Broody hen's crop not emptying overnight

[elmdene]

My pekin bantam, Sybil, has been sitting on 7 eggs for 2 weeks now.Last week I noticed that her crop wasn't emptying overnight. It seems to go down a little, but not much. She is hardly eating or drinking anything and she is normally the greediest of the lot. I have to get her up 3 or 4 times a day and she will eat a tiny amount of mash mixed with water and a bit of corn - her favourite, and have a few sips of water. She doesn't move around much at all - last week she would rush about madly for 5 minutes but now she goes back to her eggs quite quickly. She is still pooing when she comes out, although not the massive ones of the first week! Her crop is not solid - I can squish it about a bit, and she doesn't seem to have smelly breath.
I spoke to the vet who said probably not to worry just yet - it's just because she is inactive, which another forum contributor also said. The vet also advised massaging her crop for about 5 minutes twice a day although she hates me for it! This was also advised by my local chicken expert (Jude at Cotswold Chickens - brilliant source of chicken supplies and advice), as well as adding apple cider vinegar to the water (which they all get anyway at the beginning each month).
Can anyone else confirm that this is normal or advise on any other course of action please?

 

[E3lx]

I am not sure about the crop bit, but from all the broodies I have had I know that they get less active as the brooding progresses. This is not abnormal, it is good, because although she seems inactive, she is catering for her unhatched youngs needs. They need more constant warmth as they come closer to haching time, as they get bigger. It is important that she continues to eat and drink sufficiently. I know that ACV is good for chickens, it contains vitamins, nutrients, and anti-oxidants, all of which are very important, especially if she is not eating her usual amount. Follow the vets advice, and continue to massage her crop (just hope you're still her friend afterward!!!)
I hope this helps, sorry, I dont know much about the crop thing. :evil: :evil:

 

[tygrysek75]

Hi,I have once read that feeding hen with fishing maggots helps with compacted crop.Hen swallow them they go in to the crop,munch on the stuff and after moving down to her stomach and she has an extra proteins with her meal.As said I had never tried this as had never had any problem like this but bet it can't be bad.If you try this let us know if it helped.Good luck. 17

 

[VALBURNHAM]

Hi I have a broody hen and her crop is not totally empty on a morning either. I just put it down to her not being active and not moving around much during the day. My hen is still doing enourmous poops though

 

[Chuck]

If she seems healthy, I'd leave her alone. Their metaboism slows down and with little activity, they don't need much food.

 

[elmdene]

Just to say Sybil's crop is emptying a bit more now (maybe the massaging helps?) and she is eating and drinking a little bit more which all a relief. It's just a bit scary when it's the first time. Roll on Sunday when things should begin to happen, then I can get worried silly about how to look after the chicks! :? :lol: