Growhampton loves Chickens!

Hi everyone, I have some very EGGciting news. I’machickenlover has teamed up with the chickens brought about by the sustainability initiative Growhampton for Roehampton University. From now on with currently 8 hens and 4 chicks of breeds comprising of Marans, Araucana’s, Wyandotte’s and Buff Orpington’s, I will be telling you what exactly is going down with these birds. So you can expect to see soon on this blog about how you can help out and look after these chickens yourself, or learn more about how we are caring for the chooks day to day. But please come and check the chicks out next to Digby Square! 

It’s important to note that although everyone on this blog loves chickens, even they need green grass to live on! Every Thursday students can help harvest freshly grown vegetables as part of Growhampton before it is sold in Digby Square for the Market. I strongly recommend getting involved as this is a great way to meet new people and grow food you can eat! Also, visit The Hive Café, the fresh food is delicious. 

If you like the Growhampton FB page you can see any new events that may interest you.

https://www.facebook.com/RSUgrowhampton

http://www.growhampton.com/

Soon to Come:

The Daily Routine for the Growhampton Chooks!

Im Daisy, If you have any questions please email: pinnd@roehampton.ac.uk

Crop Impaction

The Crop is where any food that a chicken eats is temporarily held so the contents can be moistened and softened. This process happens before food passes in to the first part of the stomach (proventriculus) where enzymes are added. Then the contents are transported to the Ventriculus (often known as Gizzard) where grit and muscular contraction grinds down any substance in to a mush so it can be digested in the intestines. Occasionally, the passage between the crop and the Proventriculus can be blocked often by long grass or string. Birds present symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue and most importantly you can feel a solid bulge at the front of the breast. This is when the crop is impacted. Sometimes the passage becomes unblocked in due course however, its best to then take your bird to the vet where they can administer local anaesthetic and inject and cleanse the crop with sterile saline solution.  It is not recommended unless done by a professional to massage the crop while holding the chicken upside down. The act of regurgitating can then block the air passage which may be fatal!

To avoid Crop impaction

- Mow long grass
- Remove any dangers such as plastic or string from reach of your birds
-supply grit, it aids digestion and grinds down food
- General Hygiene in the Coop helps prevent the chance that your chickens catch Marek's disease. Marek's disease is fatal and contagious to chickens and can cause Crop Impaction where the nervous system is affected and its the stomachs failure to contract that stops digestion.


(Visibly enlarged/impacted crop in a hen)