Barred Rock

[conniesue27]

One of my BR 5 day old chick seems to have a lump on the front of its neck. Anyone have any ideas what could cause this and will it be a problem when it gets older?

 

[Bettacreek]

It's probably just a full crop and nothing to worry about. Feel it, so long as they have feed and water, it should be a bit squishy.

 

[conniesue27]

What do you mean by a full crop....is it something that will go away or what?

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
Their crop is a part of their esophagus in which the food they eat is stored temporarily, it then goes to their stomach.

It gets larger when they eat, it's normal.

 

[conniesue27]

Thanks..thought I had a deformed chicken...

 

[Bettacreek]

Lol. I actually hear that a lot when neighbors visit my birds. Between cornish x broilers and pekin ducklings, you get a lot of questions about "that big lump on their chest".

 

[Happy Chooks]

Their crop is on the right side of the chickens breast. (your left if you are facing them) It will get full as they eat, but first thing in the morning it should be down again. If it stays enlarged or you notice a sour smell, then there's a problem and it needs to be taken care of or the bird can die.

 

[conniesue27]

What should I do if it wont go away....should it be squishy? Will it turn hard if I let it go?

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's probably fine, I just wanted to let you know what to look for when there's a problem. It will feel firm, kind of like a beany baby. Just keep an eye on it, that's all. Chances are you just have a little piggy chowing down. (where's the Oink smiley?)

 

[conniesue27]

What do you mean by "feeling firm"? Should it feel like that when it's full or if it's bad? It kinda feels like a beany baby now....