Last updated: 18 Aug 2025 | 170 Views |
Crop Burn in Birds
by Dr. Pannchalee Meesaimongkol (Dr. Kook), Kwan Kham Animal Hospital
What is the Crop?
The crop is an expanded portion of the esophagus, located just before the thoracic cavity. Its main function is to serve as a temporary storage organ for food. The duration that food remains in the crop depends on the amount of food consumed—on average about 4–6 hours—before it passes into the proventriculus (the true stomach) where digestion and energy extraction take place.
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Causes of Crop Burn
Crop burn occurs when food is fed at an excessively high temperature (above 40°C / 104°F). The high temperature damages the tissues of the crop, leading to clinical abnormalities. This condition is most often observed in hand-fed chicks, as they rely primarily on syringe feeding and are more vulnerable to improper food temperatures. However, crop burn may also occur in adult birds if they are fed overheated food.
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Clinical Signs
In the early stages, birds may not show any obvious symptoms. With increased severity, however, the following signs may be observed:
• Bruising of the skin overlying the crop
• Delayed crop emptying (food remains longer than 6 hours)
• Lethargy and regurgitation
• Weight loss due to insufficient energy intake
• Secondary systemic illnesses
In severe cases where the crop tissue becomes perforated, scabs may form over the leakage site, or food may visibly leak through the skin after feeding. In some cases, it may take several days before the owner notices food leakage externally.
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Treatment
• Mild cases: Anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics may be prescribed. If delayed crop emptying is present, prokinetic drugs may also be considered to stimulate the upper gastrointestinal tract.
• Severe cases (crop perforation): Surgical intervention is required to repair the perforation.
The prognosis depends on the overall health status of the bird at the time of diagnosis and the extent of crop tissue damage.
8 Jul 2025
25 Mar 2025
