Baby Chick's Enlarged Crop

[crittercarepets]

We are fairly new chicken owners (2 or 3 years). I received my 2nd order of chicks thru the mail the 2 weeks ago. One of the Salmon Faverolles had an enlarged chest and when my husband pick it up, it barfed on him.

From what we can gather, this is an enlarged crop? Is there anything we can do for the chick? We will separate it from the other 5 chicks tomorrow. Should I withhold food and just give it water and vegetable broth until the lump goes down? It only eats chick feed.

I am really worried I will lose another chick (one died about 4 days after we received it).

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

Bobbie

 

[mnferalkitty]

I don't think anything is wrong, just sounds like it eats a lot and stores it for later, it might just be more piggy then the others. I wouldn't be giving it vegetable broth it might cause watery poo and then thats a another problem to deal with. Just watch it for a few days and make sure it is acting normal, eating and drinking normal etc.

 

[Aschenfire]

Like Feralkitty said, it sounds like nothing to worry about or to separate that baby over. He probably pressed on its crop when he picked it up and if the crop was full, some stuff came up. Withholding food from a baby is a bad idea... giving it broth would not work the same as it does with humans with an "upset stomach".

 

[crittercarepets]

Thanks a bunch guys... already lost one chick and my broody Buff Orpington and her one hatch chick to a coon last week. Don't know that I could handle any more of them dying!

Much Appreciated!

Bobbie

 

[crittercarepets]

Okay, the lump seems like it is MUCH bigger than what the crop would be. AND it's like you can see it bulging from the skin in her neck. Here's a picture of it. It's the size a big egg. Any ideas?



That pink bald spot to the left of her beak is part of the bulge.

 

[mnferalkitty]

Can't really tell from the photo, is it hard or soft?

 

[crittercarepets]

It is really soft. Like when the eggs come out without a hard shell. It's really soft like it's full of a liquid vs. food.

 

[Leavingegypt]

I have a chick with a similar issue @ 2 weeks old. It has been this way for about 36 hours, so it's not just a "full" crop. From what I have read it can be an impacted crop from a blockage of food, bedding or ? It can also be sour crop which means that there is a build up of foul liquid and food.
So far I have been leaning towards a blockage- this group of chicks are extremely active and I have had a hard time keeping shavings out of their feeder and waterer. I have isolated the chick and taken away food so we don't pile more food ontop. I have been giving the chick crop massages often and trying to give it some oil soaked bread. There is only water with ACV in the "hospital" pen. Well that and a stuffed animal for warmth and comfort. Hopefully we can work the blockage loose.
Now a chick who is being piggy can have a swollen crop, but if it goes on past overnight and does not get better, it's time to think it's more serious.