[Mrs S]

Hi, I've taken my chicken to the vet this morning as she has sour crop. I already add cider vinegar to their water daily so I'm at a loss really as to what else I can do to help prevent it. Regardless, the vet has flushed her out and may possibly prescribe antibiotics, but he did mention that if it happens again you can make your chicken vomit the offending juices. Now, I am aware that this is normal practise and I have read at some length peoples experiences of this, but I cannot find one piicture/video of the correct position the chicken should be in. Are  their feet literally above their head or will a 45 degree angle suffice?

If anyone can show me a picture I would be so appreciative! x

[GrannieAnnie]

No pictures, but this may be interesting reading.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4345.0

I tend to lay the hen upside down along my arm, with her head hanging down resting in my hand.  She won't fall off as I hold her against my body.

Then I gently massage her throat, from crop to top of neck.  Only hold them like for for a minute at a time though as it can be dangerous.

Some people do hang them upside down, but I've found that they can wiggle about and the vomit goes everywhere!

[ANHBUC]

No pictures, but this may be interesting reading.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4345.0

I tend to lay the hen upside down along my arm, with her head hanging down resting in my hand.  She won't fall off as I hold her against my body.

Then I gently massage her throat, from crop to top of neck.  Only hold them like for for a minute at a time though as it can be dangerous.

Some people do hang them upside down, but I've found that they can wiggle about and the vomit goes everywhere!

That is what I call multitasking GA, I would need an extra pair of hands for that.   

[Mrs S]

Thank you. I went out to her this afternoon with a ramekin of yoghurt and a syringe.The syringe was rendered useless I'm pleased to say as all 3 of my girls ate the yoghurt directly.

Any advice on how I can prevent it happening again? This is my first case in all the years I've had chickens

[GrannieAnnie]

No pictures, but this may be interesting reading.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4345.0

I tend to lay the hen upside down along my arm, with her head hanging down resting in my hand.  She won't fall off as I hold her against my body.

Then I gently massage her throat, from crop to top of neck.  Only hold them like for for a minute at a time though as it can be dangerous.

Some people do hang them upside down, but I've found that they can wiggle about and the vomit goes everywhere!

That is what I call multitasking GA, I would need an extra pair of hands for that.   

LOL, if you are lucky, they will lay on their backs very quietly as they don't know what's happening!

Mrs S, difficult to say  what happened in the first place.  Sour crop is a fungal infection caused by food not being digested properly in the crop.

Apple cider vinegar occasionally in their drinking water can sometimes help, and make sure they have extra grit available, although there should be enough of everything they need in their layers food.

[kegs]

Just found this site which has a picture of how to hold the chicken with sour crop (near the bottom of the page).  Hope that helps.

http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/Pages/Medicaladvice.aspx

[Mrs S]

Thank you! What a great page - have book-marked it