Can a chicken eat too much sand?

[KayleighW]

I have a young chick, about 4-5 weeks old, separated from the rest because she has an impacted crop. She had a hay bedding that I think she may have eaten that caused the impacted crop. Now she is on just sand and she is eating it, a lot of it. Is this good for her or will it cause more problems? Help please!

 

[Alaskan]

I would think that any sand she eats will help with the impacted crop, and all extra sand will pass through her, helping to clear her out.


Is she doing fine now?

 

[KayleighW]

I took her to the vet for surgery. I felt bad for her and didn't want to wait any longer to see what happened. She is healing up now and doing great! The Vet said it was a big mass of hay that was in there. Hopefully she doesn't do that again.

 

[Alaskan]

Blach!

Super silly chick!


I have had chickens on hay, and they have never eaten any.

I sure am glad everything turned out alright!

Yeah!

 

[KayleighW]

I've had others on the hay with no problems, but I guess there's always "that one" problem chick. The vet was really good about it. I was worried originally if she would even do the surgery, and how much it would cost. She was a little hesitant about doing it, but told me $25. In the end she didn't charge me, but traded for a few chicks. Can't beat that!

 

[Alaskan]

Ooh! Very nice!