Impacted Crop??

[joe17]

Well, I have noticed that my chicks crops are full then empty then are full. How does impacted crop start? HOw do I prevent it?? What does it look like?? Does it occur in chicks?? Just curious!

 

[Kittymomma]

What you're seeing is normal. The crop fills during the day and then the food works thru the crop and into the stomach overnight. When the crop is impacted it does not reduce overnight and that is when you need to be concerned. Some of my girls eat so much during the day that they look deformed by the time they go to roost, but as long as it goes down by morning that is normal too.

 

[canada-goose]

Full and empty and full is very normal and healthy. Start worrying when their crops are always full.

 

[joe17]

I feed them hardboiled eggs and they are a week old. Should i feed grit?? When a chick has impacted crop, does it behave differently?

 

[trilyn]

If you're feeding anything other than chick starter, give them grit! They're gonna need it, heck, I even sprinkle chick grit on their food right off the bat. I feel it helps with pasty butt and it certainly can't hurt.

 

[joe17]

I do feed grit!!! I never know how much to put though.

 

[jason736]

Sprinkle chick grit on your starter crumbles, like you are salting food.

 

[Gonzo]

Yeah, just make sure its chick grit.. or a course sand.. its much cheaper.. plus, they'll take dust baths in it..

 

[fastpat]

The best thing, Joe, is to only feed them chick feed. It's a balanced food and does not require you to try to match the grit volume with the "treat food" volume. The danger with grit is that a chick can load up on it and gain no nutrients. When my chicks get into their adult/adolescent food and require grit, THEN I'll feed them other kinds of food including insects and meal worms.

My chicks are at day ten tomorrow.