What I learned about Sour Crop (even though my hen did not survive)
Our Story
First of all, if you are coming to this blog post I just want to offer my sincere and heartfelt love and support to you. Dealing with sour crop in hens is certainly not fun, and not wished upon any chickens or any chicken caretakers. When I was dealing with sour crop in my hen, the thing I found the most frustrating is that not only could I not save her (more on this later), but also the myriad of information out there made my head spin. One blog post or forum or IG reel would say “do this” and the next source would say “never ever do that, it will kill them.”
Now luckily, I can know that I did all I could to try to heal my hen, and that nothing I did caused her to pass. Some hens simply don’t survive. My particular hen had already had an egg break in her vent, and after feeling as if I miraculously healed her through that, she later succumbed to sour crop. As much as I wish she was here with us still, I can say I am grateful for all she taught me about love, caretaking, and eventually, surrender.
Now if you never lost a chicken or hen to an illness that you have been treating for weeks, Iet me tell you: this experience was a rollercoaster. (see below for videos: especially July 8th versus July 9th! 🤯) I had multiple times throughout the journey in which we said goodbye to her, thinking it was her last day or her last minutes, only to discover her to be seemingly making an amazing recovery the next day. Talk about pulling at your heartstrings!
The final day of my hen, I knew it was finally time: and how I knew after all of those false alarms? I finally said okay God, please don’t let her suffer anymore. I surrender. A few hours later she passed.
I say this to say, this post is going to have a lot of helpful information, but we also don’t get to decide. The very true and often ignored fact about everything on this planet is that one day we will not be here. When deciding to keep any animal as a pet, it is important to remember this very real fact and do to the best you can by your companion.
I absolutely did the best I can. I gave it my all, I read for hours and hours on end, and I held my hen in love and support until her last day here with us.
While Cocoa did not survive, I learned so much and I am here to distill my many hours of research into a blog post for you.
Cocoa on July 9th, when I believed her to be making a recovery
The Nitty Gritty: AKA Understanding Sour Crop in Chickens: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies
Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience, but like any pet, they can encounter health issues. Sour crop is one such condition that poultry owners should be aware of. This blog post aims to shed light on sour crop in chickens, including its causes, symptoms, and remedies.
What is Sour Crop?
Sour crop, also known as crop stasis or crop impaction, is a digestive disorder that affects chickens. The crop is a pouch-like structure located in a chicken's neck, which acts as a temporary food storage area before it moves to the stomach for digestion. When sour crop occurs, the crop becomes distended and filled with a foul-smelling, fermenting mass of food, water, and debris. This condition can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Causes of Sour Crop:
Overeating or Over drinking: Chickens that consume excessive amounts of food or water too quickly may overwhelm their crop's capacity, leading to sour crop.
Fermentation: If food in the crop doesn't move into the stomach for digestion properly, it can start to ferment, causing sour crop.
Bacterial or Fungal Infections: In some cases, infections in the crop can disrupt its normal function, leading to sour crop.
Foreign Objects: Occasionally, chickens may ingest foreign objects, like plastic or string, which can block the passage between the crop and the stomach.
Symptoms of Sour Crop:
Recognizing the symptoms of sour crop early is crucial for effective treatment. Common signs of sour crop in chickens include:
Swollen and Pouchy Crop: The crop will feel swollen, soft, and squishy when gently palpated.
Foul Odor: The chicken may emit a strong, sour odor from its mouth.
Loss of Appetite: Chickens with sour crop often lose interest in eating.
Decreased Activity: Affected birds may become lethargic and less active, may puff up their feathers and stand around/mope
Regurgitation: Some chickens may regurgitate undigested food or emit a sour-smelling liquid.
Weight Loss: Due to reduced food intake, weight loss can occur.
Remedies for Sour Crop: (ScROLL DOWN FOR A BREAKDOWN OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF TREATMENT)
Isolation: Isolate the affected chicken from the flock to prevent the condition from spreading and to monitor its progress.
Empty the Crop: Gently massage the crop to try to expel the contents. Be cautious not to apply excessive pressure to avoid injuring the bird.
Fluid Management: Ensure the chicken has access to clean, fresh water. You can also provide electrolyte solutions to help with hydration.
