harder crop on 2.5 week old

[MNmommy]

I have never noticed this on any of my 18 new chicks but today I was holding my silkie and her crop is really hard not squishy like usual. She is eating and drinking and pooping so is it normal to have a harder crop once and awhile?. It is kind of off to the side but not huge kind of feels like clay when I press on it. I have read about impacted crop and just want to make she she is ok.

Also she eats a lot but seems kind of skinny, more boney than the rest of my birds are silkies on the dainty boney side compared to other breeds??


Just wondering if i could do something or leave her be.


thanks

 

[emilyweck]

I don't know, but hopefully someone here will help you along.

 

[Renee]

I think it is unusual for chicks to get impacted crops. The best way to test is to feel in in the morning. It should be empty then.

 

[MNmommy]

I was reading and gave her some olive oil and massaged it but now her feathers are full of olive oil and the other chicks are pecking her....could I give her a bath or would that be bad??

 

[Renee]

Don't let the other chicks peck at her. They learn bad habits easily, and they could peck her to death.

I would not bathe her, she is too young. Baby chicks need to stay warm. Wipe her off with a piece of soft, absorbent cloth as best you can and try to cover the scent with a little tiny bit of baby powder.

Good luck.

 

[emilyweck]

Quote:
CLEVER! I learn so much every day. If only chickens were the subject for K-12, I'd be a scholar

(because I'm interested, not because I know about them)

 

[MNmommy]

her crop was empty and back to normal this morning. I hope I massages her ok and didn't cause any problems. She is eating and drinking and the olive is better on her feathers now. The other bird left her alone after the baby powder.

thanks all


I think I over reacted but I am a first time chick momma and I get so worried about them. I gave them grit and crickets last week so i thought maybe she didn't get much grit to get the treats down???

I think i'll wait another week till I give more treats