Small seemingly hard crop... impacted crop?

[akhadley]

My 12-13 week old EE does not seem to be gaining weight as much as her fellow RIR friend. I thought maybe EE are just a smaller/lighter breed? Is that the case?

But I've noticed that her crop seems small, sort of hard, and when I rub it it is almost as if it is "crunchy" inside the crop. Even when she eats it does not seem to really get bigger. I checked it in the evening a few days in a row and it didn't seem to change and this morning it seems the same still... her behavior seems fine and she does appear to be eating. Is this an impacted crop? What should I do if it is? Or is there a way to tell if it is?

Help please.

 

[sourland]

EE are generally somewhat smaller than RIR and would normally grow somewhat more slowly. Healthy eaters will always have a full crop. As long as she is acting normally, I personally would not be worried. You might try taking all feed away in the evening and then checking her crop in the AM.