Chicks' crops???

[PoultryGirly]

Hi. Some (most) of my chicks have a gushy ball under their neck. Is that their crop? It feels gushy, but you can't notice it just looking at them. Start & Grow medicated chick feed is fed to them, but food is not always there. They are fed in the morning, evening, and night. They always run fast to get it and eat fast.

 

[Snow mom]

Yes, the crop is on the right side of the chick under the neck and it's not unusual to be able to feel it there. Why aren't you free feeding the chicks? They should really have access to food at all times--they are growing fast.

 

[PoultryGirly]

I put a lot in there at a time and they eat it all so fast. I will try to get one of those dispenser feeders. Now their crops are flat again. Is this normal? I'm pretty new to this.