Crop? Lump?

[raving_liberal]

4 day old chick, breed uncertain. Lump on her neck. Reading through the forums, I know it’s likely her crop and everything is fine, but I’m a first timer and we already lost three of the 16 chicks (2 DOA, one died over the first night). Doesn’t feel hard but isn’t just an air pocket. If I press gently it slowly depresses. Chick doesn’t seem to be in distress, no peeps or struggle if I touch her neck. She’s eating and drinking, vent is clear, active and personable.

Reassure me or tell me to worry, please? (Also open to guesses as to breed? She has black legs)

pics 1&2 from last night, 3-5 from tonight.

 

[NatJ]

For whether it's the crop: you can feel for the crops on the other chicks too, for comparison. Every chick has a crop at the base of their neck in the front, usually a bit off to one side, but they will probably be different amounts full on different chicks. Even on the same chick, the crop will be more or less full at different times of the day. Sometimes they really stuff themselves!

If the chick seems healthy--eating, sleeping, pooping, etc--then I wouldn't worry.