Mereks in 2wk old chick?

[michpetea]

Just doing a once over on our two new babies. The silkie hasn't seemed to thrive as well as our other EE chick. As I was checking her neck I found a berry sized fatty lump. I'm worried about Mereks. She came home as a day old chick two weeks ago. We have a small flock of 4 layers. They have separate areas from the grown girls. Any help would be appreciated. This is my young daughters chick.

 

[BB Ranch]

In all chickens there is a crop in the neck. In silkies, it is kind of in an odd place and feels different than other breeds. It took me by surprise. Could this be it.

 

[michpetea]

I hope so. I didn't notice it yesterday. I don't handle them much, just quick checkups.

 

[michpetea]

Okay this morning I got my hubby to check right away. The chicks swollen area had gone down significantly. He massaged the spot (chick loved it) for a few minutes. I later manipulated it and could feel food in it. I just didn't think chicks crops could get that large. They free range every day in our garden with their adopted mom - so I'm not sure if she is just pigging out. She is a silkie/cochlin mix and seems to have a little problem with wry neck. This made her crop look even more afflicted.