Cornish Cross-Distended Crop

[Eve-Lee]

I have 20 Cornish Cross at a week old. Quite a few of them have very distended crops. My research tells me it is expected. But some of these seem VERY big. I have a few questions-hopefully someone can help.
At a week old is it wise to go to 12 hour feedings rather than a 24 hour all they can eat buffet?
Can I offer them some chick grit to help?

Ive got the pine shavings covered up with paper towel, but I'm certain they are still getting at some which could be the problem too. Am I right?
Here is a pic of one.

 

[tjo804]

I have 20 Cornish Cross at a week old. Quite a few of them have very distended crops. My research tells me it is expected. But some of these seem VERY big. I have a few questions-hopefully someone can help.
At a week old is it wise to go to 12 hour feedings rather than a 24 hour all they can eat buffet?
Can I offer them some chick grit to help?

Ive got the pine shavings covered up with paper towel, but I'm certain they are still getting at some which could be the problem too. Am I right?
Here is a pic of one.

Check out the Fermented Feed for meat Birds thread the people there really know their meaties!
does the crop stay like that? you might try feeding them some mash just mix feed with water so it is easier to digest for them.
No to the 12 on / off feeding at that age that schedule is for encouraging free ranging in meaties so they dont just lay next to the food bowl.

Hope this helps Good luck!

 

[Coralietg]

From what I have seen with mine, they do get very big crops after eating. It's especially dramatic when they get older, and it almost looks like a tumour. I am feeding fermented feed.

I also switched to 12 on 12 off at about a week old. I fed them before I went to bed, then when I got up in the morning. They are currently weighing about a week ahead of the Cornish weight guides, despite feeding this way.

 

[pipemum]

It's okay, the crop is totally normal for CX. They don't get to eating size in 6-8 weeks by eating normal amounts of food! The crops will look even worse in a couple of weeks, when the little fuzzy cuties go through their completely ugly stage...half fuzz, half bald, with a white feather sticking out here and there and a HUGE, pink crop swaying around.

I do fermented feed too, and feed them twice a day from 2 weeks on. I think mine probably grow more slowly than they should since I don't even do a 12/12 schedule, but they are beautiful, shiny, fat, and ready to go at 8-10 weeks. Plus they have totally normal poos and aren't stinky at all. I love FF with the CX.

 

[Eve-Lee]

The crops seem a bit smaller this morning. I might try some fermented feed though.
Thanks for all your replies! I may have just needed some reassurance that there wasn't something else going on.