Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Carrie99 on May 10, 2014, 18:45

Title: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Carrie99 on May 10, 2014, 18:45
Hi All,

Just after a little advice. My oldest ex-bat has been very lethargic now for going on a fortnight, she keeps picking up then appears to be looking unwell again, tail down, not moving much and eating, although not very interested. Today when I left for work she didn't eat anything (which they normally all rush to do on a morning) so I was extra concerned. Got back from work and she appeared to be hiccuping, still sat not doing much else. I read up a bit and thought maybe this could be an impacted crop, I picked her up and had a feel of her (which I have done already to try and check for anything untoward but thought it worth another go). I still wouldn't have said her crop felt too unusual, perhaps a little bouncy, but when i started to massage lightly and picked her up she was immediately sick - very watery fluid type sick, no food as such. I massaged a little longer and she appeared slightly more perky...

My questions are...should I look for any other symptoms? If it was a crop issue from the start wouldn't it have been worse by now...could this by a symptom of something caused as a result of another issue? And...should I try giving her olive oil?

Thanks in advance, I always find it awful when they're ill as I know it could be a million things but would hate to think it's something simple to cure and I'm not helping!

Carrie
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: bantam novice on May 10, 2014, 22:12
Does her breath and the discharge from her crop smell bad?  It could be sour crop rather than impacted.
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Carrie99 on May 10, 2014, 22:58
I checked when I was with her earlier and couldn't notice any odour at all?
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Trillium on May 10, 2014, 23:54
If you're not sure, you might find this helpful: HERE (http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html)
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: sussexchook on May 11, 2014, 09:50
1 trick I learned for impacted crop was to buy some maggots from a fishing tackle shop. Not only will the maggots eat there way through the problem but your ladies will love them.
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: joyfull on May 11, 2014, 10:17
if you use maggots then please make sure they are the natural ones not the dyed ones.
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: sussexchook on May 11, 2014, 10:32
Sorry forgot to mention just get the white maggots rather than the coloured.
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Carrie99 on May 11, 2014, 10:35
Thanks for replies. I've literally just read about the maggot idea and was mulling it over when I seen you had replied. Might pick some up tomorrow, i gave her crop a massage and turned her slightly downward today and she vomited some fairly disgusting gunk but she's still very lethargic, perhaps more than yesterday so I've got her inside at the moment. Should I repeat the massage technique throughout the day?
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: nerdle on May 11, 2014, 21:53
Hello - I'm no expert but we had this recently.  two panicky trips to the vet and if its not solid it will go through and she'll be fine.
I lifted my girl up and leaned forward gently 'milking' her crop and got her to sick up as much gunk as poss - in short doses so she could breathe.
Also - the live maggots - she wouldnt touch them at first but then - bingo - she wanted them and over a few days she came right. She need her grit to help her digestion.

Hang in there!!!!
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Carrie99 on May 12, 2014, 19:46
Finding white maggots is a task isn't it? I tried three fishing type shops today and no white ones to be found as yet. She is however picking up, much better today and stropping about with a little attitude back so I'm hoping the emptying of the crop method  is working. I'd like to get the maggots just to be on the safe side though, my quest continues!
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: joyfull on May 13, 2014, 12:43
I thought they all would have had un-dyed ones  :unsure:
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: Carrie99 on May 13, 2014, 21:23
I'm clueless on such things. My partner reckons maggots are more for fresh water fishing maybe and as I live on the coast perhaps they're less in demand?! I've found another shop near work so will try there tomorrow though.
Title: Re: Poorly hen...impacted crop?
Post by: loretta cluck on May 14, 2014, 09:55
If you're really struggling to find white maggots, I'd get the coloured ones anyway.  I did this when I first started with hens and there were no issues other than having a few eggs that the yolks were tainted red.  Didnt look very appetising, but the main thing was getting rid of the bulk in my hens crop, and getting her better.  It worked.   I always ask for white ones now, but did buy several batches of the coloured ones in my novice days, but with no harm caused to my girls.