[Maeve]

Our chicken is very poorly.  She has a hard, swollen crop and has not eaten for at least two days.  She seems constantly thirsty.  She's not especially lethargic but she's not her usual self at all.  She tries to peck at the ground occasionally but actually shows no interest in eating.
I called a chicken breeder yesterday (I did a course with her last year) and she advised me to give her oil and massage her crop until the gunk came out.  WE did this repeatedly yesterday but other than a tiny bit of liquid from her mouth and a little poo, nothing came out.  The vet (not our usual one) we took her to was pessimistic about her chances.
We assume it is an impacted crop (this was what the vet said) and have continued to give her mineral oil and massage her crop but it does not seem to be any smaller this morning.  She's booked to have surgery at 12 today with our own vet who is not a chicken specialist but is willing to help:  as she does not seem to be improving, it's a last resort as she's going to starve to death at this rate.  The internet offers a great deal of advice on how to do this yourself but I think we'll rather spend the money and have it done properly under anaesthetic.
Does anyone have any other advice about what we can or should do?  I know this may seem excessive but Henrietta is a much loved pet.  Many thanks for any help or suggestions.
Maeve

[Foxy]

excising the crop is a very straight forward op, doesn't really need an aneasthetic. The crop is just a bag essentially and does not contain nerve endings. Just make sure after that she is not on grass, and small frequent meals, of pellets only with a bit of natural yougurt, Apple cider vinegar in the drinking water. Chopped carrot in the feed is good for them also.

[too many girls]

poor Henrietta it does sound like she's been through the mill, good luck at the vets.

[Maeve]

Thank you Foxy and TMG.  Support much appreciated.  Our vet will only excise the crop under anaesthetic and I'm more worried about that than the excision itself.  Will let you know what happens.
Maeve

[traacyken]

good luck i hope all goes well fingers xd for her

[Foxy]

As long as she is strong enough she should manage the aneathesia -I expect she will only have a very light one for a few mins to keep her still more than anything
Good luck with her!

[LittleRedHen]

Our Henrietta wishes yours a speedy recovery and fast healing.  Bless.

[Maeve]

Thank you to all you kind people who have responded!  So far, the news is good.  She had perked up a little by 12 so the vet intubated (I think that's the right word) her and pumped some saline solution into her crop to soften whatever is in there and get it moving along.  We are going back at 6 for another go-did not feel quite confident enough to do it myself at home. 

[joyfull]

oh bless I do hope after her second visit she recovers ok, fingers crossed 

[Foxy]

tbh, if it is impacted crop and she hasnt eaten for 2 days, the vet needs to surgically empty the crop before it is too late and she is too weak for surgery, its just a personal opinion though.

[Aunt Sally]

excising the crop is a very straight forward op, doesn't really need an aneasthetic. The crop is just a bag essentially and does not contain nerve endings.

What about cutting through the skin Foxy,  surely that would smart a bit 

[Foxy]

I thought so too! but thats what my friend does, and she is a poultry specialist vet.She saved my best breeding hen from impacted crop by acting swiftly, if she hadn't Filly would have died, so that is why I believe in surgery when it is very obviously an impacted crop which causes the bird to be unable to eat It was interesting, Filly did fidget, but wasn't that bothered!

[Aunt Sally]

When I had a hen with an impacted crop last year my vet anaesthetised her for the operation.  Sh did try to empty her crop via a scope first though.  I would imagine that would need sedation to keep them still 

[traacyken]

any news how is she hope alls well

[Hensington]

I have seen others do the surgery themselves but I think the vets is the best place for it.
I have stitched my own chooks up after cockerels have trodden the girls too harshly and cut the sides open. But thats easy, surgery on a crop would require a real neat stitch up job and a confident hand. Only attempt it if it's life or death or you are competant enough to make it quick and neat.