My baby bird's crop is swollen and not improving. What should I do?

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.

It's possible that the bread is caught in the crop or isn't breaking down and digesting. Birds should also not be given dairy products as it can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. It is best to stick with a formulated baby bird food until your bird is old enough to begin adding in solids (usually a balanced adult diet) to their meals. If the crop remains swollen or Marcos appears listless, doesn't want to eat, or in pain it is best to seek veterinary care immediately.

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 Charlie. Crop infections or impactions are common in cockatiels. A veterinary visit is recommend to assess and provide a treatment plan. Provide heat support in the 80-85 F range for support.. Offer small amounts of water in an attempt to loosen or dilute crop contents. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your pigeon. Crop problems can be infections (bacterial, fungal, yeast), a crop foreign body or other problem, so a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Monitor appetite and water consumption. If you look into the mouth, can you see a white film, do you smell anything? Good luck.

Problems with the crop are seldom due to the crop itself, but are often indicative of a problem further down the GI tract. Occasionally, the use of antifungal and/or antibacterial drugs can be useful if the problem is crop-related, but if not, typically other diagnostics are necessary to resolve the problem effectively.

You should have the chicks or parents examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet. A culture may identify bacteria. If you are hand feeding, use fresh food for each clutch. Clean and sanitize all equipment between feedings or clutches. Clean and sanitize all cages, bowls, toys nest boxes and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change cage paper daily. Make sure the chicks are kept warm and are emptying their crops regularly. Sour crop, or crop stasis, can result in a hard crop full of spoiled food and bacteria or fungi. This can kill young chicks if left untreated.