Impacted crop in one and now several others

[Lyranonamous]

Hi all, One of our 3 yo Specked Sussex, Grace, had a large impacted crop Monday (4/5/23) AM so I took her to the vet. since it was probably like this for a few days. Some grass was suctioned out but the tube kept getting clogged with grass-so very little removed. She was given subcut fluids Monday and returned yesterday for more suctioning, some lavage (?) and we went home with meds. (probiotics, antibiotics and antifungal) I do not smell anything on her breath at all., but the mass felt doughy. She has pooped a few times and this AM there was a lot of watery poop under her roosting area.
Today the crop looks smaller and she is inside with a buddy getting a watery mash of pellets, kefir and plenty of water, but....I noticed 3 other girls whose crops were bigger than they should be this AM. They are all acting normal-as is Grace-but is it normal for this to happen in the spring? We just started letting them out in the bigger run a few days back and there is different forage and the grass is a little longer out there. It seems odd there would be 4 of 8 chickens with big crops.
Also are the crop bras helpful? Anyone had success with one?
Thanks in advance for any insight-you guys are the best.

 

[coach723]

They may have gorged on the grass. It's a good idea to keep the grass cut shorter in the area's they forage in. Do they have access to grit? Long fiberous grass is notorious for causing impacted crops, it's just really hard for them to pass. Spring grass tends to be higher in sugar also, so may just be tastier to them right now. Sometimes, if the crop won't clear, then crop surgery is the only way to get it out.