Have you ever noticed a strange bulge on your chicken’s chest and worried it might be a tumor? Don’t panic! What you’re likely feeling is actually a normal part of your chicken’s anatomy – the crop. When I first started raising chickens, I remember frantically googling “chicken lump on breast” at midnight, convinced my favorite hen was dying. Turns out, she just had a full crop after a big dinner!
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about chicken crops – from what they are and how they function to common problems and how to spot them Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting your backyard flock journey, understanding this important organ is essential for proper chicken care.
What Exactly Is a Chicken Crop?
A chicken’s crop is basically a food storage pouch located on the right side of a chicken’s breast. It’s part of their digestive system and serves as a temporary holding area for food after it’s swallowed. Think of it as a chicken’s personal “lunchbox” where food waits before continuing its journey through the digestive tract.
The crop is positioned slightly to the right of the breast muscle and connects to the esophagus. When a chicken eats, food travels down the esophagus (think of it like a water slide) and empties into the crop. The food stays there until it moves on to the next stage of digestion in the proventriculus (stomach)
How the Crop Works in a Chicken’s Digestive System
To understand the crop better, let’s follow the journey of food through a chicken’s digestive system:
- Mouth: Chickens pick up food with their beaks and use their tongues to push it to the back of the mouth.
- Esophagus: Food travels down this tube into the crop.
- Crop: Food is stored here temporarily.
- Proventriculus: This is the chicken’s true stomach, where digestive juices begin breaking down food.
- Gizzard: Food moves here to be “chewed” by muscular contractions against small stones (grit).
- Intestines: Further digestion and nutrient absorption occurs.
- Cloaca: Waste is eliminated.
The crop is especially important because chickens don’t have teeth to chew their food properly. Instead, they quickly consume food throughout the day, storing it in their crop, which then slowly releases food to the rest of the digestive system.
What’s Normal vs. Abnormal for a Chicken Crop
Learning what’s normal for a chicken’s crop will help you identify when something’s wrong. Here’s what you should expect:
Normal Crop Conditions:
- Morning: The crop should be empty or nearly empty in the morning before eating.
- After Eating: The crop will feel swollen and slightly firm.
- Throughout Day: The crop gradually shrinks as food moves into the digestive system.
- Capacity: A normal crop holds approximately 1.5 ounces (45cc) of food.
How to Check Your Chicken’s Crop:
- Hold your chicken with its tail facing you and beak facing away (like you’re giving it a hug from behind).
- Reach around to the front of its breast, slightly to the right of center.
- Gently feel for the crop – if it’s full, you’ll feel a soft, rounded swelling.
- If you can’t feel anything, either the crop is empty or you’re feeling in the wrong spot (usually too high on the neck).
Abnormal Signs to Watch For:
- Hard crop that doesn’t empty overnight (could be impacted crop)
- Squishy, water-balloon feeling with sour-smelling breath (might be sour crop)
- Permanently stretched crop that hangs down (pendulous crop)
Common Crop Problems and Their Solutions
Impacted Crop
An impacted crop occurs when food or fibrous material gets stuck and can’t pass through to the rest of the digestive system. The crop becomes hard and doesn’t empty overnight.
Causes:
- Long fibrous materials like hay or grass
- Eating bedding material
- Insufficient grit to help grind food
Treatment:
- Provide granite grit to help break up the impaction
- Consult a vet if possible – they may flush the crop with water
- As a last resort (if vet care isn’t available), some chicken keepers perform home surgery, though this should only be attempted if death is the alternative
Sour Crop
Sour crop is a yeast infection (Candida) in the crop. The crop feels squishy, and the chicken’s breath smells bad or sour.
Causes:
- Slow crop emptying creating favorable conditions for yeast growth
- Antibiotic use disrupting normal gut flora
- Moldy feed
Treatment:
- Clean and sanitize all feeders and waterers
- Isolate the affected bird
- Flush the crop with a solution of 1 teaspoon Epsom salts in ½ cup water twice daily for 2-3 days
- Treat the fungal infection (consult chicken health resources for specific antifungal treatments)
- Avoid antibiotics during treatment, which can make the condition worse
Pendulous Crop
This is a less common problem where the crop becomes stretched and hangs down like a pendulum. It’s usually a permanent condition that requires management.
Causes:
- Previous crop impactions or sour crop
- Genetic predisposition
- Crop muscle damage
Management:
- May require a supportive “crop bra” to prevent further stretching
- More frequent, smaller meals
- Raising food and water dishes to help with emptying
The Difference Between a Crop and a Gizzard
People often confuse these two digestive organs, but they serve different purposes:
Crop:
- Located in the upper chest/neck area
- Stores food temporarily
- Doesn’t grind or digest food
- Softens food with saliva and mucus
Gizzard:
- Located deeper in the digestive tract
- Works like teeth to grind food
- Contains small stones (grit) that help crush food
- Has strong muscles to contract and grind
Both are essential parts of the chicken’s digestive system, but they perform different functions. The crop holds food, while the gizzard grinds it.
