The right side of their breast is larger!?

[lablover]

So I kinda freaked when I realized that several of my 8 week old chicks looked lopsided and over-developed on the right side of their breast. Is that normal? Is that where the crop is? Do they need more grit?

 

[Cheeky Chick]

It's their crop! It should empty and fill. Before sleep they usually fill up to carry them over. Don't squeeze it!


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[lablover]

I don't think I squeezed it! The right side always seems to be bigger though... During the day, they don't eat as much of their crumbles as they are outside and eat grass and bugs while they run around like crazy. Would it help if they had access to actual sand as opposed to whatever they find in the dirt?

 

[RonC]

They can often find small pebbles in dirt. They love to dust bathe in sand so adding some to their enviroment wouldn't hurt. Chick grit is cheap and will last a long time depending on how many you have. I bought 10 lbs(price break) when my six were about 2-3 weeks old. They are now about 12 weeks and I still have over half of what I purchased. Their crop can look quiet large after they eat, it's normal.