Need some advice

[Kiwikris]

Hi.. im new to chickens and we have decided to raise some young ones a family.. we got this one yesturda and have noticed 2 things that dont look normal... can any one help? There seems to be a large lump.. tumour like on its neck and an enlarged bottom

 

[chuckachucka]

The lump under the neck could just be the crop, not sure from the picture. You should gently clean his bottom and make sure the vent doesnt get crusted over with poop (known as pasty butt). The area can get very sore and a bit swollen from straining to poop or from diarrhea. Is his poop normal?

 

[Kiwikris]

The poop does seem normal.. i hope this pic of the lump is better the size seems to be around the 20cent mark

 

[chuckachucka]

It still looks like most likely the crop, but if the lump doesn't go down even overnight it could be impacted. If you are feeding anything other than chick food they will need grit to help digestion. Does the lump feel hard or slightly soft or completely squishy?

 

[rebrascora]

Birds have a pouch on the right side of their neck/chest area where they store food that they eat through the day and they slowly digest it overnight. When they are young they need to eat lots to grow and the crop is often very full and seems out of proportion to the side of the chick. They also do not have much in the way of feathers to obscure it, so it is more noticeable for both reasons. I'm guessing that is what you are seeing at the front end. That back end does not look overly healthy! A soak in a teacup of warm Epsom salts solution and some gentle rubbing to clean it up are in order and the application of some antiseptic cream or antibiotic ointment if you have some would be good. If the chick is straining to poop it may be bunged up with pasty butt which would explain the swollen abdomen. Usually they will cheep loudly when they are trying to poop if this is the problem. Regular warm baths and gently cleaning out the vent (butt hole) with a cotton bud soaked in olive oil to soften and lubricate to unclog the chalky white urates that form just inside the vent and stick like glue, plugging them up. Pasty but is usually as a result of dehydration and can be because the brooder is too warm. It is also a good idea to soak their chick crumbs with water to a porridge consistency to help improve hydration.
It may also be that it's crop is more distended because there is a blockage in the lower gut causing the digestive tract to get backed up.

If pasty butt is not the problem then it may be an infection of the umbilicus which looks like a distinct possibility due to the dark colouration. The odds are not good in that case and antibiotics would probably be required to give it a hope. I am not experienced in dealing with that scenario but you might want to research omphalitis in chicks. Hopefully someone else will chip in with info on that..... or hopefully tell you I am totally wrong about it possibly being that.

 

[Kiwikris]

It still looks like most likely the crop, but if the lump doesn't go down even overnight it could be impacted. If you are feeding anything other than chick food they will need grit to help digestion. Does the lump feel hard or slightly soft or completely squishy?

The lump feels soft and a bit squishy

 

[Kiwikris]

Thank you all for your replies so far. Its greatly appreciated.. so i guess my other question in.. if its in deed a full crop.. how much food does a young chick need? Do i leave food in all day/night ?

 

[Saaniya]

Hi.. im new to chickens and we have decided to raise some young ones a family.. we got this one yesturda and have noticed 2 things that dont look normal... can any one help? There seems to be a large lump.. tumour like on its neck and an enlarged bottom

Newly fella always thinks that a tumor lol that's dear their food pouch called crop


This crop will be full during the or squishy as they eat ND drink alot especially chicks

And this crop will be falt (nothing will be there) in the morning

Check first in the morning to ensure there's everything fine



Use baby nappy cleaners for cleaning the poop give him some sugar mix in water for relif in their travel stress

 

[Kiwikris]

Newly fella always thinks that a tumor lol that's dear their food pouch called crop

Your not wrong there..

 

[Saaniya]

Your not wrong there..

Check first in the morning it should be flat barely feels ..