5 week old chicks with slightly swollen crop?

[Dezincarolina]

Hi -- looking for some advice. I've read several posts about sour/impacted crop but I'm not completely sure that's what I have going on here. I have 5 chicks of different breeds all 5 weeks old. They are still in a very large bin set up as a brooder. (Coop to be ready next week) I have been using hay as bedding as I have so much left over from the horses. Last night, I noticed that the SLW chick had a lump about the size of a shooter marble slightly off centered on her breast. It was firm. I checked again this morning and it was still there but softer. Then I noticed another chick with the same soft swelling in the same place. Could they be eating the hay and it's causing these problems? They are all eating, drinking, and pooping just fine. Should I be worried? What should I do about it? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

That sounds like a normal crop to me. Are they eating and drinking and behaving normally otherwise? If so, no worries.

 

[Bill Matthews]

Lost 25 beautiful standard bred Partridge Rocks several years ago from impacted crops...They were eating the ends of fescue hay for some reason I never figured out...Started as slight greenish mouth discharge and then became hard . ...However, I hope you do not have a problem and the response from Green Family Farms is correct...Seems accurate to me...

 

[TATTOOJOSH]

Hi -- looking for some advice. I've read several posts about sour/impacted crop but I'm not completely sure that's what I have going on here. I have 5 chicks of different breeds all 5 weeks old. They are still in a very large bin set up as a brooder. (Coop to be ready next week) I have been using hay as bedding as I have so much left over from the horses. Last night, I noticed that the SLW chick had a lump about the size of a shooter marble slightly off centered on her breast. It was firm. I checked again this morning and it was still there but softer. Then I noticed another chick with the same soft swelling in the same place. Could they be eating the hay and it's causing these problems? They are all eating, drinking, and pooping just fine. Should I be worried? What should I do about it? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

they hold there food in the crop to grind up, so they Should have a bit of a lump. i dont think i have even seen a chicken without a lump unless it wasn't eating due to sickness. seems normal to me also, unless they are acting funny there probably good

 

[Dezincarolina]

Thanks guys - I think you are absolutely right. I just checked on them and all five seemed to have larger areas on one side of their chest. I watched them for an hour and they were all eating, drinking, and playing. I couldn't keep up with who all pooped exactly but for now I will relax. It helped greatly to have people take the time to respond to my question. I appreciate it very much!