Sour crop in chickens
Sour crop is a yeast (Candida) overgrowth in the crop. The crop feels squishy, smells foul, and the bird stops eating.
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Open AI Chicken DoctorMost likely causes
1. Yeast overgrowth after antibiotics
Antibiotics kill the good gut bacteria, letting Candida bloom.
2. Moldy or spoiled feed
Wet feed or scratch left in dishes ferments and seeds the crop.
3. Long grass or fibrous treats
Indigestible material slows crop emptying and lets yeast take over.
4. Underlying impaction
A slow-emptying crop from earlier impaction often becomes sour.
What to check first
- Feel the crop first thing in the morning, should be empty.
- Open her beak and smell, yeasty, sour, vomit-like odor?
- Liquid coming up when held upside down (dangerous, risk of aspiration)?
- Crop squishy and full of fluid?
Home care that works
- Withhold all food for 12-24 hours; water only with electrolytes.
- Gently massage the crop 5-10 minutes several times a day to break up the contents.
- Add raw apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp per gallon) to water for 3 days.
- When she starts eating again, offer plain yogurt and probiotics for a week.
- Cull soft pumpkin or scrambled eggs as small meals; no grain, no fruit, no greens for 3 days.
Call a vet if
- Crop doesn't empty after 24 hours of fasting.
- Bird is gasping, gurgling, or aspirating.
- Severe lethargy or weight loss.
- Recurrent sour crop episodes (likely underlying issue).
Frequently asked questions
Should I induce vomiting in a chicken with sour crop?
Almost never, birds can easily aspirate the fluid and die. Only an experienced poultry keeper or vet should attempt this.
Will sour crop go away on its own?
Very rarely. Without intervention it usually progresses and kills the bird.
Related symptoms
What to do about a squishy, sour crop
A healthy crop is full at night and empty by morning. A sour crop stays full, feels soft and squishy like a water balloon, and the bird's breath smells sour or yeasty. It is usually a yeast overgrowth after food sat too long in the crop.
Today
- Check her crop first thing in the morning, before she eats. Full and squishy confirms it.
- Separate her and take away food for a short time, but leave water.
- Gently massage the crop downward to help it move. Stop if she struggles.
- Offer small amounts of soft food once the crop starts to empty.
- Check the coop for moldy feed, long grass or stale water.
About making her vomit
You will see advice online to tip a hen forward and empty the crop. It carries a real risk of her inhaling the fluid, which can kill her. Only do it if a vet shows you how.
Look-alikes
A hard, doughy crop is impacted crop, and the fix is different. A full crop in a bird that is not eating can also be a sign of a blockage further down, including a stuck egg or Marek's in young birds. See sour crop for more on the yeast side.
When to call a vet
Call if the crop is still full after a day of care, if she is weak or losing weight, or if it keeps coming back. A vet can prescribe an antifungal and look for an underlying cause.
Prevention
Fresh feed, clean water, no moldy scraps, and short grass in the run. Avoid long stringy grass clippings.
Eggs
If she gets medication, check the product label or ask a vet before eating her eggs.
Common questions about sour crop in chickens
How do I know if my chicken has sour crop?
A soft, squishy crop in the morning and sour breath are the main signs.
Can sour crop go away on its own?
Mild cases sometimes clear with care. Ongoing ones need a vet.
Does apple cider vinegar cure sour crop?
No. It will not cure a yeast infection. Ask a vet about a proper treatment.
