craw is hard and lumpy, what's wrong

[WVDan44]

The bird I harvested earlier tonight had a very lumpy and hard craw. It was impacted with food, and it may have been obstructing its windpipe. Who has seen anything like this? Did it overeat? It was 5 weeks 3 days old and dressed out at 3.442 lbs without skin or giblets. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ScottyHOMEy]

I'm not a veterinarian, but I think your idea about the impacted crop obstructing the windpipe is looking in the right direction. the off-color, bluish comb would be an indication of not enough oxygen in the blood.

You can google around for other causes, but one of the things that will impact a crop is the system downline being blocked. There are other things that could cause that, but one, especially in a young bird, is her having got into something coarse to eat without having enough grit in her gizzard to break it up.

You don't say what breed/type of bird. If CornishX, 5 weeks is still awfully young for the pulmonary problems inherent in the breed to manifest. I'd be looking for something else.

Google it. Consider what other responses you get here, chalk it up as a learning experience, and go on with taking care of the rest of your birds.

Here's one link

http://www.greenmuze.com/blogs/green-muzings/2208-chicken-impacted-crop-or-sour-crop.html

 

[WVDan44]

Yes it is a Cornish Cross Cockerel. As I said, they spent the day outdoors in a large lawn-like enclosure. I'll watch the others carefully for any signs of similar troubles. Thanks for the very good advice.