What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[wannabe smallholder]

Hi everyone, advice needed please. Last couple of days have noticed a change in Doris' crop. Being new to chickens not got the experience to know what is normal and not. Her crop got quite large and appeared to be slightly droopy, especially on one side. She has continued to eat and drink. Yesterday her crop was still quite large when she got up so gave it a bit of a massage and monitored her. During the day it got larger and felt quite soft. I will admit that I have read almost everything there is on the internet and in my books but still not sure if it is impacted crop or sour crop or even pendulous crop. She has no obvious smell coming from her. I am not brave enough to induce vomiting etc so was geared up for taking her to vet this morning. When I let them out this morning she came out as normal, her crop had reduced right down but she feels so thin underneath. Main changes this week have been no treats and limited free range due to worming with marriages premix flubenvet pellets and she came into lay. She is out acting like a chicken with the rest now. Should I be really worried? Should I take her to vet or is there something I can do to help her? Sorry for long post, just really worried about our favourite girl xxx

[Egluntyne]

No need to worry if her crop is emptying and she is out and about with the others and is eating and drinking.

[wannabe smallholder]

Thank you. I feel such a fool at times getting in a panic but I can't help it! Its almost as bad as having a new baby. thanks again xxx

[merlina]

heh - I had a 'crop panic' when I noticed for the first time just how lopsided they looked when they'd eaten a lot all day!

 

Sometimes they do still look a little bloated in the morning. I've taken to giving them some yoghurt (the sort with probiotics) every 2 or 3 weeks and this seems to help. And there is little as entertaining as watching hens eat yoghurt!