Help! Chicken acting normal but Crop is HUGE!

[twinmom+1VT]

My almost 1yr old Barred Rock hen seems to have developed a huge crop over the last few days. I was gone for a couple days and it seems to have happened while I was away. My husband was looking after the birds but he says he didn't notice it so I'm not quite sure how long it's been this way. My hens free range and have been enjoying the spring air, scratching around all over the place. She's acting normal, scratching, running with the other hens, picking through the leaves and manure in the pastures. Her crop is very big though, about the size of a large lemon. It feels very soft and somewhat gritty. I can easily manipulate it (which she didn't seem to like). It is not hard or rigid nor is she acting depressed or lethargic.

What should I do? Should I separate her out if she's acting okay and just keep an eye on it? Or should I isolate her and withhold food until it goes down again? I hate to isolate her since she just loves to be ranging outside and she seems happy. Is this common with Barred Rocks?

Thank you!

 

[twinmom+1VT]

Update:

This morning I checked on her and her crop seemed normal but was again slightly distended (not as bad as yesterday) by the end of the day. Could this be resulting since she's actually finding a lot of things to eat now that the snow has melted? They were out all winter but were naturally just eating layer mash, scratch and the occasional "treat". Now they're finding worms, grubs, grass and all sorts of things foraging. I guess I'll just keep an eye on her and as long as it goes back to normal by morning assume she's fine.

 

[StephanieD]

That sounds like a good plan. It's hard not to worry about our pets, but sometimes it's a wait and see kind of thing. If she is acting normal then she must be ok, for now at least! Good luck

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Sounds like she got over-zealous when the spring buffet was opened and gorged herself. From what I've read, if it returns to normal by morning it's normal.