Help!!! Large squishy bump on chick!! 4weeks old

[frasereve]

I have freaked out at the size of my girls’ crops from time to time, but just watch it, make sure it’s empty in the morning. What seemed abnormally large to me ended up being normal, and me just being a paranoid new chicken mom.

I truly hope so he is actually part of my 1st ever hatch

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

I believe it may be his crop I just don’t think it should be this large

As long as it is emptying at night, it’s completely normal! I have some chickens who get huge crops and others where it’s average, but they all empty completely at night. Just depends on how much they eat. It may also look way more pronounced right now since the chick isn’t fluffy yet.

 

[Battlepants]

When in doubt, check it before bed and after waking up. Should be full at night and empty the next morning (assuming they are sleeping and not eating overnight).

 

[frasereve]

When in doubt, check it before bed and after waking up. Should be full at night and empty the next morning (assuming they are sleeping and not eating overnight).

Yes everyone gets locked in their corresponding coops and no food or water is in there so I’ll do that!!

 

[Eggcessive]

They do need chick grit and later full size grit to help digest grass, bugs, and food other than chick starter grower. A small bag from the feed store is inexpensive. Some ground has small pebbles that my work as grit.

 

[frasereve]

They do need chick grit and later full size grit to help digest grass, bugs, and food other than chick starter grower. A small bag from the feed store is inexpensive. Some ground has small pebbles that my work as grit.

Well thank you most of what I read on here doesn’t match anything I’ve been told using Facebook groups coming here for advice and help from now on

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

They do need chick grit and later full size grit to help digest grass, bugs, and food other than chick starter grower. A small bag from the feed store is inexpensive. Some ground has small pebbles that my work as grit.

X2 I start giving my chicks grit from a couple days old. I just leave a little container for them and let them get the amount they need!

 

[Ascholten]

Crops can get HUGE, especially if they are little piggies like one I got. Make sure they don't stuff it too badly to the point where it starts getting pendulous, that after a while can cause issues... ie they stretch it out so far it's hanging wayyyy down and may not be able to gravity drain properly.

As long as it's empty in the morning and there's a pile of poop on the floor then you are good. Some like to gorge themselves and really stuff it in.

Depending on what they eat can alter it's.. Ill call it consistency too. It can be squishy it can be firm, it can give a little bit, it can almost bubble if you massage it.

In the wild the grit is there ... they take it as they need it. Put some out for them, if they don't need it, they won't really take it, just like they'd not in the wild. But it's better to have it if they need, than not have it when they DO need.

Aaron

 

[frasereve]

X2 I start giving my chicks grit from a couple days old. I just leave a little container for them and let them get the amount they need!

Everyone I hope will be happy that the bump is gone as of this morning at 9 and I was just being an over protective chicken mom

 

[Battlepants]

Everyone I hope will be happy that the bump is gone as of this morning at 9 and I was just being an over protective chicken mom

Wonderful news!

And yea, keep asking questions like these, it's all part of the learning process. Chickens are built very different than the humans, dogs and cats that we are used to and there's a bit of a learning curve to it all.