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]

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/

 

[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]

I am dealing w a similar crop issue w my 10 week old white leghorn. This is my first go around w chicks and noticed her hard crop last night.
Question...should the crop be completely empty/flat in the morning if no food was given? Her crop still feels hard this morning.
Could i give her the same remedy as the prior post to see if it empties?

also, She doesn’t seem eat as much as my others and doesn’t appear to be growing at the same pace as the other birds. She is tentative when Being fed so I’m worried she’s not getting the proper nutrition. They are still on chick starter, but I started giving them larger grit vs chick grit per the suggestion at TSC.

I’ve tried to feel what the 4 other pullet crops feel like and they don’t seem to be as rounded. I’m not even sure what It should feel like. Any thoughts? Thank you and sorry for hijacking the thread

 

[JDChickChat]

I am dealing w a similar crop issue w my 10 week old white leghorn. This is my first go around w chicks and noticed her hard crop last night.
Question...should the crop be completely empty/flat in the morning if no food was given? Her crop still feels hard this morning.
Could i give her the same remedy as the prior post to see if it empties?

also, She doesn’t seem eat as much as my others and doesn’t appear to be growing at the same pace as the other birds. She is tentative when Being fed so I’m worried she’s not getting the proper nutrition. They are still on chick starter, but I started giving them larger grit vs chick grit per the suggestion at TSC.

I’ve tried to feel what the 4 other pullet crops feel like and they don’t seem to be as rounded. I’m not even sure what It should feel like. Any thoughts? Thank you and sorry for hijacking the thread

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!!

 

[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!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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!!

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!

I am dealing w a similar crop issue w my 10 week old white leghorn. This is my first go around w chicks and noticed her hard crop last night.
Question...should the crop be completely empty/flat in the morning if no food was given? Her crop still feels hard this morning.
Could i give her the same remedy as the prior post to see if it empties?

also, She doesn’t seem eat as much as my others and doesn’t appear to be growing at the same pace as the other birds. She is tentative when Being fed so I’m worried she’s not getting the proper nutrition. They are still on chick starter, but I started giving them larger grit vs chick grit per the suggestion at TSC.

I’ve tried to feel what the 4 other pullet crops feel like and they don’t seem to be as rounded. I’m not even sure what It should feel like. Any thoughts? Thank you and sorry for hijacking the thread

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/

 

[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.

 

[Frankiegirl]

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.

Great and thank you for the input. Do you think it might have been caused by transitioning from chick grit to the larger grit?