CHAPTER XLVI 



CROP BOUND 



CROP BOUND is caused by the swelling of grain, or 

 by shavings, long pieces of hay or grass obstructing 

 the outlet and also by foods forming a hard mass in 

 the crop. Confined fowls which are deprived of 

 the necessary vegetable diet often eat the litter, 

 resulting in this condition. Sometimes the fowls 

 will eat a quantity of green leaves and some of these 

 become packed in such a manner that the passage 

 of the food is made impossible. The absence of 

 grit and oyster shells tend towards bringing on this 

 disease. 



In most cases an operation becomes necessary, 

 but I would advise trying the following treatment 

 first: Secure a small rubber tube not thicker than 

 a lead pencil, to which should be fastened a glass 

 or tin funnel. Moisten the tube in warm water 

 and insert same into the mouth and down the throat 

 into the crop. Avoid getting it into the windpipe, 

 or a strangled fowl will be the result. Slowly pour 

 a quantity of warm water, not too hot, into the 

 funnel, and keep busy working the crop with the 

 finger so as to loosen up the contents of the crop 

 until it is soft. Next hold the bird head down- 

 ward and keep on working the crop until the mass 



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