Ok, So Now I'm Worried!!

[debster1556]

We switched from straw to pine shavings yesterday for our 9 day old chicks. One of them had a foot problem so pine shavings were recommended.

Today, I'm picking them up to check feet etc. and 2 of the 3 have very noticeably enlarged crops. Maybe not enlarged, (not sure what one is supposed to look like on a chick).

They have been eating chick starter, nothing else. We're afraid that they've been eating their pine shavings. 1 of their crops is very hard, the 2nd second has a swollen but kind of mushy crop and the little one with the tootsie problems feels like there's not much in there.

Maybe I panicked but I asked my husband to switch back to straw and we added just a tiny bit of grit to their food.

Is this normal and if it is shavings, will it pass now that we've removed it?

Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

They should know what their food looks like by now. I would have left the pine shavings down, and put paper towel over it for a few days. Check the crop in the morning to make sure it is softer. If not, give the chick water, and massage the crop several times a day. A crop impaction in a chick that young is dangerous, and may need to see a vet for crop surgery.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html