Crop?

[M To The Maxx]

Where is a chicken's crop? What is their crop? How bad is it if the crop is filled or emptied?

 

[PortageGirl]

Whoooo, been a long time since that 4H project ... errr, not saying how many years ago! Lets see, the crop is at the base of the neck, just above the breast. If you've seen a swollen looking pouchy thing there as they go to roost at night, THATs the crop.

It's sort of a storage sack so hens can eat and eat, then go hide and it will keep supplying small amounts of food into the stomach... the stomach is sort of in two parts, the upper part digests food partially, then the lower part which is actually the 'gizzard' is where the grit resides, and the softened food from the upper part is then ground up more there... then they poo!

Anyone who knows better, don't hesitate to correct me!!!! this is the simple version, and like I said, that 4H project was a LOOONNNNGGGG time ago!

yes, I'm old.

 

[PortageGirl]

Bad? it's not bad either way depending on the time of day and when they've eaten last.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

That sounds about right

The main thing you need to watch out for is impaction. When the birds go to roost, it is usually pretty full. But by the time it's morning it should be completely (or nearly) empty, otherwise you've got a problem.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Quote:
Could a impacted crop result in death? What if you some don't see that the crop is full when they go to roost? Do roosters have a crop? Sorry for all the questions. I might have a couple more.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Could a impacted crop result in death? What if you some don't see that the crop is full when they go to roost? Do roosters have a crop? Sorry for all the questions. I might have a couple more.

Well, "technically" like any other ailment left untreated, eventually it could lead to death, I don't know the details on it. If you don't see the crop, then go ahead and feel it. Will feel differently depending on what the bird ate. Roosters do have crops. All birds do.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Quote:
Could a impacted crop result in death? What if you some don't see that the crop is full when they go to roost? Do roosters have a crop? Sorry for all the questions. I might have a couple more.

Well, "technically" like any other ailment left untreated, eventually it could lead to death, I don't know the details on it. If you don't see the crop, then go ahead and feel it. Will feel differently depending on what the bird ate. Roosters do have crops. All birds do.

Thanks for answering all my questions Year of the Rooster and PortageGirl . I have one more. I fed them layena today and I will feed them more tomorrow. My question is: What would the crop feel like with layena in it? I understand if it is a question that can not be answered.

 

[PortageGirl]

they can have a little bit of stuff in there in the AM, but it shouldn't be -full- I had one come out of the coop in the morning with a crop that was way too full, hanging her wings a bit and looking very unhappy. All I did was massage it a little, and she perked up amazingly fast. Catching that early is a very good thing to do.

//edit// pour a little layena into the toe of a sock, hold the fabric a little snug and massage it. There ya go!

I'm not really kidding. Chickens don't have saliva, so it wouldn't be soggy, the saliva like stuff is in their first stomach.

 

[Preservation Acres]

2 weeks ago, I lost my favorite hen to an impacted crop. If it stays impacted, it can get infected and cause death.

Keep an eye on here energy level. Also, feel her crop first thing in the morning. If it feels like it has fluid in it, you need to take action. Do a search on this site for impacted crop, and you'll find lots of useful information regarding how you can take care of it before your hen dies.