Jen&Rog Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Booo, it looks like we have sour crop (+/-impacted crop) - it's very full, quite hard but puffy, like a balloon, and looks red. She's been wiggling her head/neck funnily for a couple of days, and I've only just managed to get her out to have a proper look. I've been looking up the best ways to treat - anyone have any tried-and-tested methods? I am reluctant to try squeezing anything out, but a day off food will be a good start (she's a healthy hen so she's a decent weight), and I might see if I can get something from the pharmacist for oral thrush.. Any other words of wisdom? I think she has been eating the straw I put in their nest.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I had a bantam orp with a hard lump in her crop, I got natural maggots and gave her a handful a couple of times a day and restricted everything else for 24 hours except for fluids. She then had a squishy smelly crop which I treated with daktarin oral gel and probiotic yogurts. She made a good recovery and that was over six months ago, I do keep an eye on her though as she is incredibly greedy. I hope yours is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 We have had cases of an impacted crop feeling like a sour crop, because of all the fluid around the lump Jen&Rog. Feeding maggots for impacted crop (or any other reason) is not advisable because of Botulism. If you eat the eggs you are at serious health risk I am told. Draining the crop without the proper equipment (turning the bird upside down and squeezing it out) risks suffocation of the bird. The poos will tell you the problem. No poo or just thin paste and water are impaction, slimy (you will know when you move it) watery poos in quantity are sour crop. Impacted crop give 0.5mL per Kg bodyweight of Olive oil and massage frequently (every few hours) during the day until poos are normal. This may take several days. Sour crop isolate and water only for 24-48 hours. Again massage frequently to work the stuff through the system. If that doesn't solve it things get a bit more complicated and I can explain. We've had dozens of both and not lost any birds yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thank you or your suggestions. I have been examining the poos(!) and think we have our first case of sour crop. I have her in isolation for a second day and will be massaging frequently. She's bright & perky so hopefully will make a good recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Sour crop sometimes, but not always, comes with bad breath Jen&Rog. After 48 hours return her to the flock (at night is best) and let her eat as normal. Then watch the poos next night. If sour crop quickly becomes evident (like in the next week or so) I need to explain the use of Epsom Salts and then Probiotic yoghurt. If I had known how much time I was going to spend examining chicken poo I probably wouldn't have got chickens. I initially thought you just feed and water and then eat loads of eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I know someone who swears by Epsom salts I have a tub in my cupboard but as yet haven't used it so cant say if it works or not leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Beantree, the maggots are sterile and bred in sterile conditions, to have botulism they have to had fed on a carcass etc of an animal that had botulism, also have to be the uncoloured ones, my breeder and several on here advised it and it did the trick as they ate the compaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I can't say that I have ever had any problems using maggots either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
