I have heard this term before. I'm not sure what it means, but
I am trying to figure out what is wrong with my cochins. One died
day before yesterday, another has the same kind of bloated with
air? crop. It's puffy and kind of feels air filled. They are lasting too
long for it to be pnuemonia, and it doesn't spread like wildfire.
It's only in a couple chicks out of 22.
There seems to be no food in there, they continue to eat
and drink but very little. Has anyone seen this before?
(may princess tammy enjoy the day)
What Is Stuck Crop?
I have no idea, but it sounds awful. Have you looked in Gail Damerow's "The Chicken Health Handbook"? It is suppose to be very good. I don't have it yet, but it sounds like a must have. Do let us know what happens.
Truest, is it possible that they haven't eaten any grit? It sounds like the feed is fermenting in their crops.
Thanks Cat and Granny. I didn't think about fermenting, and
that would puff things up- but I mix 1 part grit to 10 parts
feed for them. Still, this could be happening. I have The
Guide to raising chickens by Damerow which is full of
information on everything, but it's not specifically health. I
spoke with my veterinarian yesterday afternoon, and he is
stumped. They are 19 days now, and until now, I have been
using small bird grit. The bags at the feed store are for 8
weeks and up, and I do not know if this is too big. It seems
like rather large chunks. This one cochin in with the younger
chicks is hanging on, and 1 more looks like it may have this.
I am feeding a blend of budgie seeds with pecans and
craisins ground up to help maintain the health of the rest,
which is mixed with the starter.
I am making a protein-gatorade gruel for the sick ones
which the vet suggested. I will keep trying, and I thank you
both for the input.
may princess tammy be enlightened.
Well, I don't know about mixing my own feed. I have only used chick or turkey starter with my chicks and have never run into a problem with it. Especially a problem like you are having.
truest, how are your chicks doing? Did you learn any more about what was wrong with them?
Maybe the grit is settling to the bottom of the feeder where they can't get at it? Try a separate container of plain sand or similar grit that they can scratch in and place it beside their food/water? They also like to dust in it and just play like kids in a sand box.
Or is it possible that they are getting "gassy" like a human child? Cranberries do have a lot of acid as I recall. Can you research the effects of acid on poultry?
I hope that they are feeling better soon... Please, let us know how your little ones are doing. Good Luck
Hi truest. I googled "stuck crop" and found this site. There is a link to another site at the bottom that looks interesting as well. The first site makes a distinction between "impacted" and "sour" crop which sounds like it might apply--also suggest yogurt as a pro-biotic. Hope all is going well.
http://blog.amystewart.com/2006/02/sour_crop_impac.html
thanks catscan for the great links, such good and timely info!
;-)
tf
Ah, sigh- just checked this thread, again. I guess
we all know what happened after that- the puffy,
empty crop was one of my chick's first symptoms
of AE.
Thanks Maine and Cat for your interest, and links.
I hope the info can still be used by others for
reference.
sorry, i didnt' know that, thought this was toatlly unrelated or i wo7uld not have bumped it up. when you google for AE there is plenty of info in forums now, clear to canada...