[Flump74]

Good evening everyone.

Can anyone offer some advice regarding a chicken that I believe to have Sour crop?

3 weeks ago we noticed she was not quite herself and had not laid an egg the previous day. This is most unusual as they are all laying regularly.

I brought her inside and felt her crop which felt like a squishy water balloon. It made little gurgling noises as I felt it. Her breath smelt awful too. I googled it and followed, hopefully not wrongly, some advice regarding emptying her crop and dosing her with apple cider vinegar.
The contents of her crop was absolutely revolting  and actually made me gag! I generally have a strong stomach. When I felt it was as empty as I could get it. I gave her a little apple cider vinegar using a syringe.
I kept her indoors for a day or so and she seemed to be picking up as she started to eat and make chickeny noises. So I put her back outside with the others as I didn’t want to keep her separated too long.
She has been ok. I’ve seen her eat and there are times when she has been pecking around quite happily. The last few days she has got quieter again. Spending much more time sitting hunched up than she was., so this evening I have brought her back in. Crop was quite soft and squishy feeling and when I emptied it, the contents was a little food and some bubbly liquid that didn’t smell particularly nice but not evil.
She’s had a little more cider vinegar and now resting quietly.

So…..I know there can be an underlying cause that even if she recovers from the sour crop it can come back, but I’m in two minds as to whether to speak to the vet and see what they have to offer or whether to call it a day now.
She’s about 2 years old and is one of three chickens. I’m hoping that we can help her because we won’t be able to introduce another hen. They are fantastic layers. Speckledy hybrids.



Any thoughts or advice appreciated. Thank you.

[Perris]

If it's thrush I think you may need to give her some Canesten; I've found these articles are very thorough and informative
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-treat-sour-crop-and-impacted-crop-and-how-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/sour-crop-impacted-crop-doughy-crop-prevention-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/
Good luck!

[twizzel]

I had a pullet with the worst sour crop I’ve seen, she did come right in the end, but had to take her off food for a good few days, and just give cider vinegar to sort the imbalance in her crop out. After a few days of cider vinegar, started on natural yoghurt and then reintroduced very small amounts of food.

[Flump74]

Thank you for your responses 😊

I’ve bought some Canesten (could not believe the price of it!!) and hope that will get rid of the nasties.

I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it before….seems strangely idd to give something internally to a hen that a human would yes externally!!
That’s me anthropomorphising as usual!! I don’t expect they really have taste buds as such? Anyway she seems less phased by the Canesten than the Cider Vinegar!!

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Flump74]

I had a pullet with the worst sour crop I’ve seen, she did come right in the end, but had to take her off food for a good few days, and just give cider vinegar to sort the imbalance in her crop out. After a few days of cider vinegar, started on natural yoghurt and then reintroduced very small amounts of food.

Can I ask how much cider vinegar you were giving and how often?

Not sure I’m having much joy with the Canesten 🥲

Thank you x

[twizzel]

Just a couple of times a day I think, and I put it in her water.

[Richmond]

Dosage is 10ml per litre of water.