the vet took out if I can. She's happy and hungry now!