All my Chicks with enlarged crops, not sure why or how?

[elisavet68]

I noticed all 13 chicks that are 5 to 6 weeks old started having enlarged crops two days ago after I transferred them from inside brooder on pine shavings to outside on sand and rice hulls. Wondering if the rice hulls might be the culprit and if this is a problem or not. Yesterday they seem like full crops and I took there food away, and in the morning they went down so I gave them bread soaked in olive oil, apple cider vinegar in water and rationed food. Today they swelled up again. They don't seem sick and the crop seems firm, I don't smell anything sour.
I've had chicks before and never saw this, just looked at the threads and wondered what the cause may be and if it's serious or normal. They are still on chick starter. Do I need to worry or do something different?

 

[CedarAcres]

Are the crops emptying normally overnight? If they are, I wouldn't worry. They are probably just gorging themselves on food since they are growing.

 

[elisavet68]

Are the crops emptying normally overnight? If they are, I wouldn't worry. They are probably just gorging themselves on food since they are growing.

Yes they are emptying, but I've never seen this before with my other chicks. Is this normal? or a sign of a developing problem with their crops? They're not supposed to get that big are they?
Thanks for you help

 

[Eggcessive]

Some chicks will eat a lot of sand when first exposed to it. If their crops are empty in the morning, it is probably fine. When they start eating more things like grass, bugs, grains, they need chick grit, then regular grit by 7-8 weeks. Sand acts as grit, but it is maybe too small.

 

[CedarAcres]

Maybe they have developed a taste for the rice hulls? I'd sit and watch them for a bit and see if you notice them eating a lot of them. I've heard of rice pieces being left over in the hulls.. maybe they are finding them & they are swelling up in their crops? I don't use rice hulls as bedding so I can't really say if its common for them to eat it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Get some grit from the feed store (sand is OK usually for chicks for grit but you sound like you are having issues) is what I'd do. They need some sharp granite grit, sounds like.