Choking/eating too fast or something else? Video included.

[SavageDestiny]

First and foremost, video of the behavior.

That is from this morning during their breakfast. Tillie, the Easter Egger in question, did this yesterday morning as well. However, she did NOT do this when eating their "snack" of various leafy greens later in the day, and did NOT do it while eating dinner last night. Their dinner is the same fermented feed mix- home made, consisting of whole grains and seeds. When I realized she was doing it again this morning, I got out the camera.

I did feel her crop this morning, I caught her as I let them out of the coop before she had a chance to eat anything. It was small, less than shooter marble size, and not squishy or liquidy. All I could feel in there was some grit.

Should I be worried about this? Is she just eating too fast and "choking" or could there be something wrong with her? She's acting otherwise normal- eating, drinking, scratching around the run, etc. She did lay yesterday. I have not seen her exhibit this behavior except when eating breakfast yesterday and today.

 

[SavageDestiny]

I just gave them their snack. Tillie ate mango, strawberry tops, and various leafy greens with none of the choking type thing happening. Thoughts?

 

[SavageDestiny]

She did not do this when eating dinner tonight, same food that she ate this morning. Should I be worried?

 

[SavageDestiny]

Nobody has any ideas?

 

[cafarmgirl]

All I can say is I have a chicken who occasionally does this type of thing and in her case it does seem to be related to her gobbling her food. My bird is a big bird, middle of the pecking order, but she gobbles everything and sometimes she has to stop a moment to stretch her neck, gape her beak and do some swallowing. Then she's fine. I have no idea if that's what's also going on with your bird but it looks similar to what I see in mine.

 

[SavageDestiny]

All I can say is I have a chicken who occasionally does this type of thing and in her case it does seem to be related to her gobbling her food. My bird is a big bird, middle of the pecking order, but she gobbles everything and sometimes she has to stop a moment to stretch her neck, gape her beak and do some swallowing. Then she's fine. I have no idea if that's what's also going on with your bird but it looks similar to what I see in mine.

Thanks for the reply. I separated her today so she could be less bullied, and she didn't choke at all while eating. I'm just so new to chickens I'm not sure what is panic worthy and what's not!

 

[Sjisty]

It looks like she's just eating faster than she's swallowing, so she has to stop and "catch up." Morning is when they are the hungriest, so she's trying to eat as much as she can as fast as she can. Later in the day maybe she's a little slower, so everything is going down easier. I don't think it's anything to worry about.