** Crop Help Sheet **
CAUSES OF SOUR CROP
Sour crop is caused when the crop doesn't empty fully overnight and as a result the food ferments within the crop causing a fungal infection.
You can Identify Sour Crop by checking the crop before the hen eats in the morning and if its Sour Crop the crop will be watery and squishy like a balloon, if you open the hens beak a foul smell will emanate from it.
WHAT IS THE CROP
The Hen's crop is located right beneath the neck against the breast and just right of the centre.
When a chicken eats the food goes into the crop,which extends to accommodate the food, especially with young chicks, can be easily seen protruding after the hen has eaten.
TREATING SOUR CROP IN HENS
To treat sour crop if it develops you should start by holding your hen upside down with the head away from you and gently massage the crop from bottom to top so that the fluid is released.
Once this has been done, mix some natural (Live) yogurt into the layers pellets or mash and feed this to the hen along with water mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar as described below.
You will prob need to repeat this over 3 days until the crop stops filling and the bacteria in the crop return to normal. In the event that the problem persists for more than a week .. you must then seek a vets advice as a course of anti=fungal medicine may be required.
AVOIDING CROP PROBLEMS
In order to avoid crop problems you should make sure that along with pellets there is an ample supply of poultry grit for the hens.
The grit breaks up the food in the crop and without it the food cannot be broken down and the digested, the calcium in the grit also benefits laying hens.
Long Grass should be cut down as this can compact in the crop and stodgy food such as bread and pasta should be fed sparingly as treats as these can also cause a compaction in the crop.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Please see our Apple Cider Vinegar sheet for quantities / methods
You can purchased from Alison if local to the rescue. £7.50 for 2.5 ltrs - Organic A.V.C
Sour crop is caused when the crop doesn't empty fully overnight and as a result the food ferments within the crop causing a fungal infection.
You can Identify Sour Crop by checking the crop before the hen eats in the morning and if its Sour Crop the crop will be watery and squishy like a balloon, if you open the hens beak a foul smell will emanate from it.
WHAT IS THE CROP
The Hen's crop is located right beneath the neck against the breast and just right of the centre.
When a chicken eats the food goes into the crop,which extends to accommodate the food, especially with young chicks, can be easily seen protruding after the hen has eaten.
TREATING SOUR CROP IN HENS
To treat sour crop if it develops you should start by holding your hen upside down with the head away from you and gently massage the crop from bottom to top so that the fluid is released.
Once this has been done, mix some natural (Live) yogurt into the layers pellets or mash and feed this to the hen along with water mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar as described below.
You will prob need to repeat this over 3 days until the crop stops filling and the bacteria in the crop return to normal. In the event that the problem persists for more than a week .. you must then seek a vets advice as a course of anti=fungal medicine may be required.
AVOIDING CROP PROBLEMS
In order to avoid crop problems you should make sure that along with pellets there is an ample supply of poultry grit for the hens.
The grit breaks up the food in the crop and without it the food cannot be broken down and the digested, the calcium in the grit also benefits laying hens.
Long Grass should be cut down as this can compact in the crop and stodgy food such as bread and pasta should be fed sparingly as treats as these can also cause a compaction in the crop.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Please see our Apple Cider Vinegar sheet for quantities / methods
You can purchased from Alison if local to the rescue. £7.50 for 2.5 ltrs - Organic A.V.C
CAUSES OF IMPACTED (OR BOUND) CROP
Impacted crop (crop bound) is similar in cause to Sour crop in that the crop does not empty over night but in the morning it will feel hard and swollen, like a golf ball.
In both cases the hen is likely to seem lethargic, will loose weight and may make strange head movements due to the discomfort of the crop.
WHAT IS THE CROP
The Hen's crop is located right beneath the neck against the breast and just right of the centre.
When a chicken eats the food goes into the crop,which extends to accommodate the food, especially with young chicks, can be easily seen protruding after the hen has eaten.
TREATING IMPACTED OR BOUND CROP IN HENS
If you suspect your hen has an impacted crop, start treatment in the morning by dropping a small amount of olive oil or liquid paraffin (2-3ml) into the hen's mouth and then gently massage the crop to help break up the compaction and repeat this in the afternoon.
Feed soft food such as layer mash and add natural Live Yogurt to soften the food and neutralise and bacterial build in the crop.
It may take a couple of days to break up the compaction, but if it persists for 3 days we advise you see a vet.
IF YOU SUSPECT INFECTION GO STRAIGHT TO THE VETS FOR TREATMENT.
Impacted crop (crop bound) is similar in cause to Sour crop in that the crop does not empty over night but in the morning it will feel hard and swollen, like a golf ball.
In both cases the hen is likely to seem lethargic, will loose weight and may make strange head movements due to the discomfort of the crop.
WHAT IS THE CROP
The Hen's crop is located right beneath the neck against the breast and just right of the centre.
When a chicken eats the food goes into the crop,which extends to accommodate the food, especially with young chicks, can be easily seen protruding after the hen has eaten.
TREATING IMPACTED OR BOUND CROP IN HENS
If you suspect your hen has an impacted crop, start treatment in the morning by dropping a small amount of olive oil or liquid paraffin (2-3ml) into the hen's mouth and then gently massage the crop to help break up the compaction and repeat this in the afternoon.
Feed soft food such as layer mash and add natural Live Yogurt to soften the food and neutralise and bacterial build in the crop.
It may take a couple of days to break up the compaction, but if it persists for 3 days we advise you see a vet.
IF YOU SUSPECT INFECTION GO STRAIGHT TO THE VETS FOR TREATMENT.
LuckyHens Rescue
Amberswood Common
Manchester Road
Ince
Wigan
WN23DR
Amberswood Common
Manchester Road
Ince
Wigan
WN23DR
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Tel: 01942 233375 / 07888730763
Our office opening hours: 10am - 4pm
C.I.C reg no 7738619
Our office opening hours: 10am - 4pm
C.I.C reg no 7738619
