Chicken Autopsy

[mycindysfarm]

I had a 3rd chicken die in a few weeks of each other. If I have a 4th I will definately take it to be tested. This chicken i cut open to see if I could figure anything out. This is what I found, which I really have no idea what I'm looking at. First thing was a big air bubble on the chest that was filled with greyish liquid. The stomach was really hard. Filled completely with food, little pebbles, grass. the intestine was empty. Could this be an impacted crop? The chickens were all around 5 months old. I started giving a small amount of oyster shell. Was it too early to start? There were no worms anywhere inside.

 

[Kiki]

Did you happen to take pictures?

 

[mycindysfarm]

No , I didn't even think of taking pictures. Was just surprised I was able to do it.

 

[Kiki]

You did a great job!!!

Pictures are worth 1000 words in this situation.
Next time...remember.

 

[mycindysfarm]

I can't imagine the stomach should be so hard like that. I'm googling but not finding much. Next time I'll bring an assistant to take pics.

 

[Kiki]

@casportpony might be able to tell you something about the stomach.
I sure can't.
I was hoping you has pics or me to learn from.

 

[casportpony]

I can't imagine the stomach should be so hard like that. I'm googling but not finding much. Next time I'll bring an assistant to take pics.

Crop, proventriculas, gizzard... which one was hard? Did you slice it open?

 

[mycindysfarm]

I looked at a diagram and I'm pretty sure it was the gizzard. It was the closest to the intestine. Yes I sliced it open. It was Filled with what looked like little pieces of grass, mushed up chicken feed, very small white rocks, possably small pieces of feather.

 

[casportpony]

I looked at a diagram and I'm pretty sure it was the gizzard. It was the closest to the intestine. Yes I sliced it open. It was Filled with what looked like little pieces of grass, mushed up chicken feed, very small white rocks, possably small pieces of feather.

Gizzards are supposed to he firm.

 

[mycindysfarm]

How about the grey liquid that was in the crop? Is this normal?