HI All,
I'm Didymo. I'm new at keeping chickens but its been something I have been wanting to do for a long time.
Finally the time was right and we spent a few months designing and building our coop and run. 3 weeks ago 6 beautiful hens arrived and its been great.
For all I did a lot of research before purchasing my girls there are still a number of things which I'm unsure about and hope that you all can help me out when in need. I want to do everything that I can to ensure my girls are happy and healthy.
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
One of my girls a Rhode Rock. 18weeks old. has JUST started laying (yesterday). When I was putting them to bed I noticed this particular hen had a very enlarged crop. this morning it had pretty much vanished but I have been keeping an eye on her all morning it was enlarged again about 2 hours later.
I've heard and read about impacted crop and how to expel the blockage, but with it going up and down I was wondering is it possible that the crop is enlarged because she has just eaten? I don't want to start removing it if its what she has just eaten.
They get a varied diet fresh fruits and vegetable, worms and bugs (my daughter loves digging for worms for them) and layers pellets.
I make them a porridge for bed which is made up of oats sultanas and natural yoghurt which I occasionally mix in some poultry spice. Water with apple cider vinegar.. Both food and water are available 24/7.
She let me feel it and massage it with no fuss it felt firm not squidgy. Is this normal or should I be taking action???
She is very energetic seems happy and well with no change to get behaviour.
Hope someone can help!
Many Thanks
I'm Didymo. I'm new at keeping chickens but its been something I have been wanting to do for a long time.
Finally the time was right and we spent a few months designing and building our coop and run. 3 weeks ago 6 beautiful hens arrived and its been great.
For all I did a lot of research before purchasing my girls there are still a number of things which I'm unsure about and hope that you all can help me out when in need. I want to do everything that I can to ensure my girls are happy and healthy.
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
One of my girls a Rhode Rock. 18weeks old. has JUST started laying (yesterday). When I was putting them to bed I noticed this particular hen had a very enlarged crop. this morning it had pretty much vanished but I have been keeping an eye on her all morning it was enlarged again about 2 hours later.
I've heard and read about impacted crop and how to expel the blockage, but with it going up and down I was wondering is it possible that the crop is enlarged because she has just eaten? I don't want to start removing it if its what she has just eaten.
They get a varied diet fresh fruits and vegetable, worms and bugs (my daughter loves digging for worms for them) and layers pellets.
I make them a porridge for bed which is made up of oats sultanas and natural yoghurt which I occasionally mix in some poultry spice. Water with apple cider vinegar.. Both food and water are available 24/7.
She let me feel it and massage it with no fuss it felt firm not squidgy. Is this normal or should I be taking action???
She is very energetic seems happy and well with no change to get behaviour.
Hope someone can help!
Many Thanks
