4 week chick with a bloated stomach! Please help!!

[priscillalogan]

Im really worried about my chick, its been 2 or 3 days that she has had a bloated/big tummy and I'm not sure how to help her. On sunny days I take her outside in my backyard and she eats anything she finds like grass, worms. Is there a solution? I know its not normal because she sleeps a lot, doesnt enjoy jumping/flying around and isnt as active. Is there anything I can do?

I need all the advice I can get!

 

[PoultryGirly]

Are you sure it isn't her crop? A crop is a bag-like pouch that stores the bird's food before it gets digested. It is on the right side of the chest and sometimes gets noticeable bigger after eating. If chickens are fed in the evening, their crop should be empty the next morning.

 

[priscillalogan]

I think it is. I can feel the pouch in the middle of her chest. Should I take away her food at night and just leave water and see if that helps?
Her pouch is always bigger than the rest of the chicks. Its been the same size for a couple of days and I havent notice a decrease in the size of the pouch. What do you think?

 

[PoultryGirly]

She may have an impacted crop. Does her crop feel firm or like slush?

 

[priscillalogan]

Its not firm, its the opposite, more like squishy.

 

[kacklinkelly]

When you take her outside to eat, do you provide grit for her to ground up
any of the outside food she is eating?

 

[priscillalogan]

I do not! I dont give grit to any of my chickens. Do you get grit from a farm store? How do you give it to your chickens?

 

[kacklinkelly]

Sorry for delay, I have provided chick grit which is ground up rock that I bought
packaged at the feed store. I put some in a small bowl and let them decide if they
want it or not. Anytime I gave my chicks treats, I mixed it in with the treats (maybe
a tablespoon or two) sometimes they ate it and sometimes
they didn't. My hens are 6 months old now. Just two days ago, one of my girls
had what appeared to be an enlarged crop for a couple of days. I provided her
a few drops of olive oil and put the chick grit back in the run since she hadn't been
able to free range for a few days. The next morning, her crop went down. I also
know that for me, being new to raising chickens makes me want to know everything
and anything I can to make sure I do it "right". My adult daughter reminds me that
chickens have survived long before I ever had them and to lighten up. I think she
has something there. Hoping all is well with your little one.

 

[daoustaj]

I had a chicken with a large squishy gassy crop, and they have access to grit. She became sleep yand pale so i had read to add apple cider vinigar tp the water (look up ratio! If its to sour - may not drink. . ) and next evening she was fine. The acidity fan help the digestive system and health and break up a blockage.

 

[priscillalogan]

Did you put the olive oil in water? And just a few drops helped? Alright maybe I'll try that. Last night I took away their food and this morning I looked at her and still had a oversized crop. I really appreciate your help