crop or something more serious?

[karen+3chickens]

I am so glad I found BYC! I have 3 chickens 2 1/2 months old. They all seem to be doing good expect for my Plymouth Rock. I noticed she had a big bulge on her chest. When I touched it it felt kind of squishy and when she puts her head down it sags and wiggles. I think it might be her crop, but the bulge has not gone down for a few days. She is on grower feed (mixed with leftover starter feed) and has access to greens all day long. I put some grit in the coop yesterday, but it didn't seem to help the bulge go down. I'm not sure if I should be worried, if it will go away on its own, or if I need to somehow intervene. I have heard of soaking bread in mineral oil and feeding it to her, but have also heard that some chickens need surgery to remove whatever is stuck. I would appreciate any advice, I'm really worried about her.

 

[sammi]

there are many threads here about this subject..try and do a search..
there is a sticky at the top of the page about the surgery.

here is a technique you can try:

http://happyhenhouse.proboards43.com/index.cgi?board=natural&action=display&thread=5257

 

[karen+3chickens]

Thank you for the link! I have been searching this website for crop for a few days. That is how I found out it might be her crop and about the oil soaked bread. Where her crop doesn't feel hard yet, is there still a chance that she will pass it on her own? I have tried massaging her a few times, but I am not able to for long periods of time (she does not like being touched). I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I am very new to chickens.