? odd lumps on my chickens

[thatfiftiesgirl]

Hi folks,
First ever posting (anywhere, not just here, so be gentle on this techno newbie) and loving the website.

I have three 5 week old chickens that came from the kinder hatching program. They seem fine - drinking, eating, pooing, cruising around, but I have noticed they all have a softish lump on one side of the base of their neck, rather like half a ping pong ball poking out. One has a slightly smaller lump than the others. I have only just noticed, I think as they were getting their grown up feathers the lumps were a little hidden by their scruffyness, or the lumps are growing fast. (eek)

I had just started them on pellets rather than crumble so am concerned that was the wrong thing to do. Have read up on sour crop but I would have thought that the lump would be in the middle of their neck/chest rather than distinctly to one side. It also seems odd that all three have it.

The other thing that concerns me was that when I first selected my chicks from the ones at kinder, some of the others had small distinct pea shaped lumps in about the same place. It was more noticable on these chicks that were only a few days old, as the lump stood out pink against their fluff. I didnt pick these chicks for obvious reasons.

Have I tried to avoid some weird disease, or defect only to have it develop later in my chickens or is it sour crop or what??
Any advice welcome.....
thanks

 

[Gracefulspice]

Sounds like their crop. The lump would be on their right side into the chest area. I would continue to give them starter mash if you can. The pellets may be to big for them to swallow. Remove the food at night, and take another look in the morning before you reintroduce the food. The lump will be gone or gotten much smaller. You'll know for sure then it's the crop.

 

[justusnak]

I agree...sounds like a full crop. At 5 weeks, the pellets might just be to big. I would go back to crumbles for a while.
Oh, and Welcome to BYC...

What breed of chicks do you have!? Oh,and..we like pics!

 

[thatfiftiesgirl]

Thanks for your advice - it does appear my chickens have CROPS - gasp! Well I have obviously learned more about the girls, who after an overnight without food no longer had swollen necks. Back to the baby mash for a bit longer.

I really appreciate your input, even if I do feel a little silly in hindsight......thanks again.

PS I think my three chicks are astralorps. (and I think two of them arnt girls sadly)