Why Chickens Need Grit
Since we’re talking about digestion, it’s worth mentioning grit. Chickens don’t have teeth, so they rely on grit (small stones) in their gizzard to grind food. Without grit, food can’t be properly broken down, potentially leading to crop issues.
- Baby chicks eating only commercial starter don’t usually need grit because the feed is finely ground
- Once chickens eat anything besides commercial feed (treats, grass, bugs), they need grit
- Free-ranging chickens pick up natural grit, but it’s still good to provide additional grit
- Commercial grit is inexpensive and easy to offer in a small dish
Tips for Keeping Your Chicken’s Crop Healthy
- Provide fresh, clean water at all times to help food move through the digestive system
- Offer appropriate grit for proper digestion
- Avoid moldy feed which can lead to yeast infections
- Limit long, stringy treats like grass clippings that could cause impaction
- Check crops regularly by feeling them in the morning when they should be empty
- Keep feeding and watering areas clean to prevent contamination
Final Thoughts
Understanding your chicken’s crop is an important part of chicken keeping. By knowing what’s normal and what’s not, you’ll be better equipped to spot problems early and take appropriate action. Remember, the crop is just one part of your chicken’s complex digestive system, but it’s an important one!
When I first started raising chickens, I was constantly worried about everything. Is that normal? Should I call a vet? Over time, I’ve learned that prevention through good management practices is the best approach. Regular crop checks have become part of my chicken care routine, just like checking for mites or cleaning the coop.
Have you ever dealt with crop issues in your flock? Or maybe you have questions about chicken digestion? Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you!
Disclaimer: While this article provides general information about chicken health, it’s not a substitute for veterinary care. If your chicken shows signs of illness, please consult a poultry veterinarian if possible.
Common Crop Issues in Backyard Chickens
Chickens, as well as other birds, have a unique digestive system, which allows them to feed very quickly and digest it later at a safer location. They do not have teeth, so feed is swallowed whole. The crop is part of their digestive system (Figure 1).
The crop is a storage sack that holds the feed and slowly releases it to the gizzard where it is ground into smaller pieces. When the crop is full, it is visible as a small protrusion at the base of the neck in front of the chest.
The crop is easy to locate after a bird has just eaten. Many times, the texture of the feed can be felt by gently massaging the crop, especially if the feed contains larger pieces such as whole corn. While problems with the crop are rare, when they do occur, timely action will lead to better results.
The best time to check your flock for crop issues is first thing in the morning before the birds have time to eat. A normal crop will be empty and hard to find at that time. When you locate it, you can move it around with your fingers. If a bird has a crop that feels full and hard despite not having eaten for a long time, it may indicate a problem (Figure 2).
Pendulous Crop is Enlarged and Distended
A pendulous crop hangs down in the front of the bird. As a result, the crop cannot empty properly which can lead to other problems like sour crop (see below). Affected birds continue to eat but they lose weight and eventually become emaciated and may die.
The exact cause of pendulous crop is unknown, but this condition frequently develops after binge eating, excessive water intake, or consumption of large amounts of fibrous or indigestible material like grasses, rocks or sand. Chicks brooded at very high temperatures can also develop this condition as they will drink excessive amounts of water. Crop washes will not recover any fungal elements, only foul-smelling liquid. Because the muscles and ligaments have been damaged, no treatment is available. Owners wishing to maintain their birds can try using a “crop bra.” This is a type of bandage that gently places pressure on the crop to help the contents empty into the stomach and hold the crop in place. It must be worn continually, as the crop will revert to the pendulous condition if the crop bra is removed. Birds that develop a pendulous crop should not be used as breeders since the condition can pass from generation to generation.
Sour Crop in Chickens What is it And How to Treat it
FAQ
What is the purpose of the chicken crop?
The main function of the crop is to store feed while the proventriculus and gizzard are full of feed. Shortly after feed is ingested, it is normal for the crop to be distended and full of feed.
What are chicken crop symptoms?
An impacted crop in hens causes digestive blockage, leading to lethargy and abnormal posture like limping. Symptoms include decreased appetite, abnormal feces, and abdominal discomfort. Treatment involves gentle crop massage, hydration, and dietary adjustments.
How to tell if a chicken’s crop is full?
The crop is located in the middle of the upper chest of the chicken. If it is firm it is full. A healthy full crop should be about the size of a plum and non-tender. Crops should be full at bedtime and empty in the morning. An impacted crop will be firm and large like a tennis ball and may be tender to touch.