Swollen chest

[sarahconnor]

We have a golden comet hen. She is fast and funny and loves to eat. About ten days ago her chest got a swelling the size of small ball. It looks like it is spreading more across her chest to the right side now. She still does all normal activities. She eats layer pelllets and table scraps. She still runs around and doesn’t seem to be in any pain. She’s our favorite as she is a character.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Do you mean her crop is getting large
Also do you have any pictures

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like she is getting a pendulous crop. Some hens will get those from eating too much food, especially if scraps or treats are fed. I have several large Marans hens who overeat. The main thing is to feel of her crop in the early morning before she has eaten and drunk anything, to see if her crop has emptied over night. If it hasn’t you may want to give her some mineral oil or coconut oil (in some food, such as egg) and massage her crop several times a day. I would stop all of the scraps or any treats, and just have them eat chicken feed. Fat hens can suffer from fatty liver disease. Once they get a pendulous crop from overeating, they can have a crop that will not work well. Crop bras can be made and used to control overeating. Here is an article about crops which includes how to make a crop bra:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have a golden comet hen. She is fast and funny and loves to eat. About ten days ago her chest got a swelling the size of small ball. It looks like it is spreading more across her chest to the right side now. She still does all normal activities. She eats layer pelllets and table scraps. She still runs around and doesn’t seem to be in any pain. She’s our favorite as she is a character.

Can you post some photos of her?

Have you checked her crop at night when she goes to roost, it should be full. Check it again in the morning before she eats/drinks, the crop should be empty.
If the crop is still full in the morning, then you need to treat her for a crop problem. Feel of it so you can determine what you are dealing with - impacted crop, slow or sour crop, etc. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments
Is your girl laying eggs consistently?

Look forward to your photos

 

[sarahconnor]

Do you mean her crop is getting large
Also do you have any pictures

Thanks for the reply! I read the article in the below comment. She looked and felt great this am. I will get a picture later when and if it enlarges! I don't have a picture right this minute. I'll post later as the day goes on.

 

[sarahconnor]

Can you post some photos of her?

Have you checked her crop at night when she goes to roost, it should be full. Check it again in the morning before she eats/drinks, the crop should be empty.
If the crop is still full in the morning, then you need to treat her for a crop problem. Feel of it so you can determine what you are dealing with - impacted crop, slow or sour crop, etc. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments
Is your girl laying eggs consistently?

Look forward to your photos

Thanks for the terrific article!! Her crop felt perfect this am!! So I will see how she does today. No more scraps for now, as the article suggested. A couple of weeks ago it felt like a tennis ball and squishy. Then over the days it appeared to be getting better. Last night her chest looked fuller as she ran by me, so I thought the issue was back. So I think it was just full like you said it should be. I will monitor her more closely today. I will report back. I feel relieved now as I understand the situation better(about how the crop should appear in the am and pm.). I need a good book to read about chickens. We have 20 hens and two boys and we really wing it. They do pretty great and we only lost two this past winter. One from egg bound and the other just sickened and then suddenly died, within two days. I worked hard on those two girls but no luck. I will let you know how Pancake(my daughter's chicken) fares.
Do you feed yours table scraps? Sometimes when it is very cold I cook a big pot of rice and stir in scraps and or baked beans, peas or corn. But between all of them they can't really pig out because they eat that like sharks in a feeding frenzy LOL Is this a bad idea?

I don't know if she is laying regularly as I gather eggs in the evening after work. I get about 6-9 per day right now, it has increased as spring is nearing.
Many Thanks!!!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the terrific article!! Her crop felt perfect this am!! So I will see how she does today.

A couple of weeks ago it felt like a tennis ball and squishy. Then over the days it appeared to be getting better. Last night her chest looked fuller as she ran by me, so I thought the issue was back. So I think it was just full like you said it should be. I will monitor her more closely today. I will report back.

Do you feed yours table scraps? Sometimes when it is very cold I cook a big pot of rice and stir in scraps and or baked beans, peas or corn. But between all of them they can't really pig out because they eat that like sharks in a feeding frenzy LOL Is this a bad idea?

The only way to check the crop accurately would be in the mornings before she eats/drinks. During the day, the crop is going to be at various stages of fullness because chickens eat/drink all day long (and poop too)

Do you provide a balanced poultry feed like layer feed?
I would make sure that 90-95% of their daily intake is poultry feed. Occasionally little rice, cooked beans, peas and corn won't hurt if it's a small portion for each one. Whatever "extras" you give dilutes the protein and nutritional content of their feed.

I would also offer oyster shell free choice and poultry grit (crushed granite) free choice.

 

[sarahconnor]

The only way to check the crop accurately would be in the mornings before she eats/drinks. During the day, the crop is going to be at various stages of fullness because chickens eat/drink all day long (and poop too)

Do you provide a balanced poultry feed like layer feed?
I would make sure that 90-95% of their daily intake is poultry feed. Occasionally little rice, cooked beans, peas and corn won't hurt if it's a small portion for each one. Whatever "extras" you give dilutes the protein and nutritional content of their feed.

I would also offer oyster shell free choice and poultry grit (crushed granite) free choice.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. They get layer feed daily. We mix oyster shell in with it. They free range so don't offer them grit. But I will now. I was giving them extra food during the cold snap thinking it would warm them up. So I won't do that anymore. It comes out to a small portion each but I probably went over board with it for a bit. Good point that the scraps take away from them eating the better food. Thanks for taking the time to help me. Pancake looks and is doing great!! Take care!!

 

[sarahconnor]

It sounds like she is getting a pendulous crop. Some hens will get those from eating too much food, especially if scraps or treats are fed. I have several large Marans hens who overeat. The main thing is to feel of her crop in the early morning before she has eaten and drunk anything, to see if her crop has emptied over night. If it hasn’t you may want to give her some mineral oil or coconut oil (in some food, such as egg) and massage her crop several times a day. I would stop all of the scraps or any treats, and just have them eat chicken feed. Fat hens can suffer from fatty liver disease. Once they get a pendulous crop from overeating, they can have a crop that will not work well. Crop bras can be made and used to control overeating. Here is an article about crops which includes how to make a crop bra:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Thanks so much for the terrific reply, her crop felt perfect in the morning, and it hasn't swelled abnormally anymore. Scraps have stopped for the most part!! Thanks for the good article and your help. Have a great spring!!