chickens getting big bellies (not sure if disease)

[mastodons]

Some of the chickens at the chicken rescue where I volunteer are getting big bellies. They started getting them a month or so ago and they are getting bigger.
Any ideas how to treat this?

 

[sourland]

Birds appear to be in good health. If you are concerned that they are overweight, cut back on the feed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are you calling a big belly?
Can you circle it in the photos?

If these are at a Rescue, then you probably have a Vet that can be consulted, correct?

 

[mastodons]

What are you calling a big belly?
Can you circle it in the photos?

If these are at a Rescue, then you probably have a Vet that can be consulted, correct?

I couldn’t find my video of the chicken with a very big belly that swung back and forth when she walked. I posted these because I was worried that their bellies might keep growing like hers did. I’ll try to find the tool that lets me circle bits and repost

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I couldn’t find my video of the chicken with a very big belly that swung back and forth when she walked. I posted these because I was worried that their bellies might keep growing like hers did. I’ll try to find the tool that lets me circle bits and repost

Are you asking about the Crop (see photo below)?

The crop is located on the right side of the breast and it's like a pouch that holds food/water. When a hen eats, this fills up and food is held until it moves to the Proventriculus (stomach), from there food is processed further through the digestive system (gizzard, intestines, etc.).

It's normal to see the crop in various stages of fill during the day when the hen has been eating/drinking and it should be full(ish) at night when she goes to roost. As she's sleeping, the contents are processed throughout the night and the crop should be empty/flat by morning.

If the crop is not emptying overnight, then that does need to be addressed. If it's swinging and not emptying, then that needs to be addressed as well. The crop is somewhat elastic and can become stretched and is difficult to empty, this is when you would call it a Pendulous Crop.

It may be difficult to gauge function since you are working with a rescue - the easiest way is to feel the crop at night when the hen goes to roost, then first thing in the morning before she eat/drinks. I'm going to say the one that has the swinging crop probably needs a bra, but could be wrong.
The others in the photo - the white hens especially, look to be in good condition and the crop looks to be a normal "fill" for daytime.

Read over this article which will help you address the symptom. The bigger concern with a Pendulous crop is that it can turn sour since it's not emptying and sometimes a hen is really not getting enough nutrients because the contents are not getting processed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Keep us posted.