hopingforchickens Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 This evening my friend and I gave the chickens a good going over (I have some pecking issues) they have all been thoroughly dusted and checked over and bumper bits fitted to all. I feel really bad about it, but hope it's for the best for them all in the long run. My question is Henrietta, my Speckledy had what I assume was a very full crop, but it was REALLY pronounced and sat slightly off to one side - is this normal. We had a good feel and it wasn't causing her discomfort but it was huge, we could see it from across the garden. Has she just been greedy (she is the top hen) or is this something to worry about or monitor. I've never noticed this before, but then I don't handle them much just before bed. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crankycookie Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 That seems pretty normal at the end of the day. They do sit off to one side and are full of food by evening. In the morning, they should shrink in size as the food passes through the digestive system. Check again in the morning if you are worried, if it is still swollen before she comes out to eat in the morning it may be a sign of sour crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 Thanks that I was worried about. I will check in the morning and see how she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 My bluebell's crop is like this at the end of the day - looks like she swallowed a tennis ball It's always to one side as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 That's good to know, at least I won't have another disturbed night's sleep worrying about the little darlings (if I wasn't lying awake last night I was having nightmares about how to dispatch a mauled chicken that was still alive but had no head or neck ). I still can't believe how huge it was though - I clearly don't pay enough attention to them, I've had them nearly a year now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markAndCharlene Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 If you are a bit concerned that there may be a possible blockage (we have had trouble with overzealous munching on grass clippings), we found the the best thing to do was give the girls some live maggots. Apparently they eat through the food in the crop and can help to dislodge it. And the girls love the live food anyway - cant do any harm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
