counturchickens Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 So, to follow on to an earlier post we took CJ to the vet, who reckons an impacted crop, not sour crop. He kind of mentioned that I might consider having her pts, but agreed to try antibiotic and we are trying olive oil and massage. She does seem a little better after syringing water, olive oil and watered down yoghurt. Vet was dismissive about trying maggots, but i have seen a few recommendations on here. What does everyone think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I have had success in the past with live maggots . If you are going to try them, make sure they're the white ones as they haven't been dyed Some useful info here http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=25052 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 After bringing CJ back from the vet, Ainsley seems a bit down. Checked her crop this morning, and it seems like she might have something in there too. Feel awful, they don't have access to long grass, but were out in the garden a lot at the weekend. They are newly freed ex batts, so could they have just eaten too much? They also had sweetcorn and kale at the weekend, could this be the culprit? Going to try White maggots today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Sometimes they just eat far too much, the crop stretches and doesn't empty as well. Stop feeding them for 24 hours, give them water laced with ACV and/or Avipro, drip warm olive or cod liver oil into her beak 3-4 times a day and massage the crop. Feed them on live maggots when they will take them. See how they are after 24 hours and if it isn't loosening, take them to a more chicken-savvy vet who will help. Try not to feed them anything else for a maximum of 3 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I don't think you have anything to lose by trying them with live maggots. I suspect they've just gone mad eating everything in sight just because they can and are now suffering the consequences. Hope they're feeling better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Sometimes they just eat far too much, the crop stretches and doesn't empty as well. Stop feeding them for 24 hours, give them water laced with ACV and/or Avipro, drip warm olive or cod liver oil into her beak 3-4 times a day and massage the crop. Feed them on live maggots when they will take them. See how they are after 24 hours and if it isn't loosening, take them to a more chicken-savvy vet who will help. Try not to feed them anything else for a maximum of 3 days. What she said Clarets method has worked for me in the past Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 Thanks all. I was feeling really bad, being a bad chicken owner. Ainsley looks a bit better, and has laid an egg this morning - waiting for an update from the OH on how the maggots are going - he is 'working' from home today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Good news! Yes, I work from home too and it's torture on a beautiful day like this. At least i can take my coffee breaks outside with the chooks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Glad to hear that it sounds more positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Worked for me too - they do tend to stuff their little faces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share Posted April 29, 2011 So far, so good. Ainsley seems fully recovered. Cj is still looking sad, but crop seems to be going down, and she has eaten a little bit today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 That sounds positive, try to keep their diet fairly liquid at the moment and with plenty of ACV and/or probiotics. Some scrambled egg would be good and mealworms too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 CJ now lots better, thanks for all the advice. If anyone picks this up later then do try the olive oil and maggots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Good news it's rare that that treatment doesn't fix it, only if there's a growth or blockage further down the digestive system, such as a tumour or gastric stasis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 That's great news, glad you're girls are feeling better . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffypigs Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Does this maggot remedy work for bantams? They only have small beaks and I'm wondering whether they could eat a maggot whole. Does anyone know how big the maggots are? I'm on a very steep learning curve with these chooks, there seams to be no end to their ailments. Every night i'm doing something different with a chicken - bathing, blowdrying, rubbing cream in their feet and now massaging them with olive oil. Husband is getting very jealous! Actually I think he might draw the line at pots of live maggots in the fridge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Yes it works for bantams I've just treated a friend's bantam for blocked and sour crop, it ate literally hundreds of maggots, all whole, no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 if you do keep maggots in the fridge, do make sure there aren't any holes in the bag..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffypigs Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 I'm now the owner of a pint of live maggots! The postman was amused, the children were fascinated, and the chickens gobbled and gobbled and gobbled them up. I just hope they work on Pippin she's not looking so great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
