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)