Crop issue or something else?

[Kerioki]

Hello
I have a 3 month old hen that looks like she keeps adjusting her crop. It started last night. At first I thought it was an impaction and massaged it which seemed to have helped. It felt a little hard. But she's still doing it today and now I have a young rooster doing the same thing. Could they both have crop issues or is there something else that causes chickens to do that snaking motion with their bodies that mimics crop adjusting? I'm panicking a bit because I just lost a young chicken two days ago from a sudden illness but it didn't exhibit this behaviour so I'm hoping it's unrelated. They're both eating and drinking fine and it's mostly notable when they lay down for a rest. It just looks so uncomfortable and I want to help them if i can

 

[Eggcessive]

Do they have poultry granite grit to help their gizzard grind up feed? What are you feeding them? It is normal for a chicken to adjust their crop occasionally. But it they are doing it a lot, they may have something stuck. Did the crop feel empty early this morning or was it still full and firm? Chilled coconut oil can be chopped into small pieces and offered to the chicken to peck at, and 1-2 tsp is offered. Mineral or olive oil can also be used, but I would give them in a little scrambled egg or food. Then if the crop is firm, massage it several times a day. Crops are usually full in the afternoon and evening, and empty by early morning after not eating or drinking overnight. Here is a good article about crops:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Kerioki]

Do they have poultry granite grit to help their gizzard grind up feed? What are you feeding them? It is normal for a chicken to adjust their crop occasionally. But it they are doing it a lot, they may have something stuck. Did the crop feel empty early this morning or was it still full and firm? Chilled coconut oil can be chopped into small pieces and offered to the chicken to peck at, and 1-2 tsp is offered. Mineral or olive oil can also be used, but I would give them in a little scrambled egg or food. Then if the crop is firm, massage it several times a day. Crops are usually full in the afternoon and evening, and empty by early morning after not eating or drinking overnight. Here is a good article about crops:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

The hens crop felt empty but then she started doing the motion again. The rooster started shortly after. I feed them regular grower/developer pellets without grit. They also free range. They don't look to be in distress, just really uncomfortable. I will try giving them the scrambled eggs now as they're currently actively pecking around and I will massage their crops again later to see if I can help the process.

Thanks for the article!

 

[Kiki]

Hello
I have a 3 month old hen that looks like she keeps adjusting her crop. It started last night. At first I thought it was an impaction and massaged it which seemed to have helped. It felt a little hard. But she's still doing it today and now I have a young rooster doing the same thing. Could they both have crop issues or is there something else that causes chickens to do that snaking motion with their bodies that mimics crop adjusting? I'm panicking a bit because I just lost a young chicken two days ago from a sudden illness but it didn't exhibit this behaviour so I'm hoping it's unrelated. They're both eating and drinking fine and it's mostly notable when they lay down for a rest. It just looks so uncomfortable and I want to help them if i can

What was the chicken that just died doing before she passed?

 

[Kerioki]

What was the chicken that just died doing before she passed?

She was listless. Wasn't eating or drinking. She started shaking when I lifted her. Her poo was green. It was sudden in that she was fine the night before. Eating, drinking, walking around, then the next day all those symptoms set in at once and she died the following day. With this particular chicken I knew she would pass eventually because she was not really growing like her flock mates. She had an accident as a chick where she tried to follow her mother and ended up almost drowning. I rescued her in time to prevent drowning but she was basically blind after that and remained a runt. She had special needs but a big appetite. So the no eating was the first alarm bell and it went downhill fast.