6 week old Silkie chick with large lump on chest

[Matcha34]

Hi guys! I'm new to this community of chicken lovers and I have a big question to ask you guys. I hope someone can answer it as it would be very helpful.

Background information : Chai lives in a brooder at the moment with other silkie chicks his age which has wood shavings as their bedding. They are now also getting some outside time in the long grass in a protected area. The chicks get 24/7 water and chick crumbles with an occasional treat of lettuce with grit as well.
So about 3 weeks ago, I noticed there was a little bump on chai's chest. ( the chick with the abscess ) at that time, I just thought it was the crop that was bigger and didn't take any notice of it. Now ,3 weeks later, the abscess has grown about double in size.( it is about 3 to 4 cm deep from his chest) Chai doesn't move as much as the other chicks and it looks like he puts all of his weight on the abcess/ lump, and doesn't stand up like other chicks the same age. Chai is still eating and drinking but isn't as perky as the other chicks. When I feel chai's lump, it feels like there is liquid inside it and you can push it to one side to another.

Another question I have is Should we put her down or try to change her living conditions?
Ps. Chai is about 6 weeks old

Thanks in advance xx

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does she have a source of grit (crushed granite)?

What does her breath smell like?

It's hard to tell if that is an abscess - it does look like very full crop that could be impacted or possibly a sour crop.

Provide a source of grit for her. Offer wet feed only and see that she is drinking well.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

 

[Matcha34]

Thank you so much!
Her breath sounds pretty ok to me , but I am only providing grit when they get the lettuce in a small plate, but they tip it over straight away. Chai is drinking normaly and eats the Norma, chicken crumble.
So should I give chai chicken crumble that has been soaked in water.? How quickly should it get better.

 

[Matcha34]

Oh, and the lump never goes down so does that mean it's sour crop?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you have a vet that can see her that would be best.

If what you are feeling/seeing is her crop and it never goes down, then she has a crop problem. Impacted crop most likely, which can turn sour since it sounds like it's not emptying.

The way to check it would be feel it at night before she goes to sleep, it should be full. Then check it first thing in the morning before eating/drinking - it should be empty or flat.
You need to give it overnight without food/water to see if it goes down.

If the crop has not emptied overnight, then you would need to treat her according to the article I linked for you.

Make grit available free choice during her waking hours. She needs grit in order to process her foods. Offer plenty of water and give CHICK STARTER only to see if she improves.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...d-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments.67194/