Chick with problem or full crop?

[ayka]

Hi all. I've read all the don't panic it's a full crop threads I could find, but would anyone like to reassure me that that's what's going on for my 1 week-old baby? You can see in the pic that she's got a big lump off to the left of her neck. It feels kind of hard, but I didn't poke it too much in case it was hurting her.

 

[ten chicks]

Hi all. I've read all the don't panic it's a full crop threads I could find, but would anyone like to reassure me that that's what's going on for my 1 week-old baby? You can see in the pic that she's got a big lump off to the left of her neck. It feels kind of hard, but I didn't poke it too much in case it was hurting her.

Looks like a full crop,but to make sure check crop at night after eating,should be full,check again in morning before eating,should be small and empty. This way you will know. Also if eating anything other than chick feed,they need grit.

 

[8675309j]

I am not experienced but I would wait it out and see if it moves through before worrying too much. I remember mine feeling full and off to the side and by morning it was gone. I can still feel mine at 8 weeks old but can't see it as much.

 

[ayka]

Thank you. I gave them some raw oatmeal (the instant kind) as a treat yesterday. Otherwise all they've had is chick starter. Would grit for parrots be okay? It's got ground oyster shells in it, so I was worried about giving it to them because of the calcium...

 

[ten chicks]

Thank you. I gave them some raw oatmeal (the instant kind) as a treat yesterday. Otherwise all they've had is chick starter. Would grit for parrots be okay? It's got ground oyster shells in it, so I was worried about giving it to them because of the calcium...

Yes, they need grit if eating oatmeal. No, oyster shells have too much calcium. I am not familiar with parrot grit,but as long as it does not contain a lot of calcium,then it will be fine. Sand is good also.

 

[ayka]

She's still not better this morning. Advice? The other 4 chicks are totally fine. Should I feed her some olive oil?

 

[ayka]

I just went and felt it carefully, and it seems to be quite hard with little lumps in it that I'm hoping are bits of grit (I gave them the parrot/budgie grit last night). She's still able to get around but is starting to look a little less lively. I had her out of the brooder and she pooped a wet brown poop. No blood that I could see, but very wet. I have them on medicated starter and they're in my house with no access to outside dirt so I'm hoping it's not Cocci. They're on shavings right now (were on paper towels for the first few days), I sometimes see them pecking at the shavings. Maybe she's been eating them? I can put paper towels down again this morning and then I can pick up some sand after work today. Thoughts?

 

[ayka]

So I replaced the shavings with sand, and I've put some of their feed mixed with olive oil in the brooder with them. She still seems alert and moving around fine. She's definitely not hunched and fluffed. The mass in her neck seems a little smaller this evening I think, although it may be wishful thinking. I massaged it gently in a downward direction. If she's not better tomorrow I'll call the vet...

 

[ayka]

I thought I would post an update for posterity. I took the chick to a local avian vet clinic yesterday and left her there overnight. The vet was very clear that we should be using shavings and not sand (apparently sand is more likely to cause impaction). She gave the chick applesauce and lactulose, and the crop managed to clear. Phew! She recommends feeding more applesauce and lactulose in addition to crumbles for the next few days. I'm just so pleased that she'll be okay!

 

[ernie85017]

Thanks for posting this. Good information for future use!