How full should their crops be?

[yakitori]

It’s been a few years since I brooded chicks myself. I’ve noticed that my 2.5 week olds never really get the full crops my first batch of chicks had. Most of the time they feel pretty empty. despite this they’re all super energetic (as chicks should be?).

They have both mash and dry food available to them, I do see them eat, just not as much as I’m used to. My broody’s chicks and my first brooder chicks all loved to eat until they had bulging crops.

Are they just picky eaters? I’m not sure whether I should be worrying or not.

 

[azygous]

Don't worry. You simply have chicks that don't stuff themselves. Most chicks "graze" eating a small amount at a time instead of cramming their crops full. Even if they did, it's not something to worry about.

 

[yakitori]

Don't worry. You simply have chicks that don't stuff themselves. Most chicks "graze" eating a small amount at a time instead of cramming their crops full. Even if they did, it's not something to worry about.

that’s good to know. For some reason all other I’ve only ever encountered chicks that stuff themselves, even my quails, They’d go at food like I’ve been starving them for days. These though… I tried two different types off feed, and they just never seem to eat much.

 

[Tonyroo]

Usually when chicks have access to food all the time they tend to not need to stuff themselves. I see it with my own chicks I'm raising right now. I'm feeding them 22% protein feed.