The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: plumseverywhere on November 10, 2010, 04:47:37 pm

Title: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 10, 2010, 04:47:37 pm
not quite sure whats wrong with my amber girl. She's about 2 years old and for last 2 days has been a bit depressed, separating herself from the flock, wanting to eat but not actually doing so (ie. runs for food for doesnt' peck at it) her crop looks swollen but there's no sour smell from her and the crop feels soft.  poo's seem normal and she's not really laid for months so no change there!
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: OhLaLa on November 10, 2010, 06:33:19 pm
Is she crop bound? Does her crop go down, keep an eye on it. Pick her up - does she feel 'boney'?

If she has access to long grass she may be crop bound, this is my first thought. Can you feel grain in the crop? Don't force it down if you can feel it, crop bound is a problem.

Let us know asap.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 10, 2010, 06:47:43 pm
definately does not feel boney. I can't feel grain but I did think I could feel something spiky (can't quite describe it) in her crop. its like a twig but don't know if its her anatomy.
no access to long grass, she never leaves the run (unlike her friends chicken tikka and maude who fly over the electric fence) and the run is well chowed down. they have layers pellets and occasional handsful of mixed corn, sometimes pasta or porrige.. the other 13 are all fit and well.
thank you for your reply  :)
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: OhLaLa on November 10, 2010, 06:57:16 pm
Tricky one this. The answer to a crop bound I do know, but isn't nice, and seldom works.

Try giving her something tempting with vegetable oil in it. This will hopefully help whatever it is IF she has a blockage, go down. If it is a twig, prognosis not good. But, I could be wrong, let's hope I am - can't see why she would eat a twig. She hasn't managed to get hold of a small bone has she (poss picked up after fox raided a bin, or even mouse leftovers)?

My very best wishes.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 10, 2010, 07:00:33 pm
thanks ohlala  :)   unlikely she would have got a bone because she never leaves her run. she's a lovely old girl that has always been the children's favourite, very cuddly and placid. really hoping that this will pass. tomorrow I will feed her with something rich in olive oil or try to syringe some warm oil.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: doganjo on November 10, 2010, 07:04:18 pm
Sardines in olive oil might work.  Good luck.  Hope she's still OK tomorrow so you can try this.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: OhLaLa on November 10, 2010, 07:10:30 pm
Interesting idea doganjo. I'd use just the oil, don't want anything solid like a bone in there - and the oil will have some added goodness. Plus the girl might enjoy the yummy taste of the treat and eat readily. If all goes well give her the next treat with a bit of the fish meat, do avoid the bones though, even though they are soft.


Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 10, 2010, 08:10:59 pm
Thanks both. will try the sardine/oil idea tomorrow.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: BlueDaisy on November 11, 2010, 08:03:25 am
Hope it goes well for korma
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: doganjo on November 11, 2010, 11:20:28 am
Interesting idea doganjo. I'd use just the oil, don't want anything solid like a bone in there - and the oil will have some added goodness. Plus the girl might enjoy the yummy taste of the treat and eat readily. If all goes well give her the next treat with a bit of the fish meat, do avoid the bones though, even though they are soft

I mush them up for that reason.  Empty the tin into a shallow bowl, mash with a fork, add a little extra oil - I add that to porridge oats and they love it.  No bones left to hurt them.
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 12, 2010, 05:07:22 pm
much better today, crop seems less swollen and she has been eating her pellets since yesterday. seems a good massage was all that was needed this time bless her! thanks all xx
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: OhLaLa on November 12, 2010, 05:55:29 pm
Good news. Sounds like it was a crop blockage. Did you give her the veg/fish oil 'lubrication'?

 :)

 
Title: Re: Chicken korma poorly..
Post by: plumseverywhere on November 13, 2010, 01:32:35 pm
in the end, didn't need to -  bit of a rub before she went to bed and she was fine next day. had oil on standby though!