Limited Food: Offer small, easily digestible meals, like soft fruits or yogurt, to prevent overloading the crop.
Probiotics: Probiotic supplements can help restore the gut's balance and aid in digestion.
Antifungals: If the sour crop is caused by an infection, consult with a veterinarian who may prescribe appropriate medications, there are also OTC options (see below)
Crop Massage: Gently massaging the crop in a downward motion can help move the contents towards the stomach.
Rest: Give the chicken time to recover in a quiet, stress-free environment.
When to Seek Veterinary Care:
If the symptoms of sour crop persist or worsen despite home remedies, or if the chicken's condition deteriorates, it's crucial to seek the guidance of a poultry veterinarian. They can perform more advanced treatments and diagnostics, such as crop flushing or surgery if necessary.
Sour crop is a distressing condition for chickens, but with prompt recognition and appropriate care, some affected birds can recover. Regular monitoring of your flock's health and providing a balanced diet can help prevent sour crop. Always consult with a veterinarian for guidance on the best course of action when dealing with any health issues in your chickens.
Why do you need to know about sour crop?
Treating sour crop in chickens is essential for their well-being and overall health. Sour crop, also known as crop stasis or impaction, occurs when the crop, a pouch-like structure where food is temporarily stored, becomes distended and fails to function properly. Common causes of sour crop include overeating, consuming fermented or spoiled food, or a buildup of ingested foreign bodies. To treat sour crop, it is crucial to first address the underlying cause. This involves removing impacted material from the crop, sometimes through gentle squeezing or massaging, and encouraging the consumption of easily digestible foods such as yogurt or shredded vegetables. In more severe cases, providing supportive care, like offering electrolyte solutions and probiotics, might be necessary. Consulting a veterinarian experienced in poultry care is highly recommended for proper diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies. With prompt attention and appropriate care, chickens suffering from sour crop can make a full recovery and resume their normal eating habits.
A myriad of options
There are many different options when it comes to treating sour crop. I have outlined options down below. Scroll through and see if any jump out to you as the route you want to take, you could also use multiple treatments at once depending on the severity of the crop issue. The most important thing is that you take cues from your chicken. Are you overwhelming them with treatment? Are you allowing them to rest? Some options are more economical than others, some are more “crunchy”…do what best suites your household. As always, if you have the funds, seeking veterinary support is of course always an option. In some cases, the vet may open up the crop surgically and flush it out. Not for the faint of heart, there is information out there on how to do that at home. As I did not try that method, I will not be sharing here: but it’s really up to you as to what you feel comfortable and confident with.
Treatment Options
Treating Sour Crop with Baking Soda
One method that has been used for years to treat sour crop is the use of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Baking soda is a readily available and affordable household ingredient that has certain properties which can assist in correcting the imbalance in the crop and aiding digestion.
To treat sour crop with baking soda, you can follow these steps:
1. Isolate the affected bird: The first step is to separate the bird from the flock to prevent the condition from spreading or worsening. Create a comfortable, stress-free environment for the bird during the treatment process.
2. Assess the severity: Before proceeding with any treatment, it is essential to evaluate the severity of the sour crop. This can be done by gently feeling the crop with your hands. If the crop feels hard, swollen, or overly firm, it could indicate a more severe case that might require veterinary attention.
3. Withhold food and water: To allow the crop to rest and avoid further complications, withhold food and water from the affected bird for a period of 12 to 24 hours. Ensure, however, that clean water is readily available at all times after this period.
4. Prepare a baking soda solution: Once the fasting period is over, prepare a baking soda solution. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one cup of lukewarm water. Stir well until the baking soda is fully dissolved.
5. Administer the solution: Using a medical dropper or syringe without the needle, carefully administer the baking soda solution into the bird's crop. Gently tilt the bird's head back and introduce the solution slowly, ensuring it doesn't cause choking. Aim to provide about 1-2 ml of the solution at a time, spaced out over several hours. If you are afraid to administer this way, mix a double batch, and syringe into the side of the chicken’s beak, she will start to take in the mixture herself, which is a safer option, but certaintly less precise.
6. Massage the crop: After administering the solution, massage the crop gently to encourage movement and help dislodge any impacted food or irritants. Use a circular motion and apply slight pressure, being careful not to overexert force.
