Overeating everyday??????

[karri25]

I asked a whil eback about swollen crops. Everyone was agreed that they were just overeating. Ok.
No wtheir crops are swollen every night. They are all better in the morning but by the end of the day they are swollen again???? They have grit. I make sure that they have feed at all times but I only see them really eating it in the morning. THey like to pick at their grass and my veggies the rest of the day. I only feed treats in the morning. By treats I mean a few slices of bread and some fruit. Is this normal??

 

[silkiechicken]

Having full crops at night is normal, think of it as a storage for them to work through at night. It's what causes the huge pile up of night time poo under their roosts. As long as they are all empty in the morning, all is normal.

 

[karri25]

Ok, thanks. I have been really getting stressed out about this and trying everything I can think of to prevent their imminent death Thi smakes me feel much better!

 

[SandraChick]

chickens don't overeat!

Except meat birds

Sandra

 

[karmical]

How can you tell how full their crops are? I hate to admit it, but I'm not even sure WHERE exactly their crops are!

 

[silkiechicken]

If you feel around on the front part of the chicken, above their keels on the front sides, that is where the crop will hang. Like when you buy whole chicken at the store, the small hole on the top of the chicken on the head side is where the crop hangs down from.

 

[ruth]

Their crop is on the front right breast. When full feels like half a golf ball. Hard if they've been eating dry chicken food, soft if full of water or soft foods. You really don't have to worry about it or "check" it as long as the chickens are eating & drinking and seem well.

 

[karmical]

Psshhhewww....I got home last night and checked them all and their crops were all different sizes (which makes sense I guess since it sounds like it just depends on how much a chicken has happened to have eaten just before you check it). My next question was going to be what's considered "normal" and is it something you have to watch!!! So thanks, Ruth...you read my mind

 

[ruth]

Quote:
Running around and feeling their crops would be like running around and feeling everyone's stomach after Thanksgiving meal. You can really tell who "pigged out" and who didn't.

I'm glad you and Karri25 found some relief in this post. I see so many posts about the "swollen" chests or large bumps and new chicken owners panic striken that there needs to be a Sticky or headline post that stays on forum that says "Chickens have crops (stomachs) where they store their food till it is broken down by the gizzard - these are NOT tumors, growths, etc."

How about it moderators/administrators????