Crop question (Warning: Newbie asking)

[2DogsFarm]

OK - not sure if this is the correct forum to post this on, but:

I read the anatomy chart on the LC page and Googled "poultry crop" so I am fairly sure I know what & where the crop is.

Now I need to know what I'm feeling - so far all of my 9wk old pullets' crops feel soft (and BTW - they would appreciate me not fondling them there, TYVM

)

Will I notice a marked difference if there's something going on?

I am working to get all of them to let me handle them and inspect their "parts" (wings, vents, feet, etc) w/o fuss so if I need to I can.
So far some are a heckuva lot more willing than others, but it hasn't even been a whole week yet.

Eagerly awaiting my next post, aren't ya?

 

[Uppity Peon]

Mine seem to somewhat enjoy me gently fondling their crops, althoug I don't do it very often. But it's interesting to know how they feel after gorging themselves on feed as compared to otherwise.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Have you tried the search function here? I don't think you are asking a silly question at all, it's the only way you learn.

 

[caralouise1974]

My buff orp falls asleep when I gently massage and tickle under her crop and also stroke and gently massage her tummy between her legs. They are her favourite petting spots, so that does make it easy for me to examine her when I need to.

You're absolutely right to try and get them used to being petted at a young age.

Our bluebelle (hatchery marans-based hybrid) clearly wasn't handled much as a chick at all, and refuses to be picked up or restrained in any way!

And yes, if their crops feel full in the morning before they have eaten, or if you feel a definite hard mass inside a crop, it could be due to crop impaction, which will need some (usually quite simple) intervention from you. While they all feel soft and are emptying fully overnight, your girls are doing just fine though

Don't worry too much about their crops unless you spot the problems I mentioned above.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Thanks guys!

My problem is I feel so tentative handling them - all my livestock knowledge is based on horses and it's a whole different world handling something that weighs less than 1000#!

But I'm getting a feel for it, and my pullets - so far 4 out of 5 - are getting less panicy when I do pick them up.

The little Houdan is still the biggest Drama Queen, but even she let me cuddle her a bit last night.

I can guarantee I'll be back with more questions