Treating Sour Crop in Chickens with Cayenne Mixture
Cayenne pepper is known for its potent medicinal properties, including its ability to aid digestion and boost the immune system. Here's a guide on how to utilize a cayenne mixture to treat sour crop in chickens:
1. Diagnosis:
Before proceeding with any treatment, it is crucial to ensure that sour crop is indeed the issue affecting your flock. Sour crop is characterized by a foul-smelling crop, regurgitation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If you observe these symptoms in your chickens, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Preparing the Cayenne Mixture:
To create a cayenne mixture, you will need the following ingredients:
1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper powder
1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar
1 cup of filtered warm water
Mix the cayenne pepper powder and raw apple cider vinegar thoroughly in the warm water until well dissolved. Ensure that the mixture is properly blended to avoid any discomfort to the chickens' sensitive digestive tracts.
3. Administration:
Administering the cayenne mixture to the affected chickens requires patience and care. Here's how you can do it:
Begin by gently massaging the crop area to loosen any impacted or fermented material.
Using a small syringe without a needle or a dropper, carefully administer a few milliliters of the cayenne mixture into the chicken's beak.
Slowly release the mixture into the bird's mouth, allowing it to swallow at its own pace.
Repeat this process two to three times a day for a period of three to five days, depending on the severity of the condition.
4. Additional Measures:
While the cayenne mixture can be effective in treating sour crop, it is vital to address other aspects of the chicken's well-being to ensure a full recovery. Here are some additional measures to consider:
Provide a clean and hygienic environment for the chickens, as a contaminated living space can worsen the condition.
Avoid feeding your chickens large amounts of high-carbohydrate or fermented foods as this can contribute to an overgrowth of yeast or blockage in the crop.
Treating Sour Crop in Chickens with Yogurt
One effective and natural way to treat sour crop in chickens is by using yogurt. Yogurt is a probiotic that contains beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, which helps restore a healthy balance in the digestive system. Here are some steps you can follow to treat sour crop using yogurt:
1. Identify the symptoms: Before administering treatment, it's crucial to confirm that the chicken is indeed suffering from sour crop. Look for signs such as a swollen crop, foul-smelling breath, lack of appetite, regurgitation, or difficulty swallowing.
2. Isolate the affected chicken: To prevent the spread of any potential infection, separate the chicken from the rest of the flock. Place it in a clean, quiet, and comfortable environment where it can rest and recover.
3. Administer yogurt treatment: Once the crop is emptied, it's time to administer the yogurt treatment. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt that contains live cultures. The probiotics present in the yogurt will help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the crop.
a. Dip the chicken's beak into the yogurt: Dip the chicken's beak into the yogurt and allow it to consume a small amount. This ensures that the yogurt comes into direct contact with the affected area.
b. Offer yogurt through syringe or feeding tube: If the chicken isn't voluntarily consuming the yogurt, you can offer it using a syringe or feeding tube. Gently insert the syringe or feeding tube into the chicken's beak and slowly dispense the yogurt, making sure the chicken swallows it. This can be very dangerous so do this only if you know how to syringe administer a hen (the chicken could aspirate)
5. Repeat the treatment: Administer the yogurt treatment two to three times a day, depending on the severity of the situation. Continue treating the chicken until you notice improvement in its condition, such as a decrease in crop swelling.
Treating Sour Crop in Chickens with Colloidal Silver
Understanding Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a suspension of tiny silver particles in a liquid medium. It has been used for many years as an antimicrobial agent due to its purported ability to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While further research is needed to establish its efficacy, some chicken owners and veterinarians have reported positive results when using colloidal silver to treat sour crop.
Using Colloidal Silver to Treat Sour Crop
Before starting any treatment, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and receive professional guidance tailored to your specific chicken's needs. If the veterinarian approves, the following steps can be taken to treat sour crop using colloidal silver:
1. Isolate the chicken: Remove the affected chicken from the flock and create a clean and comfortable environment for treatment.
2. Empty the crop: Empty the contents of the crop by gently massaging it and carefully expelling the material. Ensure that any solid or impacted material is removed to prevent further complications.
