hen with "squishy" breast

[old biddie50]

Have a hen that I thought was broody and when I reached under her to find any eggs her breast was heavy and "squishy". It hangs down even when she walks. She is not broody (sat for about 2 days) and goes outside often. Seems healthy otherwise. I know of another hen in another flock with the same thing. We have had 95-100 degree heat lately--could that have any bearing on this? They are both black copper morans.

 

[janinepeters]

Is it the right side? I'm thinking it's a just a full crop, or maybe a partially impacted crop. (the crop is on the right side)

 

[Ksane]

There's something called 'pendulous crop' where their crop muscles are stretched (for lack of a better word) and their crop hangs down. Some of them can get huge and swing back and forth. Try to check her crop 1st thing in the morning to see if she's emptied it. It could be the beginnings of an impaction or sour crop.

 

[old biddie50]

It seems to have gone down some but is still there. It also felt to be under the skin more that anything else. It is not on one side or the other. If it is sour crop what is the next thing I do? Could it be a lot of water since it is so hot and maybe she is drinking a lot?

 

[mychickenbertha]

My recently had a squishy crop. I followed the following site instructions http://www.dogislandfarm.com/2012/02/sour-crop-in-chickens.html except i used plain kefir instead of yogurt (it has more live cultures than yogurt). You can get in at a health food store or large supermarket in the "healthy/natrual" area in the fridge. I also massaged her crop lightly after the olive oil. Hope this helps! God be with you! ><>

 

[old biddie50]

Thanks for the info. I have some yogurt on hand so will do with that until I can get to town. I have given them yogurt before and they liked it. It is less than the first time I noticed it but she can still hit it when she walks. It was huge. I also wondered if I could give them too much yogurt?

 

[mychickenbertha]

I would only give the Healthy chickens Yogurt/Kefir once a week.

 

[old biddie50]

Thanks for the info. The size has gone down quite a bit. Must just be her crop. Looked this morning and it was way down. I let them free range in the evenings and by the time she goes in it is noticably larger. Gave them yogurt this morning so will see how it goes. Thanks everyone for the input,