Possible impacted crop?

[JDChickChat]

Tonight when my 7 week old chicks went to roost, I noticed my one Dominique Hazel's crop was about the size of a golf ball and fairly hard to the touch. I was able to massage it and it broke up a bit. I've taken the food away and left their water in their coop.

I will check her first thing in the morning, but if the crop is not cleared, how much coconut oil or castor oil should I give her to try and help it pass?? I also have avocado oil, just not sure of the dose.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I always wondered what happened to those Little Rock’s they eat! TY for all of the great info everyone

LOL You may actually find some in their poop at times - very tiny and smooth like they have been polished.
hmmm....maybe I look at too much poop

 

[JDChickChat]

Was her crop empty - what did you find out?

The crop really should be full when they go to roost, but it's a very good idea to check that way you know they are going to roost with their crop filled.

If the crop was not empty when you checked it in the morning, you can give up to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil twice a day. For a 7 week old, I would start out with 1/4-1/2 teaspoon.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Thank you so much!!!

Her crop was empty this morning! I think she just stuffed herself to the gills yesterday and I just happened to notice it, haha. But thank you, now I know what to do if in the future this does occur!!

 

[Frankiegirl]

Please dont apologize!!! I'm so sorry you're little isn't feeling well!!

This is my first go with a flock as well. As far as I know, if you have removed all sources of food, the crop should essentially be empty in the morning (sans a bit of gushiness from maybe drinking some water as I didnt remove water source) but it should not be bulging or hard.

I would recommend isolating your chick tonight or maybe even today. Monitor food and water intake and poop all day....remove food and water at night and check crop again in the morning. If it is not empty, maybe give some chilled coconut pie as Wyorp suggested.


Good luck and sending lots of love and prayers your way!!

Thanks and same to you! I’ve come to really adore these little ones as I’m sure you have as well. cheers!

 

[Frankiegirl]

Glad she's fine! Oh boy, some of them can go to roost with a very full crop. It's good that you are noticing and checking!

Hi @Mfranks
Check her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks - it should be flat. If it's not then let us know.

You mention that she doesn't seem to eat as much as the other and is tentative about being fed - sometimes you may need to provide more than one feed station. Sometimes the more dominant birds can keep the others away from food. How much space do you have in your coop/run?

Is she your only Leghorn? Photos?


https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Glad she's fine! Oh boy, some of them can go to roost with a very full crop. It's good that you are noticing and checking!

Hi @Mfranks
Check her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks - it should be flat. If it's not then let us know.

You mention that she doesn't seem to eat as much as the other and is tentative about being fed - sometimes you may need to provide more than one feed station. Sometimes the more dominant birds can keep the others away from food. How much space do you have in your coop/run?

Is she your only Leghorn? Photos?


https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Hi there -
I checked her crop this morning and it still felt like a “lump” was in there. Hard like a rock not swishy. I gave her a few treats and she is still motivated by them like the others, but isn’t as aggressive as the others to get them. I felt a couple of the other birds crops and her crop definitely is different.

Their run is a small since i had ordered a coop was suppose to be here over 3 weeks ago...it was a scam so I had to scramble and their coop is coming this weekend. Their run space right now is 4x6 (embarrasses to admit i messed up getting the coop here on time.) The run will be 6x12 and coop will be 4x6. They are honestly cramped right now and are staying the evenings in my garage.

She is my only white leghorn. I also have a “pearl star” leghorn, Americana, Plymouth blue rock, and olive Egger. I realize they are all different and she may simply be a bit more delicate so I’m. It sure I’m overreacting.

Here are a couple of pics. Thanks!!!

 

[JDChickChat]

Hmm, I dont know. I would still separate her for the day and give her some chilled/frozen coconut oil to help her pass whatevers in the crop.

It definitely should be empty in the morning, and you dont want to let it get any worse.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi there -
I checked her crop this morning and it still felt like a “lump” was in there. Hard like a rock not swishy. I gave her a few treats and she is still motivated by them like the others, but isn’t as aggressive as the others to get them. I felt a couple of the other birds crops and her crop definitely is different.

She is my only white leghorn. I also have a “pearl star” leghorn, Americana, Plymouth blue rock, and olive Egger. I realize they are all different and she may simply be a bit more delicate so I’m. It sure I’m overreacting.

The lump that's in there - can you manipulate it at all?
I would re-check her crop in the mornings for several days. If you feel she may benefit from little coconut oil, it won't hurt her.

I think she's just Lovely! Definitely looks like a White Leghorn to me! She will be more "dainty" than the others - White Leghorns are a "Mediterranean" breed compared to the Dual Purpose Large Fowl the others are. I had one and she was a great layer - I would start making oyster shell available free choice when she's around 16 weeks. Mine started laying eggs at 19wks and boy did she lay eggs! She was an eater too - all those eggs require energy, so don't be surprised at how full her crop gets at night - you just want to monitor that it's empty by morning. I would leave her on chick starter with the others at least until they all come into lay. The Large Fowl, may not start for a good while longer.

I hope your coop/run gets fixed soon, what a bummer it was a scam. I will tell you, at least my Leghorn sort of walked to the beat of her own drum. While none of the girls really bothered her, she was way more active (busy!) and yes, cautious when it came to food - not really bullied, but LF can be feed station hoarders. So...when you get more room, I suggest adding another feed station.

Just recently I noticed about those Peal Star Leghorns - interesting cross. You may want to check out this thread - I learned a few things and the OP posted some photos of the eggs they got on the last page or so...nice eggs too! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pearl-star-leghorns.1349837/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully things will settle down after a few days. It's not uncommon for one to get picked on when separated out.

I would still monitor her crop regularly and take note if she acts like she's not feeling well so you can address that.

Thank you for the update.

 

[Sarah12987]

That is quite alright!!! Hijack away!

LOL, sorry about that! I'm glad you're is doing well too. I think maybe mine stuffed herself as well. She started at the bottom of the pecking order and she's moving her way up. Maybe she's eating more than her share now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Tonight when my 7 week old chicks went to roost, I noticed my one Dominique Hazel's crop was about the size of a golf ball and fairly hard to the touch. I was able to massage it and it broke up a bit. I've taken the food away and left their water in their coop.

I will check her first thing in the morning, but if the crop is not cleared, how much coconut oil or castor oil should I give her to try and help it pass?? I also have avocado oil, just not sure of the dose.

Was her crop empty - what did you find out?

The crop really should be full when they go to roost, but it's a very good idea to check that way you know they are going to roost with their crop filled.

If the crop was not empty when you checked it in the morning, you can give up to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil twice a day. For a 7 week old, I would start out with 1/4-1/2 teaspoon.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/