Appropriate Crop Size

[The Coop Crew]

What is the appropriate size for a full crop? I have a cross beak that gets mash three times a day and I’m not sure if I’m over feeding her? Her crop is about the size of a large golf ball when she’s done eating. She’s 12 weeks for reference!

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

That sounds about right size. Chickens won’t intentionally over eat chicken feed. Treats—that’s a different story, and for that reason treats should be a rare treat, ie. weekly in small quantity.

 

[The Coop Crew]

That sounds about right size. Chickens won’t intentionally over eat chicken feed. Treats—that’s a different story, and for that reason treats should be a rare treat, ie. weekly in small quantity.

Thank you! They only get a few dried meal worms to get them in the coop at night

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chickens evolved to be prey animals, lots of things like to eat them in the wild. They are more vulnerable when they are eating. So instinctively they tend to fill up their crop and then go someplace safer to digest it. Then when the crop is empty they go fill it up again. Don't worry if the crop gets really full as long as it empties itself over time. That is the way it is supposed to work.

We have domesticated them so they have lost some of their instincts, some more than others. Not all chickens follow all their instincts since we control their feeding and housing so you can see exceptions. I don't see anything wrong with your hen as the crop is emptying as it should.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Chickens evolved to be prey animals, lots of things like to eat them in the wild. They are more vulnerable when they are eating. So instinctively they tend to fill up their crop and then go someplace safer to digest it. Then when the crop is empty they go fill it up again. Don't worry if the crop gets really full as long as it empties itself over time. That is the way it is supposed to work.

We have domesticated them so they have lost some of their instincts, some more than others. Not all chickens follow all their instincts since we control their feeding and housing so you can see exceptions. I don't see anything wrong with your hen as the crop is emptying as it should.

Thank you!!
That makes sense!
Hers is empty in the morning so all is well