Incidence of pendulous crop is low in flocks of chickens and turkeys. The crop is visibly distended and contains foul-smelling fluid, feed, and litter. Feed utilization is impaired, and severely affected birds become thin or emaciated. Survivors often are condemned or trimmed at processing to reduce contamination by crop contents.

The etiology is not known, but a hereditary predisposition has been suggested in turkeys. Incidence may increase with erratic or excessive feed or water consumption.Vagus nerve damage has also been postulated as a cause. There is no known efficacious treatment.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Eric Gonder