Sour Crop In Chickens
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 disruption of the normal bacteria that inhabit the crop with an overgrowth of Candidia (a fungal species) often occurring.
The crop is a part of the oesophagus (food pipe) where the initial stages of digestion occur.
- chicken vet
I was struck by an inquiry dropped in my question box on Instagram and it propagated thought after thought on the issue of “sour crop” in chickens. Being a keeper myself, I’ve obviously heard of this serious condition and am aware of its severity, however have never personally had any issues in the years that I have been managing flocks. I began to go over my habits, environment and routines wondering why it is that something so frequently in others flocks has skipped me all these years.
Luck?
The one thing that I know I do differently than most others who own either backyard chickens or homestead chickens, is my routine use of herbs for maintaining health + managing pests and parasites.
Another factor is my strict belief in an ancestral diet and conditioning / environment if possible (or at least a replica ie; instinctual habits) + HIGH quality feed and if possible home made feed and introduction of ruminant organs.
An herb that I could never be without while keeping animals is Oregano. My use of oregano oil is constant and my animals friend on this for parasitic management and protection against internal infections. If sour crop indeed is a fungal infection itself, than my use of this common plant could very well be the key to avoiding many of the ailments that plague many animal keepers.
O R E G A N O O I L
cold pressed, pure (ensure it’s not mixed with carrier oils like vegetable or seed oils) and organic is a massive game changer in the health and vitality of the body. It’s common knowledge that it is
1. Antibacterial
2. Anti inflammatory
3. Improves digestion
4. Relieves anxiety
5. Antioxidant rich
6. Treats infection
7. ANTI FUNGAL
Did you catch that last one?
I personally use it in all water troughs once every several months with a two week gap.
What maybe less common knowledge is that #oreganooil is also 100% safe for majority of farm animals. It contains TWO different antioxidant properties that prevent parasites from creating biofilm. Microorganisms produce biofilms to protect themselves from our immune system and to form into a larger community, which comes with many benefits to the microorganisms. Oregano oil therefore can be used as a “dewormer” for not only your animals, but for yourself as well.
I believe proper diet and enhancement by NATURAL means is the top way to prevention. A method of advice I can’t stress enough is to spend time! Spend time with your animals. Before reacting, watch and make notes. Take time to look up common house hold herbs and oils that help the human body and begin a dive into the safety for your animals use as well.
