My Bovans Goldline Treacle had a bout of Sour Crop last week which I have managed to get her through successfully by treating her with bio yogurt. During this she was fed very little, no wheat, a few soaked hen pellets and a little mash. All this she ate but not greedily. Having got her crop empty two days ago I have returned her to the run but cannot get her to eat anything at all. Have brought her indoors and tried various combinations of food to tempt her, all cooked: bulgar,potato,rice,sweetcorn,peas,soaked bread, hard-boiled egg, all mixed with small quantities of mash or dampened pellets. She has now eaten nothing for two days, although approaching the food she loses interest and just walks away. If this persists she will starve to death. Has anyone any bright ideas...PLEASE? Louise
Help please
- Thread starter Louise
- Start date
I expect the sour crop was a symptom of something else, possibly an infection in her gut, or maybe a bad worm infestation. Tempting her to eat is good, and you've been doing all the right things with the bio yogurt etc, but maybe you should now consider a trip to the vet, who may suggest antibiotics if he thinks she has gut problems. Are her poos normal? If watery, or green, this might indicate a gut infection. And when was she last wormed with Flubenvet? If more than 4-6 months ago, she may have a heavy worm burden, which again could contribute to the symptoms you describe.
If she's not being bullied, and is not off her legs, it would be best to leave her in the run with the others, as if you keep her indoors you will have integration problems when you do return her. Chickens soon forget a companion, or the pecking order changes in her absence, and it will be harder for her to find her place back with them if she's still not feeling on top of the world.
If she's not being bullied, and is not off her legs, it would be best to leave her in the run with the others, as if you keep her indoors you will have integration problems when you do return her. Chickens soon forget a companion, or the pecking order changes in her absence, and it will be harder for her to find her place back with them if she's still not feeling on top of the world.
BabyBantam
Member
Agree with marigold about vet, but in the meantime, try mealworms soaked in hot water to soften them and feed them to her warm, not hot!
About the only thing my sick girl would eat when she was sick.
About the only thing my sick girl would eat when she was sick.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Sorry Louise, but yoghurt is the worst thing to feed sour crop. It just ferments and makes it worse. Just isolate and feed nothing but water for at least 24 hours. Check poos for slime or green, runny is expected. Hope she has enough left in her to stand the treatment. I assume she has been wormed regularly with Flubenvet otherwise it could be worms jamming her up and unfortunately late worming generates so many toxins (dying worms) that it can be fatal to the bird. Our pet Bottom has been wormed 2 months late because of illness and we're not sure he will survive it. Make sure you massage the crop regularly -it seems to move stuff through and promote feeding.
If she won't eat you will need to feed her. Soak crushed pellets until slightly soft and roll into small firm balls. Make sure she has at least 40mL of water and 20 grammes of feed every day. Administer that when feeding the balls. Feed the balls by prising the beak open, little finger behind head, others working on the beak then stick your index finger in to hold beak open. Be careful not to strain lower beak as that's the one that moves and can be damaged -top is fixed to the skull. Sorry if I make it sound simple and it's not. I'm still struggling after 6 months of practice.
If she won't eat you will need to feed her. Soak crushed pellets until slightly soft and roll into small firm balls. Make sure she has at least 40mL of water and 20 grammes of feed every day. Administer that when feeding the balls. Feed the balls by prising the beak open, little finger behind head, others working on the beak then stick your index finger in to hold beak open. Be careful not to strain lower beak as that's the one that moves and can be damaged -top is fixed to the skull. Sorry if I make it sound simple and it's not. I'm still struggling after 6 months of practice.
I think it would be best to get her to the vet and ask his advice before attempting any force feeding. If the food or water goes down the wrong way it can get into the respiratory system, which is different in birds than in people, they'd can't cough it up so it can be fatal. Also the procedure sounds very stressful for the bird.
chrismahon
Well-known member
I agree with Marigold. Force feeding has complications but if the vet writes her off you have nothing to lose. Yes it's stressful at the time but all the birds we have treated (but complained like hell) responded well and are now happy and healthy.
You can also use the same syringe as used for sour crop evacuation -see other post.
You can also use the same syringe as used for sour crop evacuation -see other post.
Thank you all for your welcome contributions. Have just cancelled vet appt for this a.m. Treacle suddenly decided she wanted food and ate a modest mash meal with enjoyment last night even taking her place in the pecking order,1st, and seeing off her neighbours! This morning she was first out of the run and first at the trough and eating normally. Whew, so relieved. Although I was happy to take her to the vet I was very worried at the cost, as an ageing pensioner this can be considerable I know. I can insure my cat (thank goodness) but not,I suspect, my hens!
Brilliant,what a relief. I'm sure you'll be keeping a good close eye on her for the next few days, and I hope she can build herself up again. You didn't say whather you had wormed the hens with Flubenvet recently, ie since the start of this year - if not, perhaps you might consider doing this.
