Impacted Crop
A blockage of fibrous material (long grass, straw, bedding) jams the crop so food cannot pass. The crop stays full and firm by morning instead of empty.
Mix of AI illustrations and anonymized real cases shared by community keepers. Visual severity varies by bird, age, and stage.
Symptoms
- Hard distended crop
- Crop does not empty overnight
- Lethargic / not moving
- Not eating
- Weight loss
Treatment
Withhold food 12 hours, water always available. Offer a teaspoon of olive oil and massage the crop gently for several minutes, several times a day. Soft moist mash once the blockage breaks down. Vet surgery may be needed if it does not clear in 48 hours.
Prevention
Cut long grass short. Offer free choice grit. Do not let birds gorge on long bedding. Keep feed clean and dry.
Typical recovery
2 to 7 days with prompt care.
Clearing an impacted crop safely
An impacted crop is a blockage. Food, long grass, straw, string or other material packs into the crop and cannot move on. The crop feels hard or doughy and stays full even after a night without eating. Left alone, the bird slowly starves.
Signs to watch for
- A crop that is still full and firm first thing in the morning.
- Bird eating less, or not at all.
- Fluffed up, quiet and losing weight.
- Stretching the neck or seeming uncomfortable.
- Bad breath if it has started to ferment.
Step by step at home
- Confirm it. Check the crop in the morning before she eats. Healthy crops are empty by then.
- Remove food for a short time, but always leave water.
- Offer a little water and gently massage the crop with your fingers, working the mass apart and down. Do this a few times a day.
- Once it softens and begins to empty, offer small amounts of soft, wet food.
- Check each morning for progress.
What not to do
Avoid holding her upside down to empty the crop. She can inhale fluid and die. Do not try to pull material out through her mouth. Only a vet should do anything more invasive.
How to tell this apart from sour crop
Impacted crop is hard or doughy. Sour crop is soft and squishy and smells sour. They can overlap, since a blockage can turn sour. A crop that stays full with a normal feel can also mean a problem further down, such as an egg stuck inside or a tumor. The not eating page covers other causes.
When to call a vet
Call an avian or poultry vet if the crop is still hard after a day or two of care, if she is weak or losing weight, or if you suspect she swallowed string, plastic or something sharp. A vet can do a small surgery to remove the blockage, and birds often do well after it.
Prevention
- Keep grass in the run short. Long, tough grass is a common cause.
- Do not give long grass clippings or straw that birds may swallow.
- Make sure birds always have grit if they eat anything besides complete feed. See the grit guide.
- Pick up string, twine and plastic from the run.
The flock and the eggs
Impacted crop is not contagious, but if one bird got it from long grass or string, others may be at risk. Eggs are fine to eat unless she gets medication, in which case check the product label or ask a vet.
Common questions about impacted crop
How do I know if my chicken has an impacted crop?
A firm, full crop first thing in the morning is the main sign.
Can a chicken live with an impacted crop?
Not for long. If it does not clear, she will slowly starve. Get help if it does not improve.
Does olive oil help an impacted crop?
Some keepers use a little, but it can be inhaled and is not a cure. Massage and a vet are safer.
