tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post806713940293405687..comments2024-03-04T01:42:16.830+10:30Comments on Zucchini Island: Chicken with swollen chestJason Dingleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-89384042073794148402011-07-28T12:39:03.363+09:302011-07-28T12:39:03.363+09:30Hi Jason, As you probably know, chooks (and all bi...Hi Jason, As you probably know, chooks (and all birds) have a pouch (their first of 4 stomachs) in the front of their neck. All the seeds, grain, insects, greens and other foods they eat ends up there first, to be pre-digested. They also eat (and essentially must have) grits in their diet, to help crush up and digest harder foods, like grains. They will eat quite a bit of small stones and gravel in their daily digging to help with this, if grit isn't available in their given diet. In some species of chooks, as well as in some individuals, as well as with different kinds of foods, it can all sit in that first pouch for a little longer than other times. If it becomes a worry, you can very gently massage this crop and move the food around a bit, helping with digestion. Sour crop can come from, most commonly, fermenting of food in that first pouch. In that case, I would avoid giving them hard feed, acid foods or anything that might aid in that fermentation. Chooks have been around a long time on the earth and are a lot hardier than we think. Usually, with a little self-imposed 'bed rest' (just like us) they work out most health issues.Green Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-22974582062821264242011-06-28T11:04:52.737+09:302011-06-28T11:04:52.737+09:30Amy from what I have read the medical approach is ...<b>Amy</b> from what I have read the medical approach is to perform surgery, removing the blockage directly out of the crop. This however comes with risk, death during and after surgery. Of course she is also at risk now. My thoughts are to let nature take its course, which ever direction it has install for her. She is a treasured individual who will be missed if she does depart this life. But I do not fear her death. Her life will be celebrated regardless of the outcome.Jason Dingleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-66549760782376570642011-06-28T09:31:57.306+09:302011-06-28T09:31:57.306+09:30Thats terrible news. Poor Gerty. Can you take her ...Thats terrible news. Poor Gerty. Can you take her to the Vet, they could put a tube down and unblock the blockage...maybe??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-67194214892969122402011-06-27T12:34:53.957+09:302011-06-27T12:34:53.957+09:30Amy unfortunately it's not looking good. She s...<b>Amy</b> unfortunately it's not looking good. She still has the lump, despite daily oil, broth, yoghurt and massage, and appears to be getting weaker. I still have hope that she will hang in there until the blockage moves.Jason Dingleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-25548608283611827122011-06-27T09:40:56.691+09:302011-06-27T09:40:56.691+09:30Hi Jason
Is your chook ok?Hi Jason<br />Is your chook ok?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-45923009579344268312011-06-23T12:50:51.543+09:302011-06-23T12:50:51.543+09:30Leanne there has been no real change. Which could ...<b>Leanne</b> there has been no real change. Which could be considered good or bad. Bad that the lump is still there. Good that the lump is still squishy and that she is still running around quite lively. Not wanting to separate her from the group, all the chickens are on a diet of broth. We have been giving her olive oil (not easy to do) and a massage.<br /><br />Lovely to hear my comment has help with your decision. Like I said raised beds are good in colder climates, or if you have back or knee trouble. Also good to keep small children out.Jason Dingleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-79932414122883740862011-06-22T18:45:12.264+09:302011-06-22T18:45:12.264+09:30HOw is the chook? Any word on her progress?
Have ...HOw is the chook? Any word on her progress?<br />Have decided to take your advice and not do raised garden beds, and will do the cardboard, the newspaper, etc, straight onto the ground. Thanksleanowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05017241852128361476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-27477210831935904262011-06-22T10:04:01.721+09:302011-06-22T10:04:01.721+09:30Yollie yes that is a great book. Would you believe...<b>Yollie</b> yes that is a great book. Would you believe I forgot I even own a copy. Thanks for the reminder, I will look through it tonight.<br /><br /><b>Celia</b> your concern and wishes are more than enough. She is still running around so that's a good sign.Jason Dingleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-55673728160614861652011-06-22T06:28:59.063+09:302011-06-22T06:28:59.063+09:30Oh dear oh dear oh dear...I worry when chickens ge...Oh dear oh dear oh dear...I worry when chickens get sick, especially ones that live in our backyards! I hope she recovers soon, Jason, I'm sorry I don't have any advice to offer. I'll try and find our chicken book and see if there's anything in there...celiahttp://www.figjamandlimecordial.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-75669920173984835462011-06-21T22:17:07.972+09:302011-06-21T22:17:07.972+09:30I don't really have any more to add Jason, goo...I don't really have any more to add Jason, good luck Gert, I'm with the advise above also - esp the light massaging - A book I swear by is : here: http://diggersgardenclub.com.au/shop/product/HBPN/BACKYARD%20POULTRY%20NATURALLY.aspx<br /><br />I first borrowed it from our local library, Woodcroft or Noarlunga.<br /><br />Good luck!FairyCastleFarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07458220860624023410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-40231893343060798472011-06-21T11:09:29.863+09:302011-06-21T11:09:29.863+09:30Greenfumb it's reassuring to hear a similar st...<b>Greenfumb</b> it's reassuring to hear a similar story particularly as yours had a happy ending. I think I will stick with olive oil over paraffin but I will take your advise and give her a massage.<br /><br /><b>Kat</b> the crop is squashy. So hopefully that means she doesn't have an impaction. I guess that is the importance of cutting out solids to help prevent impaction for occurring. And thanks for the tip about be careful not to squeeze to hard. It is simple little tips like that that are so important.<br /><br /><b>Gavin & Mrs Bok</b> thank you both for wishing us luck. Helps to make me feel supported.Jason Dingleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13332208335330160649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-3894400188729710552011-06-21T00:24:07.189+09:302011-06-21T00:24:07.189+09:30Best of luck Jason. I'm with greenfumb above. ...Best of luck Jason. I'm with greenfumb above. Hope Gerty recovers.littlekarstarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177535712034761585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-76672335878547039562011-06-20T22:49:03.183+09:302011-06-20T22:49:03.183+09:30I would have a feel of the crop first thing in the...I would have a feel of the crop first thing in the morning to see if it is squashy and fluid filled like a water balloon, or hard with an impaction (which may need gentle massaging after giving oil to help break it up), that way you'll have a better idea what you're dealing with. Be careful not to squeeze the contents up into her mouth because aspiration is a real problem then, give probiotics in some form as soon as you can and definitely no solids until the crop has emptied. I hope she get better soon!Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00389007877995149425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-3724691520151999812011-06-20T21:14:36.623+09:302011-06-20T21:14:36.623+09:30Best of luck with Gerty Jason. I hope the broth w...Best of luck with Gerty Jason. I hope the broth works.<br /><br />GavAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995214671079288985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212976055144932291.post-33782551201613779162011-06-20T19:08:31.034+09:302011-06-20T19:08:31.034+09:30Hi Jason, I have a chook with the exact same probl...Hi Jason, I have a chook with the exact same problem. I was told to give her yoghurt for the sour crop but I was stupid and let her keep eating the pellets as well so she became impacted. I was then told to use liquid paraffin to remove the blockage which did seem to work. I just used a syringe and put it under her tongue, that way she can't aspirate it into her lungs. You can also massage the crop to keep the food moving. <br /><br />My chook still gets a bit pendulous in the afternoons but she is not sour or impacted anymore. I only feed her layer mash either dry or wet now. No pellets or scratch mix.<br /><br />Good luck with your girl.<br /><br />I have held her hanging forward a bit to let some of the liquid come out but you're right it is dangerous to hold them upside down.greenfumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08157970942128503098noreply@blogger.com