The Dogmother Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I would leave her to be for a bit and see how she gets on; the crop problems may be indicative of something amiss further down her digestive system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 She's had a lovely day with her friends generally doing chicken things Her crop is full right now and feels normal but I can still feel the lump inside. I'm hoping that as today is her first full day with some food that maybe the lump might work its way out along with the food. If it is overfull by the time I get back from work tomorrow and I can still feel the lump then we will definitely go to the vets - actually even if I can't feel the lump - and see what they say. I found a chicken vet listed in Your Chickens that is not far from us, do I try them or stick to my usual vet who is always good ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 If your usual vet is good with chickens and have seen her before I would go there. If not, give the avian vet a ring and see what they suggest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Glad Gemma's had a good day. Fingers crossed for an empty crop in the morning. (I'd say same as Lewis re. vets) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 Hubby took Gemma to the vets for me this morning with a description of what has been going on. Apparently the vet did something and she produced a lot of very stinky sick which went everywhere. He decided like me, that the lump needed something else so he operated on her crop a bit later. The operation was a success in terms of emptying the crop but he said she was not out of the woods yet. He was amazed at what was in there and I'd asked if he could keep it to show me when we picked her up. It is disgusting He warned me not to open the bag !!! He reckoned it could have been there for a year It looks like the contents of a hoover mixed with a bit of water. I weighed it at 50 g Poor little thing. No wonder I couldn't massage it out. She has stitches so I just hope she doesn't get curious and try to nibble them. She is sleeping at the moment and she has had some water but I was wondering if she should have any food yet, the nurse suggested pellet porridge but didn't say when ? The vets are going to put her on their facebook page as an unusual pet I hope she is feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Well, at least it's out now which is good! If she seems awake enough then I think some soft food would be ok, I don't remember my vets ever saying to withold food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Oh blimey - poor old Gemma No wonder she's been feeling a bit rough. I wonder if that is the reason for many of her health problems. Sounds like you've got a great vet there. I really hope she gets better. How did she seem after the operation? Has she been awake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 Sounds like you've got a great vet there. I really hope she gets better. How did she seem after the operation? Has she been awake? We went to our usual vet - he is a star She looks quite perky considering, although she hasn't moved from the spot I put her on. I imagine she is quite sore - don't know if they get any painkillers ? All the nurses were very excited about 'the pretty chicken' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 All the nurses were very excited about 'the pretty chicken' Well I'm glad she's dazzled Yes I expect she's a bit sore - make sure you keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Better out than in, as they used to say. Did they give yo u any Metacam to give her for the pain? I would give her some NutriDrops and a bit of water tonight, keep her warm, and then start on pellet mash in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Glad to hear she is sorted and back home! She may be a little sore but if they've said she can have pellet porridge the calories will help her recover. She may have had long acting antibiotics and pain relief. Hope she stays that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Oh wow, poor girl. I hope she makes a speedy recovery. I wonder if the vet staff will be considering getting chickens now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 How is Gemma this afternoon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 How is Gemma this afternoon? Gemma is doing fine She has had a little bit more pellet porridge today. She has done plenty of poo so things must be working well. I did manage to see her stitches and everything looked healthy enough. We have had a lovely cuddle this afternoon and I think she was pleased not to be squished all over. She seems to be back to her normal self She has been very lucky to survive and although expensive it was definitely the right thing to do. I was wondering how safe the Dengi chicken bedding actually is though - I have been giving it to them to play in. The last sack I bought was quite chopped up but the new sack I opened recently was a lot longer so I'm wondering if that could have caused the problem. I also gave them some apples and am worried that Gemma gorged on them and that may have caused it. And can I give them the wrong grit ? Mine have very small grit - does the size of it matter ? I'm feeling quite responsible that I caused her problem somehow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I'm so pleased she's back to normal Do you have to keep her on her own while she has stitches? I'm sure it's nothing you've done. Certainly nothing recent as the vet said it could have been there for a year. I don't think it's completely necessary to have grit at all if they mainly eat pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Glad to hear she's doing well! Too much apple I would have thought would cause sour crop rather than an impaction as I would expect it to ferment. As for grit I think most poultry grit is sized for adults unless specified otherwise, I had to go online to get 'growers' sized grit. You say the vet gave you the blockage - can you identify the substance without opening the bag? Whilst it's wise to review their living arrangements try not to blame yourself for this, sometimes things just happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I'm not familiar with that bedding, but it's best to stick to summat short; i use Aubiose. Small amounts of apple are fine... the acidity is beneficial and will help prevent sour crop. As with any fruit though, avoid an excess. Hope that she continues to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 I'm not familiar with that bedding, but it's best to stick to summat short; i use Aubiose Think I spelt the bedding wrong anyway - thinks it's more like Denghi Fresh Bed. It is specially for chickens and smells nice but keeps flies away. Jimnpaula what the vet gave me just looks like matted sludge. I can definitely see bits of feather but the rest does look like mushed up pellets with what could be the bedding mixed in and kind of 'fusing' it together. As I said before, it looks like the contents of a hoover. Have had a bit of an emergency at home with my Mum, who went into hospital yesterday afternoon, so have had no choice but to put Gemma back with the others this morning so we can visit later. Thanks for all the reassurances that it is not my fault but when you can see they have no access to outside it does make me wonder if it was something I did xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Wow, just read this thread and have to say you have done a sterling job! Hard to say if bedding caused it but I'd guess not as I use a pine infused bedding and been ok? Hope wee chook does ok and your relative. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Hope your mum and Gemma are both ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 Thank you both for your wishes. Gemma looks fine this morning although I haven't prodded her to see what she feels like and we're off back down to Portsmouth again in a bit to see my Mum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 Well, a week on , and I think Gemma is Ok . She still seems to have the odd bit of neck movement like she is clearing her throat but I haven't noticed her do it so much today. Her stitches look good and I did give her a very gentle little massage yesterday just to make sure things felt all right. I spoke to Dengie about their Fresh Bed bedding and they were very helpful but they said they couldn't be responsible for a chicken eating the bedding, but they are going to send me a refund on the 2 sacks that I have but now can't use. I will now only ever use soil in their run and aubiose in their house. Trouble is, I keep finding little bits of bedding turning up all over the place. Fingers crossed she doesn't get a taste for the aubiose instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Really glad she's ok. Tougher than we think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 You've done well, really glad she is doing well. Hope your mum is ok too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 You've done well, really glad she is doing well.Hope your mum is ok too. My Mum is still in hospital She is much better than she was and might come out after the week end, but who knows ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
