How does a chickens crop work?

The crop is an organ that is exclusive to bids. A crop's main function is to store food. It is like an extra storage tank for the bird. The crop is located at the base of the neck and can be easily seen after a bird has just eaten.

If you have chickens, a sure way to tell if a bird is full is to look at the size of the crop. If the crop is large in size the bird is most likely full. If the crop is deflated and has a flat appearance the bird has not eaten yet. The crop continuously supplies small amounts of the food to the stomach.

Food passes from the crop to the stomach. This is the most active part of the digestive system of a chicken. There are two parts to the stomach of a bird. The first part is known as the proventriculus. This is the glandular portion of the stomach. This part secretes digestive juices which break down the food. The proventriculus joins a large muscular portion of the stomach known as the ventriculus, or more commonly known as the gizzard. The gizzard grinds up food even more. The gizzard contains gravel, which works alongside with muscles in grinding up food.