Breast blisters on Cornish X

[AussieSharon]

I just went out to the coop and noticed one of my 3 week old cornish X has a large breast blister. Upon inspeaction a few others have them too. Is there a way to prevent them? They are on a restricted diet, don't have access to a perch but I do notice they are so lazy they lay on their sides and eat out of the feeder

 

[BirdBrain]

Are you changing the bedding frequently enough (or adding another layer) so that they are not laying on their poo and getting blisters from the ammonia? Just can't think of any thing else besides a perch which you don't have.

 

[AussieSharon]

I don't think the litter is the problem. It is kept very clean and changed regularly. I was surprised to see the blisters. Not sure what I could be doing wrong for them to get them.

 

[greyfields]

Two things going on here:

1) It is a breed characteristic for Cornish to have a naked keel line. This is passed down into Cornish Crosses.

2) Are you positive you're not just seeing their crop and think it's a huge blister? Their crops will be massive and will always feel like a jelly filled tumor.

Suggestions:
Make sure they don't have roosts or any kind of wire which they could be dragging themselves along.

 

[hiddenmagnolia]

Is your litter deep enough. As they get heaver the litter needs to be deep enough that the birds do not sink to the floor. I always used at least 6" and stirred it twice a day to fluff it up.