Chicken Health | SOUR CROP

Does My Chicken Have Sour Crop?

Sour crop is a yeast infection in the crop leading to thickening of the crop wall, dilation of the crop and birds losing condition and possibly dying.
Sour Crop is caused by a disrreat a flock with a serious worm burden.

Diagram of a chicken's internal anatomy.

Diagram showing position of crop in a hen.

The crop of a healthy Light Sussex hen

Symptoms

The chicken will be unwell
have trouble swallowing
be hydrated
may have a sour smelling breath
The crop may or may not be enlarged but could feel more liquid and be squishy.

Sour crop is caused by a yeast or fungal fermentation in the crop or bacteria involvement in the crop or a blockage somewhere (possibly in the gizzard) that is preventing the food moving past, which then begins to ferment.

Treatment

You can try clearing the crop of any liquid by holding the bird upside down, then gently squeeze the crop, so the liquid runs out the beak. A small syringe of water with apple cider vinegar can help acidify the crop and kill off any fermentation going on. The other option is a trip to the Vet. If the bird does not improve over two to 3 days the best thing to do is to humanely euthanise it.