Large bulge on side of hens breast

[project7030]

I picked up my little mille fleur hen tonight and noticed she has a huge bulge in the right side of her breast. Its not hard like a mass, but squishy like a fluid filled bubble. Its really weird. She acts fine and is eating and drinking. Should I be worried? She laid her first egg today, but I don't think thats related.

 

[real_redhead]

That is her crop!! Nothing to worry about.

 

[kittykittykitty]

It's just her crop. All chickens have one!

 

[project7030]

Ok, thanks. I thought that might be what it was. I'm pretty new to chickens, so forgive my ignorance.

 

[ladychicken&Ducklover]

Quote:
Oh my, I just posted the same concern the same time you did..

 

[Slinglings]

so it is normal for it to be swolen just on one side?

NEVERMIND! I figured out that the crop is indeed just on one side. I thought it would be more centered One of my hens has a rather large swolen lump on one side, but she seems fine. I'll keep an eye on her.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Sounds like you feed those chickens good!

If the "swollen lump" is in the same place as the others (crop) but is hard and won't empty after not eating... look up impacted crop.
Some people give the birds oil and massage the bulge for impacted crop.

 

[Slinglings]

I was able to grab her last night and give her a nice massage. She was acting perfectly normal, and the crop was soft and felt fine, IMO. I checked her this morning and the lump was gone. She just ate too much I think It freaked me out.

 

[Chicks on DL]

The crop will be larger as the day goes on. In the evening, depending on how much they eat, their crop can be about the size of a golf ball. Sometimes mine are even larger depending on how much leftovers I give them. Then in the morning it is almost non-existent. They are basically storing food while they sleep. Freaked me out the first time I noticed.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I was able to grab her last night and give her a nice massage. She was acting perfectly normal, and the crop was soft and felt fine, IMO. I checked her this morning and the lump was gone. She just ate too much I think It freaked me out.

The food takes a long time to work its way through the gizzard so the crop fills up. They will continue to digest all night and should wake up with an empty crop in the morning. As long as they have an empty crop in the morning they are fine and you do not need to worry about it. Some hens are greedier than others and will have more full crops. If you ever think there might be a problem, isolate the hen for the night and then check on her in the morning. empty crop = fine.