Chicken bald back

[christyrose12]

The other day I notice my ex batt shaking her turning her neck quite violently. Thought she was having a stroke but then she'd carry on preening. Gave her a once over and her crop was rock hard. Have tried massaging it since and today it is still big but quite spongy and I can feel grains in there. Is this good that is is now spongy and not hard?

[The Dogmother]

Have a read of the impacted crop thread in the FAQ section

[christyrose12]

Hi. Yes I had already read it but that is for when the crop is hard to touch isnt it? If it now feels spongy does that mean it isnt compacted anymore and that she is alright?

[The Dogmother]

Is it empty in the morning and full at night?

[christyrose12]

I felt it at about 5pm. I'll have a feel in the morning when I let them out. If its empty that is okay? But if it is still full and squishy then its compacted and I should syringe some warm olive oil into her? It is alot softer than it was on Saturday and she is eating okay.

[The Dogmother]

It should be empty in the morning and full at night. A full, healthy crop should have some give in it when squeezed. If it is quite hard and still full in the morning,then I'd follow the directions for impacted crop in the FAQ section, Start by withholding food for 24 hours and giving her plenty of water with poultry tonic in it, then follow the massage and maggots routine.

[christyrose12]

Thankyou. I'll see how she is in the morning.

[christyrose12]

Her crop was a hard lump again this morning. I've been doing abit of research and someone recommended putting oil in with scrambled egg. Do you know how much oil you are meant to give them?

[The Dogmother]

I wouldn't suggest adding any more food to the crop - starve for 24-36 hours, give (syringe if she won't take it) water with a good poultry tonic in it. Trickle a little oil into her beak and massage her crop 3 times a day to loosen the blockage, feeding maggots will help to break up the blockage..

 

Check that she's pooing.

[christyrose12]

Well, I thought she'd passed it earlier. I've been giving her liquid paraffin and massaging and today it felt as though it had gone soft but when I went to put her to bed it was a hard lump again so I really dont know whats going on. Off to the vets in the morning. The only food she has had since yesterday morning are tomatoes. Somebody said it stops the crop going sour and I put the oil on them as it was easier to get it into her. Anyway I dont know whats going on. Where do you get maggots from?

[The Dogmother]

Her crop will be full in the evening if she has eaten anything, so see how it is in the morning.

 

Keep up the massaging. You can get maggots from any fishing tackle shop, or online.