🐔 Sour Crop in Chickens: What It Is, How to Treat It & How to Prevent It

Ever notice your chicken acting lethargic, refusing food, and having a squishy, sour-smelling bulge in its chest area? That could be sour crop—a common but serious condition that every chicken keeper should know about.

Let’s break down what sour crop is, how to treat it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

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🧪 What Is Sour Crop?

Sour crop is a yeast infection (typically Candida albicans) in the chicken’s crop — the muscular pouch near the base of the neck where food is stored before digestion.

Normally, food enters the crop, softens, then passes into the stomach. But if the crop doesn’t empty properly, it becomes a warm, moist environment—perfect for yeast overgrowth.

The result? A fermenting, smelly, often swollen crop that can make your hen feel pretty miserable.

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🧍♀️ How to Tell if Your Chicken Has Sour Crop

Look for these common symptoms:

• A squishy, swollen crop that feels full even in the morning

• A sour, rotten smell coming from the beak

• Lethargy or weakness

• Decreased appetite or interest in food

• Weight loss or poor condition

• Fluid dripping from the beak

• Gurgling sounds when you pick them up

💡 Important: A full crop at night is normal, but the crop should be empty by morning. If it's still full and squishy after roosting, something’s wrong.

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🧯 Causes of Sour Crop

Sour crop can be triggered by several issues, including:

• Impacted crop: Food can’t pass through, leading to fermentation

• Moldy or spoiled feed

• Long-term antibiotic use (which disrupts gut flora)

• Poor diet (especially too much sugar, bread, or processed food)

• Dirty water or waterers

• Worms or other parasites

• Other underlying illnesses slowing crop function

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🛠️ How to Treat Sour Crop

If you suspect sour crop, it’s best to act quickly—early intervention gives the best results.

Step 1: Isolate the Affected Hen

Move her to a quiet, safe space where you can monitor her food and water intake.

Step 2: Withhold Food for 24 Hours

Give only water to allow the crop to rest and hopefully empty on its own.

Step 3: Encourage Crop Emptying

• You can gently massage the crop downward several times a day to help break up the contents.

• Do NOT try to make your chicken vomit unless under vet guidance—it’s risky and can lead to aspiration.

Step 4: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Water

Offer water with 1 tsp of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar per litre. ACV can help fight off the yeast.

Step 5: Antifungal Treatment

• For more serious cases, you may need an antifungal medication like nystatin (available from a vet).

• Some chicken keepers also use natural remedies like coconut oil or probiotics, but results can vary.

Step 6: Gradually Reintroduce Soft Foods

After 24–48 hours, begin feeding soft, easy-to-digest foods like:

• Scrambled egg

• Warm, soaked pellets

• Plain unsweetened yoghurt (sparingly)

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🏥 When to See a Vet

If:

• The crop isn’t emptying after 2–3 days

• Your hen can’t keep water down

• She’s losing weight rapidly

• You’re unsure how to proceed

…it’s time to get professional help. A vet can flush the crop, prescribe antifungal meds, or check for deeper issues.

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🛡️ How to Prevent Sour Crop

Prevention is key! Here’s how to reduce the risk of sour crop in your flock:

✅ Provide fresh, clean water daily
✅ Keep feed dry and clean—never offer moldy food
✅ Avoid feeding too many carbohydrate-heavy treats (like bread or pasta)
✅ Use grit to help chickens digest food properly
✅ Offer probiotics or fermented feed to support gut health
✅ Observe your flock—early signs are easier to treat!

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🐔 Final Thoughts

Sour crop can be unpleasant for both you and your chicken, but with quick action and the right care, most hens recover well. Keep an eye on your flock’s crops, feed quality, and overall health to help prevent problems before they start.

A healthy crop = a happy chook!

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– The Chook Manor Team 🐓💛