Normal crop or not?

[Citruschick]

My 21 wk old rooster has developed a noticeable crop-- I've never had a crop issue before with other flocks so I'm curious if/when I should worry. He's happy, crow-y, active, eating, drinking and pooping (tho he has had a bit of dark diarrhea). He LOVES to eat and drink and is definitely the king of the feeder, snack bowl and waterer. They are in the process of switching from starter to layena and get veggies, fruit, seeds and mealworms as treats. They free range at sunset but our yard is mostly dirt so they aren't eating grass but I do give them sprouts.
When I feel his crop, it feels gritty inside... Like a bean bag filled with mashed potatoes and coarse sand-- soft, full and a little crunchy. He's not panting, doesn't smell, and doesn't vomit or cough if I feel his crop. I mostly interact with them later in the day so I'll see tomorrow what his crop is like in the morning.

 

[Debbie292d]

That's a good description for what a healthy crop I've felt feels like, a bean bag.

Good idea to just see what his crop is in the morning. By switching feed, he may have just eaten more than usual. Hopefully, most if not all will be gone in the morning.

You could also give them some probiotics a couple of times a week, and it might help with the diarrhea. We use powders in water or ferment grains, but Greek yogurt or regular sugar-free yogurt is good, too.

 

[Citruschick]

That's a good description for what a healthy crop I've felt feels like, a bean bag.

Good idea to just see what his crop is in the morning. By switching feed, he may have just eaten more than usual. Hopefully, most if not all will be gone in the morning.

You could also give them some probiotics a couple of times a week, and it might help with the diarrhea. We use powders in water or ferment grains, but Greek yogurt or regular sugar-free yogurt is good, too.

Thank you!

 

[Citruschick]

My 21 wk old rooster has developed a noticeable crop-- I've never had a crop issue before with other flocks so I'm curious if/when I should worry. He's happy, crow-y, active, eating, drinking and pooping (tho he has had a bit of dark diarrhea). He LOVES to eat and drink and is definitely the king of the feeder, snack bowl and waterer. They are in the process of switching from starter to layena and get veggies, fruit, seeds and mealworms as treats. They free range at sunset but our yard is mostly dirt so they aren't eating grass but I do give them sprouts.
When I feel his crop, it feels gritty inside... Like a bean bag filled with mashed potatoes and coarse sand-- soft, full and a little crunchy. He's not panting, doesn't smell, and doesn't vomit or cough if I feel his crop. I mostly interact with them later in the day so I'll see tomorrow what his crop is like in the morning.

 

[Debbie292d]

Boy that awesome looking rooster sure did eat up didn't he! I hope you find in the morning it's way down.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My 21 wk old rooster has developed a noticeable crop-- I've never had a crop issue before with other flocks so I'm curious if/when I should worry. He's happy, crow-y, active, eating, drinking and pooping (tho he has had a bit of dark diarrhea). He LOVES to eat and drink and is definitely the king of the feeder, snack bowl and waterer. They are in the process of switching from starter to layena and get veggies, fruit, seeds and mealworms as treats. They free range at sunset but our yard is mostly dirt so they aren't eating grass but I do give them sprouts.
When I feel his crop, it feels gritty inside... Like a bean bag filled with mashed potatoes and coarse sand-- soft, full and a little crunchy. He's not panting, doesn't smell, and doesn't vomit or cough if I feel his crop. I mostly interact with them later in the day so I'll see tomorrow what his crop is like in the morning.

He's handsome.

I'd check his crop in the morning before he's had anything to eat/drink, see if it's emptier then.

If you are checking late in the day, the crop should be full.

Do provide your flock Grit (Crushed Granite) free choice. Just scatter some in the run or place in separate dish within the run.

Are your pullets in lay? If not, then I'd keep them on Starter or an All flock feed until they begin to lay eggs, then you can switch to layer feed or just continue with an All Flock type feed, providing oyster shell free choice.