[jo40]

Hi some advice would be much appreciated

A little welsummer I acquired has suffered with lice and worms, she is now completely bald on her back end but after treatments I thought she was looking much better.
However, on noticing that she seems more hunched than the others and after close inspection I think she has an impacted crop. It feels very hard and will more around, almost like she has swallowed a golf ball.   

I have read about using olive oil and rubbing the area carefully, would this be ok to try on a young bird?

She is perky and pecking the ground all the time, but is has never been interested in growers or crumbs only corn (not letting her have any now), she also manages to pull out plenty of worms.

Should I put her into a run so that she cant free range to limit what she eats?
I have read that feeding soft moist food helps, any suggestions?

Thanks Jo 

[kimT]

If you are absolutely sure it’s an impacted crop then syringe some olive oil down her beak gently and massage the crop to soften it up and hopefully it will work it’s self through but you will have to do it quite a few times. Only feed her soft food natural yoghurt is good and don’t let her eat grass as this can make matters worse.

Is she pooing at all and if so what is it like?

Good luck and keep us posted.

[jo40]

Thanks for reply
I have tried olive oil once, how many times can I do this in a day?
Her poo looks normal, she is separated now, in a little house/run on tarmac.
A vet has recommended starving her for 24 hours, giving her only water with a teaspoon of sugar in it.
I have made an appointment at a vet for tomorrow as her breath is smelly (but this could be the olive oil), he said that they dont remove impact by op he will try to flush it out.

Ive never heard of syringing sugar and water before, has anyone else? Should I give it a go? Im not convinced about the vets experience with chickens as he didnt say opening her up to remove the impact was an option, I thought this was a straight forward cure.
Thanks again Jo