3. Administer colloidal silver: Dilute the colloidal silver with distilled or sterilized water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Depending on the severity of the condition, the recommended dosage may vary. It is essential to follow the veterinarian's guidance or the product instructions precisely.
4. Orally administer the solution: Using a clean and sterile syringe or dropper, carefully administer the diluted colloidal silver solution into the chicken's beak. Encourage the bird to swallow by gently massaging its neck. Be cautious not to force the solution, as this can cause choking or aspiration.
5. Monitor and repeat if necessary: Observe the chicken closely for any adverse reactions or improvements in their condition. If there are no signs of improvement or if the condition worsens, consulting the veterinarian for further recommendations is essential. In some cases, multiple treatments may be required to effectively combat sour crop.
Treating Sour Crop with Monistat / Miconazole
Treating sour crop in chickens with Monistat, which is an over-the-counter antifungal medication containing miconazole, can be considered in cases where a fungal infection is suspected to be the underlying cause of the sour crop. However, it's crucial to note that while some poultry keepers have used Monistat for this purpose, it should be done with caution and under the guidance of a veterinarian, as improper use can harm the bird.
Here's a general guideline for using Monistat to treat sour crop in chickens:
Confirm the Diagnosis: Before treating sour crop with Monistat, it's essential to be reasonably sure that the issue is indeed a fungal infection. Sour crop can have various causes, including bacterial infections or blockages, so it's crucial to assess the symptoms carefully. If you're uncertain about the cause, consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
Isolate the Chicken: Isolate the affected chicken from the rest of the flock to prevent potential disease spread and to monitor its condition closely.
Cleanliness: Ensure that the chicken's living environment is clean and sanitary.
Dilute Monistat: Monistat typically comes in cream or suppository form. For treating sour crop, you'll need to dilute it with water to create a liquid suspension. Exact dilution ratios can vary, so it's advisable to consult a veterinarian for specific guidance. They can prescribe an appropriate dosage based on your chicken's weight and the severity of the infection.
Administer Monistat: Using a syringe (without a needle), gently administer the diluted Monistat orally to the chicken. Be extremely careful during this process to avoid aspiration (chicken inhaling the liquid into its lungs).
Massage the Crop: After administering the medication, gently massage the crop in a downward motion to help distribute the medication throughout the crop.
Repeat as Directed: Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding the frequency and duration of Monistat treatment. It's essential to complete the full course of treatment, even if the chicken appears to be improving.
Monitor Progress: Keep a close eye on the chicken's condition during the treatment period. If there's no improvement or if the condition worsens, consult your vet immediately for further evaluation and treatment adjustments.
Remember that while Monistat may help in cases of fungal sour crop, it may not address the root cause if it's not fungal in nature. Additionally, self-diagnosis and treatment without professional veterinary advice can be risky. Always consult with a poultry veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan tailored to your chicken's specific condition.
IN CONCLUSION
The timeline for sour crop may be different for different chickens. I had mentioned earlier that our situation was like a rollercoaster. If you would like to see videos of what sour crop looks like and what you may expect, I have included videos I took of Cocoa while documenting her case. I was hoping the end result would be a full recovery, however, Cocoa ended up passing away. It is my sincere hope that the information in this post can help you in whatever way possible, either through a recovery, or to know you are not alone.
Cocoa’s experience with sour crop went from July 2nd, when she was acting strange and refusing to leave the nesting box, until July 14th evening when she passed away, The 12 days felt like months, and her health fluctuated immensely throughout the time I was treating her.
Cocoa on July 3rd
Cocoa on July 6th
Cocoa on July 8th
Cocoa on July 8th, 1PM, very lethargic, but still thirsty
Cocoa on July 9th (I thought we were out of the woods for sure)
Cocoa on July 10th, very tired after her medicine that morning
Cocoa July 12th, looked to me like the girls were saying goodbye to her
Cocoa, July 12th 8PM. More energetic, comb is not a good color, excess liquid still coming from her crop.
This was my last time saying goodbye to Cocoa, after I asked God to relieve her pain. We miss you Cocoa.
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading through and honoring Cocoa’s life through your attention. Please comment below if you have found any tried and true solutions for sour crop, especially if I missed something in this post. If you have lost a chicken to sour crop, please post their name below so that we can honor their life as well.
With love,
D