Not Emergency - repeated crop adjusting behavior (video)

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
The girls will go to bed in about half an hour and have had the opportunity to free range (supervised) a large part of the weekend. My sweet Bridgette (aka Bridgey aka Bridgely aka Bridge) just started doing this. She’s probably done it ten times in the last couple minutes, but is acting perfectly normal otherwise. Her crop feels normal now, but I did not check her this morning. On the weekends, they do tend to forage more than they eat their feed, which is a 22% grower crumble (corn free soy free... they like it). Access to grit and oyster shell (separately) free choice at all times. Same with clean water. Is there anything to do besides check her crop first thing in the morning? Is there any harm in a little coconut oil and crop massage before she sleeps tonight?

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like she is just adjusting her crop. It is probably normal.

 

[micstrachan]

You know what, I think she’s fine. Had a little panic attack since I’ve not seen any of my girls do that repeatedly before. Here she is just a couple minutes later.

 

[micstrachan]

Seriously. If I ever have a true emergency, you guys might ignore me because I’m so paranoid!

 

[sourland]

Seriously. If I ever have a true emergency, you guys might ignore me because I’m so paranoid!

You' ve heard the story of the little boy who cried 'Wolf'. Seriously, that's what folks are here for - to try and help. By the way, your birds are in excellent condition. What's that green stuff on the ground ?

 

[micstrachan]

I know. We’re so spoiled to have green stuff on the ground! Around the edges, it’s grass that’s getting too long and has to be cut. The rest is pasture I’m trying to grow for them. A chicken forage blend of a couple different rye grasses, clover, alfalfa, flax, and a little field pea and buckwheat. Plus the native weeds. Not sure what most of them are, but I see a lot of chamomile and oxalis (sour grass).
I feel like this thread should be moved to the “Behavior” area or elsewhere. If the mods feel like it should be moved, please do so. Or can I do that myself?

 

[red horse ranch]

Hi everyone,
The girls will go to bed in about half an hour and have had the opportunity to free range (supervised) a large part of the weekend. My sweet Bridgette (aka Bridgey aka Bridgely aka Bridge) just started doing this. She’s probably done it ten times in the last couple minutes, but is acting perfectly normal otherwise. Her crop feels normal now, but I did not check her this morning. On the weekends, they do tend to forage more than they eat their feed, which is a 22% grower crumble (corn free soy free... they like it). Access to grit and oyster shell (separately) free choice at all times. Same with clean water. Is there anything to do besides check her crop first thing in the morning? Is there any harm in a little coconut oil and crop massage before she sleeps tonight?

I've watched this video twice and I think she is just preening herself. She looks perfectly normal to me. And very pretty too!

 

[micstrachan]

Thank you! It was definitely not normal for her for a bit there, because she was just standing in my lap just doing that and not preening. I managed to catch one on video when she hopped off and started preening. But then she stopped and acted totally normal (after doing that clise to 20 times.) I’ll check her crop in the morning just to be safe.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m an idiot. I forgot to mention that she shook her head a few times, too.

 

[Squishychicken]

she's fine trust me