Four week old chick with prominent crop?

[Gypsy07]

I'm looking for advice please!

I have four four week old chicks (probably Marans but not sure) and they've been thriving superbly. I realised last night that one of them has a very prominent crop. I'm not sure how long it's been like that, and I think I just noticed it because that chick has recently feathered up in that area, and the feathers are sticking out there. Today it's looking healthy and acting normal. It still looks like its crop is a bit on the full side though. I've given them all a good crop inspection for comparison, and I just can't tell if it's actually a problem or not. The thing is, they NEVER stop eating. They are stuffing themselves constantly all day long and half the night too and I can't fill up their feeder often enough. Fat little pies! They never stop eating long enough for their crops to feel properly empty. So how do I tell if this one has a problem or if it just happens to be twice as greedy as the other three? I'm not sure if I'm worrying about nothing...

Oh, they're on non medicated chick crumbs with the odd sprinkling of dried mealworms and a vitamin supplement in their water. I'm not feeding them anything else.

 

[teach1rusl]

Probably nothing...just being little piggies like you said, especially if they're eating, drinking, and running around with enthusiasm. Check the little bird in question first thing in the morning before they've had a chance to eat (you could put the food up for the night if they're sneak snackers) when the crop should be pretty much empty, and hopefully it'll look "normal." If it's still big/full looking, get back with us... But I'm sure that's what it is...

 

[Happy Chooks]

Are you feeding them anything besides chick starter?

Take a look at it first thing in the morning, if it's crop is down then everythings fine. If it stays big all the time, even first thing in the morning (or smells sour) then you have a problem.

 

[Gypsy07]

They're just on chick crumbs and the odd dried mealworm treat like I said. I wasn't sure what else they could/should be getting so haven't been giving them other stuff in case it wouldn't be good for them. I think I'll remove their food overnight and check their crops in the morning just to check nobody's got a problem. Though like I said I think maybe it's just their greediness combined with my inexperience that's causing my concern. LOL! The little fatties...

 

[felidaet]

Since you are feeding them meal worms you also need chick grit available for them. I put it in a separate container and had it available free choice all the time.