Is it normal for a chicken to throw up?

[vee333]

So i picked up one of my hens to pat her and then i let her down and she throw up a white opaque liquid. she is acting completely normal. i heard that this is normal when they drink to much water to fast. but ive had chickens for like 4 years now and never seen it happen until now. so i am a bit worried but should i be worried? thanks for any replies!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The only time I saw that was when a bird did just drink and I handled them or when they were having crop problems. Did you feel the crop to see if it felt doughy or inflated?

 

[vee333]

it didn't feel doughy or inflated it felt kinda hard.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally it should feel like there's feed in there. If it's acting fine otherwise and eating and drinking I would just keep an eye on it.

@Wyorp Rock is a hard feeling crop okay?

 

[vee333]

I went out and felt her crop again. i can feel the feed in it and it feels firm but very far from rock solid. does that sound normal?

 

[Trimurtisan]

I picked up a duckling about a week ago that had a full crop. When I did, he flopped around a bit so I gripped him thinking he was going to fall. He then threw up what looked like thick water. After some research, I came to the conclusion that I squeezed his crop, ejecting the liquid by force.

I've also witnessed ducklings trip and have the same result landing on their chest.

Any chance that's all that happened?

 

[vee333]

it's possible that's what happened.

 

[Eggcessive]

Accidentally squeezing the crop when picking them up can make them spit up contents. I would check the crop early in the mirning before the chicken eats or drinks, and it should normally be mostly empty.