The Poultry Keeper

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

Help Please.

I have a little bant with I think an impacted crop- or should that be compacted- anyway, im going to try and get some oil into her but haven't got a syringe. Can I use a spoon and just drip some into her mouth.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Just be careful you don't put too much in at one go. You could try soaking some oil up on a cloth and letting it drip in.
Good luck ~ I'm sure when Lisa comes on she'll have loads of suggestions.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject:

The important thing is to get the oil into the crop. If you can drip it off a spoon that would be fine. Its just whenever I've had to try it, I've always had a wriggly chicken.

The other thing I've heard used, instead of a syringe, is a drinking straw. Have you got one of those? If you put it in the oil and then put your finger over the end it will keep the oil inside. Then you can put it in the chooks mouth, take your finger away and the oil will be released.

And if you can get someone else to hold the chicken while you do all this, either way, it will be a lot easier.

Best of luck with sorting her crop out - and do let us know how you get on with her.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

Well, found a syringe but it was all or nothing with it, to stiff to do it drop by drop so used a spoon. Did spill quite a bit of her feathers but some did go down and then gave it a bit of a rub.

She doesn't look too good to be honest. Her vent is opening and closing and she is standing up all the time as if its uncomfortable to sit down. I've put vaseline on her vent. Shes had a drink but I don't know if she should have food if her crop is hard.

I've got her in the cat basket in the house.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Has she been in lay or just coming into lay? Poor little mite ~ just keep a close eye on her. Water and fluid is much more important to her than food for the time being. Pleae keep us informed about her

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

Thank you girls.

She doesn't look too bright I must say, but her comb is red and shes been in very good condition till now.

I was just wondering, I have a young Silkie cockerel about 19weeks old who has just realized he's not a girl. Do you think he could have hurt her and her hard crop is just a coincidence.

Dixie Chicks · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 311 Location: South West Cumbria

Jan, I would really encourage you to get her to the vet Sad

. My cockeral had the same thing, except I didn't realise that's what it was. He was behaving strangely and gasping when he ate. The vet diagnosed an impacted crop and immediately operated on him to empty it. Sadly, my boy didn't make it as his crop just became blocked again Sad

. Fingers crossed for your bantie!

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

when onbe of mine had an impacted crop, I sat and massaged it for fifteen mins every hour or so.

After an intial struggle, the chook seemed to derive some comfort from it, and stopped fighting me.

It took a couple of days of doing this, plus making sure she ingested some live yoghurt.

hth a bit.

D.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

Hi thandi,

I have been doing the massaging but only three times a day, so will do it more often.

Shes just had some more oil and a massage and like you said, she does get some comfort from it. The lump is about the size of a golf ball and feels harder today than yesterday, but does soften and break up with the massage.

Ive also given her a spoonful of water and put some soaked chick crumb in her basket. Not sure if she should have food but this is her third day without eating so thought I should at least offer some.

Im taking her to the vets first thing in the morning

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Let us know how you get on at the vets, Jan. I hope it something that can be cleared up quickly

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

Took little George to the vets and she is going to have an operation this morning to remove the lump.

I saw the small animal vet, and found her very keen to help altho she admitted she has never done the operation before. I dont mind that, she was interested in getting her well.

Knobby · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

Hope it goes well !!!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

It's good to find a vet that want's to help rather than the old 'it's only a chicken' syndrome.

I hope we see an optimistic post later today, p,ease keep us informed, Jan

CP · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:46 am Post subject:

Fingers crossed for her Jan. Wink

Dixie Chicks · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 311 Location: South West Cumbria

Ditto!