Puffy/Inflated chest/breast/belly

[Marsticket]

Hello there! People of the chicken world...

I have a rather odd question for you. I have a 4 week old Sussex chick who is acting completely normal, eating, drinking, pooping, etc... However, last night I was having my nightly 'cuddle' and noticed a rather squishy large coverage of the chest/breast/belly area and under her wings... I am rather new to ailments/problems/ dealing with issues and am wondering whether somebody might be able to offer some advice for me please?

As mentioned, she is acting normally, but just very squishy. The way I can describe this is balloon-like, like you are poking a boob, I can see veins through the skin area that is inflated.

Would this be a normal growth stage of a sussex with their large size?

Sorry I do not have a photo with me at the moment.

*Please note: I am currently in contact with our vet who is trying to fit us in, but thought I would ask the opinion of you fellow chicken lovers.

EDIT: I do not think it is the crop, it covers a large amount of the chick in places I wouldn't think would be classed as crop...

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sounds like possibly the crop, picture would help but hopefully the Vet will fit you in.

 

[Marsticket]

Sounds like possibly the crop, picture would help but hopefully the Vet will fit you in.

Will do my best to capture a photo this evening and post it up

 

[DaviJones]

I think that you're talking about the crop, I remember my now 8 week old had a large crop when they were young(like four weeks). It's probably just because they were growing so they had a great appetite and ate a lot(the crop stores food so the more they eat the fuller it is) I wouldn't worry as long as the crop isn't hard(crop impaction) or their mouth smells bad when you open their beak(sour crop) and pooping is regular (sign if either or even something worse). But that's my two cents

Oh and crop massages! Chickies love em! My EE would fall asleep, adorable and it keeps everything moving (lightly rub/stroke down along the crop) Grit(store bought or just small rocks from outside) is also another good preventive.

 

[rjohns39]

Check it in the morning before she eats, it should be pretty flat and empty if its the crop.

 

[Marsticket]

I think that you're talking about the crop, I remember my now 8 week old had a large crop when they were young(like four weeks). It's probably just because they were growing so they had a great appetite and ate a lot(the crop stores food so the more they eat the fuller it is) I wouldn't worry as long as the crop isn't hard(crop impaction) or their mouth smells bad when you open their beak(sour crop) and pooping is regular (sign if either or even something worse). But that's my two cents

Oh and crop massages! Chickies love em! My EE would fall asleep, adorable and it keeps everything moving (lightly rub/stroke down along the crop) Grit(store bought or just small rocks from outside) is also another good preventive.

Hey DaviJones! Super informative thank you! After doing a bit of searching around I am concerned we might have a ruptured air sac, she was a little louder with breathing last night, however I will give her some massages and some grit (I wasn't sure whether youngsters of her age were able to have as yet but good to know)
This morning she was still 'inflated' and squishy but will keep an eye on her pooping over the weekend.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It does sound like ruptured air sac. Crop isn't squishy under the wing.

@Wyorp Rock I believe has dealt with treating ruptured air sacs.

LofMc

 

[DaviJones]

Oops my bad! I didn't see the under wing part, I just assumed because I was always worried mine were having crop issues when they were 1-5 weeks (They were just full, I worry too much) I'm sorry to hear that though, I hope it's not too difficult to treat. I've never heard of ruptured air sac, but that sounds like the treatment might be something serious, like surgery. I'm so sorry for him or her, poor babyI hope it can be remedied.

Edit: I can't believe it, I didn't read the title and it says it right there, I'm so sorry I've been a bit preoccupied with wrapping up the semester

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, good. I’m glad you thought of ruptured air sack, which I was going to suggest. As was already mentioned, recheck in the morning. A crop would be empty, provided she’s only had chick feed?

 

[XanderWiFi]

Ruptured air sacs is my game! Had one damaged after a hawk attack, poor guy started feeling real puffy. This is subcutaneous emphysema and you can find youtube videos on how to alleviate it.

You are going to need a short small bore needle, hold that little critter down to keep them safe, target the most inflated area or attempt to milk the air into one area, inject ONLY TO PIERCE THE SKIN (this is not an injection), then withdraw air into the syringe and repeat. If you have a large enough needle you may be able to squeeze the air out of your original hole.

Bear in mind you may have to do this repeatedly. I do not mean to alarm you, but subcutaneous emphysema can put excess pressure on organs and the windpipe so best resolve as soon as possible.