What to do if my baby bird's crop is swollen from bread and milk?

A bulging crop may indicate a full crop and that you may be giving too much food at a time. If it doesn't return to normal after a few hours, reducing the amount of food, or making sure that Sailor doesn't have an impacted/obstructed crop is best. Feeding smaller meals more often may also help reduce the crop being overfull.

Hello! The crop is supposed to enlarge as it is filling, but his heaving makes me worry that he could have aspirated some of the food into his lungs and may be at risk for pneumonia. I would recommend surrendering him into a wildlife sanctuary or a veterinary hospital that cares for wildlife. They will have baby bird formula and avian electrolyte supplements for optimal nutrition and can give him antibiotics if necessary. This will give him the best chance of survival. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for reaching out about your bird and including photos. A crop infection with a yeast (Candida) is highly likely, but bacteria could also be a component. Without medication, recovery is unlikely. Supply heat support in the 80-85 F range for immune support. Schedule a veterinary visit for prescription of medications. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Rick and including a photo. An over-sized crop can be due to over-eating or a disease. Crop infections (bacteria, fungal), ingested foreign bodies and obstructions, systemic illness are all possibilities. Check and correct husbandry, as baby birds need to be kept warm. If the crop appears firm, offering small amounts of water and massaging the crop might help. If Rick appears ill, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

There may be a mass in the crop or it could be severely impacted. Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating birds. Hopefully, it will be something treatable. The vet can also assess the feathers to rule out infection or parasites. In the meantime, clean and sanitize the cage. Sanitize bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change the paper or substrate daily. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the vet.

Ideally, it should be examined by an experienced wildlife or avian veterinarian. The symptoms reported may be due to injury or infection on or around the feet. It may also be diet related. Dog food and cheese are not appropriate foods as these birds subsist on a diet of small prey, insects, fruits and vegetables. It is never recommended to feed wildlife as it can be detrimental to them and dangerous to you.

A full crop will feel like a giant, fat balloon just under the chin/neck, and in birds that don't have their feathers in yet may be visible. An empty crop will just be a flat, normal looking neck. Keeping a full crop in a baby bird is best as it means they always have something for nutrients and to keep them full and happy. If they constantly have empty crops they need to have their feeding throughout the day increased to keep them full. Following the guidelines on your baby bird formula can help you make sure you're feeding enough and often enough.