Is my chicken's crop okay?

[Sqwidy]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a first-time chicken owner. My chicks are about 5-6 weeks old now. And my black copper maran has what looks like a lopsided crop. The right side is much larger and firm to the touch. Very firm. Has been for a couple days. It's not sensitive though. And... I call her Athena... Athena hasn't been acting sick or upset at all. If I pet and gently poke at her crop, she doesn't mind. If I pick her up and play with her and such, same as usual. She doesn't mind at all, and then scampers off with the other chickens. There's no bad smell that I can notice.

Potentially other useful info: They go outside with me but still aren't out all the time. So they have access to grass and bugs. They're on only chick feed, water, and chick grit other than what they dig up and chase each other around for outside. When inside, they are in pine bedding.

Do you think it looks okay? Do you think she's sick? .....Maybe she's just a not a she?

Thanks for your help!

Ashley

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

This isn't really a "lopsided" crop - the crop sits on the right side which can give the chest an overall lopsided appearance. Have you checked the crop first thing in the morning? This is when one would expect the crop to have emptied (overnight) and gone down in size and feel. If the crop still looks and feels just as full as it did that evening when the bird went to roost, that is when to be concerned. Chicks can be real little pigs about food and can fill themselves up to the look of your bird repeatedly throughout the day so that every time you see them it looks the same.

 

[Sqwidy]

This isn't really a "lopsided" crop - the crop sits on the right side which can give the chest an overall lopsided appearance. Have you checked the crop first thing in the morning? This is when one would expect the crop to have emptied (overnight) and gone down in size and feel. If the crop still looks and feels just as full as it did that evening when the bird went to roost, that is when to be concerned. Chicks can be real little pigs about food and can fill themselves up to the look of your bird repeatedly throughout the day so that every time you see them it looks the same.

Thanks!! This is super helpful Is about 8 early enough to see it go down...or more like 5 or 6? It's been full like that for the past couple days at 8 or so, when we usually get up.

 

[newmarch2014]

If they are outside birds mine are up at the crack of dawn and eating immediately at 12 weeks old.

 

[Sqwidy]

If they are outside birds mine are up at the crack of dawn and eating immediately at 12 weeks old.

Ah, okay cool. Cause yeah, she's been swollen like that the past couple "mornings" I've checked. But maybe I need to check a little earlier. I'll set an alarm for 5ish to peak in on her. If it is still swollen, what's the best course of action? Would it be, go to the vet level concern? Maybe just keep her away from the feed for a bit?

Thanks again for y'alls help! It's totally possible I'm being an over-bearing newbie chicken owner But ya know...

 

[KurtG]

I would isolate it and check the crop next morning. It does not look normal and could be impacted from the grass.

 

[Sqwidy]

I would isolate it and check the crop next morning. It does not look normal and could be impacted from the grass.

Okay, cool. I can pull her a part from the others for now. If the crop is impacted, what do you think the best thing to do is?