9 week old chicken has one larger breast

[slatimer2004]

I have noticed over the last few days that one of my 9 week old hens breasts has looked larger than the other. I checked her out this morning and it is substantially larger than the other side. It feels as though there is a sack full of sand/small rocks inside it. The size of it is about a silver dollar around and protrudes out a half an inch or better. Does anybody know what this is? Is it dangerous to her and the other chickens? Any information about this would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Griffinsong]

There is an organ called a crop on that side of the chicken's neck/chest, it contains food and grit in preparation for it going down into the digestive system. It is large after they eat. This part is normal and she may just have pigged out on food and grit.

Sometimes the crop can get impacted and is unable to go down. If it feels really hard, I would separate her, withhold food for a little while, and see if it goes down after a while, if not, it may be impacted and will need treatment, others can help you more on that part. I know more theory than practice when it comes to fowl.

 

[Mac14]

That should be the gizzard (I think that's what its called). Their food goes there first to get ground up by the pebbles that they eat, then it goes to their stomach. I believe that's how it goes. Every chicken has it. You can more often see and feel it better, after they have eaten. Hope I helped. Maybe someone can explain it better.

Edit: Didn't read the other post.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. That would probably be her right side, and she probably has a full crop. It should be full in the evening if she has been eating all day, then empty at night when she is sleeping. If it's not empty by morning, there could be a problem, such as impacted crop. In young chickens the crop looks pretty big after they have chowed down. Below is a good drawing of anatomy:

 

[slatimer2004]

Thank you to everyone. I wondered if it might be food. I didn't think about chickens having a crop. Makes sense. I will keep my eye on her. It's been puffed out for two days. I will keep my eye on her, since its been puffed for two days.
Thanks again!! And the diagram is very helpful as well!

 

[katbriar]

That should be the gizzard (I think that's what its called). Their food goes there first to get ground up by the pebbles that they eat, then it goes to their stomach. I believe that's how it goes. Every chicken has it. You can more often see and feel it better, after they have eaten. Hope I helped. Maybe someone can explain it better.

Edit: Didn't read the other post.

Just to clarify, the food gets stored in the crop first which is _outside_ of the rib cage before moving into the gizzard _inside_ the rib cage to get ground up.

See Eggcessive's diagram above.

 

[sparky00]

Whew! I've found the same thing in 3 week old chicks I have (the right side breast area being substantially larger). Glad I was able to search and find this post!! Yay BYC!!

 

[Kris5902]

Have to admit they do look pretty funny with their full crops! Lumpy chickens!