Sour crop Help Information
Symptoms of Sour Crop
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 can pop the water & A.C.V into a syringe to make it a little easier, just ensure you allow the hen time to swallow)
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.
- Quiet, sleepy and sometimes hunched hen.
- Large crop full of fluid, that does not disappear overnight.
- Sometimes diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Thin if it goes unnoticed
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 can pop the water & A.C.V into a syringe to make it a little easier, just ensure you allow the hen time to swallow)
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.
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