update: 1 wk old chick- swollen crop

[junebuggena]

If food was not removed, she could have pigged out first thing in the morning. You need to be sure that there is absolutely no chance of the chick eating before you are able to check it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

OK, thanks, so that tells me that this chick didn't eat overnight (because it was dark and I'm using the heating pad cave set-up), so does that make it a bigger problem that her crop was so swollen this morning?

Or should I just watch her behavior, as EggSighted4Life suggested, and make sure she's eating/drinking the same as the others (and not worry so much about the bulging crop).

Thanks a lot for helping me work this out!

I think it's a bigger problem if that chick hadn't eaten throughout the night, and I agree they wouldn't under MHP.

The first thing pig out might be a possibility.

Behavior should be a tell tell sign though.

 

[mamaem]

I think it's a bigger problem if that chick hadn't eaten throughout the night, and I agree they wouldn't under MHP.

The first thing pig out might be a possibility.

Behavior should be a tell tell sign though.

OK, the kids and I will keep a close eye on behavior throughout the day, but I'll continue to allow access to food (and plenty of grit, I guess). Thanks again!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

OK, the kids and I will keep a close eye on behavior throughout the day, but I'll continue to allow access to food (and plenty of grit, I guess). Thanks again!

Most importantly, make sure she is drinking. Dehydration will kill.

Are you putting any supplement in the water right now?

ETA: I already see the answer.

 

[mamaem]

It's been another 4 days, and I've been removing food overnight. Each morning, the chick with the swollen crop still has a bulge about the size of a grape or black olive, and it's kind of hard (and still seems to have a faint crunchy sound when massaged). Then, by the end of the day, it has close to doubled in size and the skin looks shiny, taut and pink (you can even see veins through the skin).

The chick stays under the heating pad cave a bit more than the others, but when she's out, she's active and eats, drinks, and poops. I can't understand why this is not getting better or why is it not getting worse? Can a chick grow to be an adult chicken with a clump of non-food in her crop (probably sawdust), and just live that way?

Advice appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's been another 4 days, and I've been removing food overnight. Each morning, the chick with the swollen crop still has a bulge about the size of a grape or black olive, and it's kind of hard (and still seems to have a faint crunchy sound when massaged). Then, by the end of the day, it has close to doubled in size and the skin looks shiny, taut and pink (you can even see veins through the skin).

The chick stays under the heating pad cave a bit more than the others, but when she's out, she's active and eats, drinks, and poops. I can't understand why this is not getting better or why is it not getting worse? Can a chick grow to be an adult chicken with a clump of non-food in her crop (probably sawdust), and just live that way?

Advice appreciated!

Hmm... I don't see why saw dust wouldn't work it's way through...

I wouldn't think it could live happily ever after, but stranger things have happened. If it's just a lump that isn't blocking anything digestive though, maybe it will just make the crop have slightly less capacity.

I'm glad it isn't getting worse. I would still be cautious. I have lost a chick that I thought was going to survive at 2 weeks. But every situation is different.

Are you trying a little bit of oil with your massaging?

 

[mamaem]

Hmm... I don't see why saw dust wouldn't work it's way through...

I wouldn't think it could live happily ever after, but stranger things have happened. If it's just a lump that isn't blocking anything digestive though, maybe it will just make the crop have slightly less capacity.

I'm glad it isn't getting worse. I would still be cautious. I have lost a chick that I thought was going to survive at 2 weeks. But every situation is different.

Are you trying a little bit of oil with your massaging?

Thanks for the reply! I haven't tried giving oil (which I think I recall reading means using a syringe and squirting some olive oil down it's throat?). Maybe that's the next step.

If she's not going to survive, I think the kids and I will be ok with it... I just don't want it to be drawn out and suffering. We actually got five chicks instead of three or four in case one dies (we live in an urban area and already have three ducks). It's just weird to me that it doesn't seem to be improving OR getting worse (it seems like with health issues with animals, one or the other will happen pretty quickly).

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Yes, do try the oil.

I was also going to suggest some kefir grains! Do you know anyone who has some growing and ready to feed? I wouldn't give the chick too much, just a little, especially at first. If you don't have kefir, try some yogurt- preferably one without any sugar (plain).

Please try the kefir though if you can!

Are you sure its the crop and not an air sac? I'm not sure where air sacs are located on chickens, but I do know they have them somewhere- perhaps its that instead of the crop?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks for the reply! I haven't tried giving oil (which I think I recall reading means using a syringe and squirting some olive oil down it's throat?). Maybe that's the next step.

If she's not going to survive, I think the kids and I will be ok with it... I just don't want it to be drawn out and suffering. We actually got five chicks instead of three or four in case one dies (we live in an urban area and already have three ducks). It's just weird to me that it doesn't seem to be improving OR getting worse (it seems like with health issues with animals, one or the other will happen pretty quickly).

I might just drop a little oil on the tip of the beak and let her gobble it when it rolls around to her mouth. Or put some in a dish and let her get a drink. I don't know if it will help to add it to the feed. I've never had to do it yet. But since she is active, I wouldn't be trying to syringe anything.

And even though people say olive oil... to me oil is oil...

I don't know that you need to try, I was just mentioning it... in case.

As long as she isn't suffering, I would continue to do my best for her.

I think losing pets when you are young helps to learn how to accept death a little easier when someone you really care about passes later in life. That's what I tell myself anyways, cause it sure doesn't seem to make it any easier.

 

[mamaem]

Yes, do try the oil.

I was also going to suggest some kefir grains! Do you know anyone who has some growing and ready to feed? I wouldn't give the chick too much, just a little, especially at first. If you don't have kefir, try some yogurt- preferably one without any sugar (plain).

Please try the kefir though if you can!

Are you sure its the crop and not an air sac? I'm not sure where air sacs are located on chickens, but I do know they have them somewhere- perhaps its that instead of the crop?

Thanks, Bocktobery 10, I don't know anything about kefir (and live in an urban area, so I don't know anybody growing it). I have been adding some chick probiotic powder to the water every other day, which I hope would accomplish the same thing as yogurt.