Diseases of the Alimentary Tract 59 



The crop is seen to be very large and much distended with 

 contents which are more or less firmly packed together. If 

 permitted to continue, the condition becomes aggravated, 

 the breathing difficult, and death may result. 



Treatment. — If a large number of crop bound birds occur 

 in a flock, it should be taken as a sign that something is 

 wrong in the management. Measures should be taken to 

 correct errors in feeding and thus give the birds a more vigor- 

 ous digestion. In such epidemics other evidences of indiges- 

 tion are usually present and the particular treatment of the 

 flock will depend largely on these other symptoms. In 

 general the birds should not be fed too much at any one time 

 and they should be encouraged to take as much exercise as 

 possible, and should have plenty of green food. 



When a crop bound bird is found it must be treated indi- 

 vidually. Treatment in such individual cases is quite often 

 successful. The profitableness of such treatment must be 

 decided by every poultryman for himself. If the crop bound 

 condition is discovered and treated at the beginning of the 

 trouble the bird will usually recover quickly and may make 

 a profitable fowl. On the other hand if the condition has 

 become chronic the vitality of the bird is greatly lowered. 

 In this latter case it may recover but it will be a long time 

 before it will repay the owner for his trouble and feed. 



If swelled grain is the cause of the impaction the bird may 

 often be successfully treated without an operation. In 

 this case first give the bird a tablespoonful of castor oil. 

 After allowing this a little time to work into the crop begin 

 to knead the hard mass. After this mass has been softened 

 hold the bird with head downward and attempt to work the 

 grain out through the mouth. If unsuccessful in this or if 

 the impaction is due to clogging with straw or other material 

 it will be necessary to open the crop. 



The operation for impacted crop is comparatively simple. 



