Ok..who can tell me about the chest of a chick.

[silkiebeginer]

All my chicks look like their chests are a lot larger on one side? Is this normal. I hope so, because if its not, they all have the problem. All 19,lol. I have not really payed attention to the ones in with the mama hen. But i hadn't really noticed this until today. By the way, they are getting their feathers in, and bumping chests with each other and flying or jumping at each other some. Do all chicks do this or would this be a clue to who is a roo?

Thanks, Jennifer

 

[ChrystalGail]

I raised 17 chicks this year and believe me, all the chicks do the chest bumping, even my pullets. I guess they are trying to establish a pecking order. I had hoped it was a way to determine gender, but no. You just have to wait it out... IMO I think the chest buldge is just their crop. Mine often have uneven crops if they eat a lot. But, I'm no expert.

 

[silkiebeginer]

Maybe thats what it was. I had just give them a big helping of feed to last their little bellies until morning. They are starved when i feed them in the mornings. i even thought about changing them now from the fine starter to the crumbled. They are 8 days old and growing great.

Thanks, Jennifer

 

[silkiechicken]

You only need to worry about a big crop if it stays big after they haven't eaten over night. Else, all 19 are good!

 

[hinkjc]

Jennifer, you mentioned that they are starving in the morning. You do know that chicks should have free choice food at all times? You really don't want them to run out. The bulge you are seeing on the chest is indeed the crops and a normal look when they eat alot.

Jody

 

[silkiebeginer]

I have been bringing them in at dark, so they will be safe and warm. I put food in there with them a few times and they didn't touch it. So I just started feeding them right before I brought them in and then i take them outside around daylight and feed them. Then they have food in with them all day. They actually sleep really good at night. They are staying in my daughters room. They go to bed when she does and don't hear a peep till either daylight or if the light gets turned on.

Jennifer

 

[DoctorGoose]

Yup, that's their crop sticking out. I got freaked too when I saw my silkies as 5-day olds with their crops sticking out, but they were soft. I like to wet their food, it seems as if it helps with digestion and palatability. Mine would just eat their little hearts out, fall asleep, and do it again.

And chest bumping, all of my psychotic chickens do it. Even to the roo.