Panicked tonight at large "growth" on my chick's chest- but I think's it's just her crop?

[jewel1]

I'm new to chickens and have four 5-week old pullets. I'd heard about the crop, but thought it was in the center of the throat area and hadn't seen it before. My runt chick, Roxy, is still missing most of her feathers, so when I saw a huge growth on the right side of her neck tonight, I panicked! I thought she had a tumor or something.

After some quick research and feeling my other chickens' throats, I've decided it's just a full crop before bedtime. I had no idea they got so huge, or were so far to the right side! I'm posting this in case it helps any other newbie like me..

--Julie

 

[NovaAman]

I KNOW! Its so freaky when you first realise it.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Thank you SO MUCH! I noticed two of my pullets had a large "growth" on the right side, googled it, and Voila! you made me feel immediately better! Again, thanks so much!

 

[my sunwolf]

Just make sure that it's empty in the morning or it could be a case of impacted crop!

 

[mickey328]

Would an impacted crop be hard to the touch? I noticed that all 6 of my girls have really big crops but they feel soft...not squishy but not hard like rocks. I have a lipoma (fatty tumor) on my shoulder and the texture is about the same...malleable and firm, but not hard. They've never had this before but I guess I've been giving them too many goodies We topped off the grit and I noticed at least 2 of them gobbling it, which I think is a good thing. We'll cut back on the food for a few days and hope they finally get it all processed.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yep, you have a little piggie with a full crop. As others said, just make sure it has gone down in the morning.

 

[cluck-cluck]

LOL, yah, I'll check them in the morning as well

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Would an impacted crop be hard to the touch? I noticed that all 6 of my girls have really big crops but they feel soft...not squishy but not hard like rocks. I have a lipoma (fatty tumor) on my shoulder and the texture is about the same...malleable and firm, but not hard. They've never had this before but I guess I've been giving them too many goodies We topped off the grit and I noticed at least 2 of them gobbling it, which I think is a good thing. We'll cut back on the food for a few days and hope they finally get it all processed.

Check them first thing in the morning before they have had anything to eat. It should be empty after going all night without food. Crops can get pretty big with normal eating and be fine, its only when it is not going down that you need to be concerned.

 

[mickey328]

Thanks, sun's just starting to come up so we'll open the coop shortly. We'll have a look as soon as we do.

7:35...crops are normal this morning...but they attacked the food with a frenzy, so we may have balloon necks again later on, LOL

 

[Happy Chooks]