Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-04

y,
it is a compac,ion or hardening OF tn.
crop. usually caused by yluttony OF
injudicious feeding, Instead OF tn.
crop having fun. close appearance
scarcely noticeable in the well-pro
portioncd bird-it is seen to hang down
like baE. and on closer inspection
II viii be found TO be greatly enlarged
hard and heavy.
The fowl thus afflicted is usual,
droopy and inactive and frequently a
had-smellirG liquid runs from the
mouth. In an advanced stage Of tn.
ailment the fowls comb will be pur-
pie in color and the bird may gasl
for breath.
There are two general forms Of crop
oound: one is the result of weak
ehed or partly paralyzed condition or
.he crop muscle and is usually observed
IN Old fowls whose vitality has been
impoverished by age and Improper
care, or in chicks of low stamina. IL
Is possible to relieve this condition by
.arelui medical treatment, although {
permanent cure is seldom effected
therefore. unless the victim is cor
sacred very valua BILE for some particu
lar purpose. ii is generally more pro-
n'aole TO Kill the sufferer and to de-
vote ones time and energy to correct,
the trouble.
49,, olH' OF cropbound Is
brought about by a cloEEing OF the
outlet OF the crop by twisted grass or
rough grain. 1t occurs most freouent
~ among birds that arc fed insufficient
green 1000, and as result OF this
craving for Ereenstuffs the fowls swat
~" p'eces OF nay, straw. tough blades
oil grass, cabbage ribs and other bulky
arucles. These obstruct the outlet OF
inc crop and finally become so on
tangled and solidiiied with other food
'na' the mass presses on the wind
! pipe making breathing difficult. or
| poisoned
occasionally ration contains too
much middlinSs or other sticky meal
led either dry or moist which, under
certain conditions mass together and
clog the passageway to the gizzard
The bird continues to eat, which only
oistends the cTor further. Finally the
victim shows signs OF weakness and
| unless the obstruction is removed tho
bird dies
CURE EASY IF TROUBLE
Is DISCOVERED LARRY
II the trouble is discovered early
the treatment is comparatively simple
and cure is virtually assured In the
later stages surgical operation is
necessary, which. though simple in it.
self, is often accompanied by complica-
tons that prove fatal.
The treatment usually prescribed Is
an injection OF castor oil or olive oil
into the crop. If these are not avail
able. melted lard will answer the pur-
pose. Warm water may he used. but
1t is not SO effective. Begin by drain
ing off any liquid in the crop. which is
omplished by holding the birds head
downward. Then inject the oil. about
two tablespoonfuls using a medicine
dropper. small syringe or spoon Hold
" l. nd
work the mass into the crop. After some
minutes this manipulation will cause
the injected liquid TO mix the solids.
When the mass is thoroughly broken
up an effort should be made TO remove
IL through the mouth
This is sometimes difficult, particu-
! larly If the Offending substance is long
and hhrouS. such as grass. II the mas
/ saying IS Intellectual in removing the
! contents OF the crop through the month
and tho case is not serious one. it
I may be we'll 10 wait and see if the
trouble vii! not pass off naturally.
/ kncadins the crop sometimes dislodges
! the obstruction in the outlet. and with
the aid of the oil the mass may be
/ dCeSted
Fowls addicted to feather-eating are
I prone to become cropbound. for the
I simple reason that they swallow the
/ tcatcrs. which become matted ana
| cause stoppagc This habit should
/ he bi Oxen up at the earliest moment
/ Remove the ringlcaders and give the
! flock more meat.
AS the food leaves the crop II passes
through another section OF the outlet
until we'll within the body cavity. when
the esophagus tube expands into the
proventriculus or slandular stomach
which is located a short distance above
the Eizzard
Bulky foods, such as bran. ground
a 81
are recommended for poultry OF all
ages, inasmuch as they serve to develop
crop capacity. The prolific layer must
hc able to consume large quantities Of
food. and 10 do this the fowl must have
"A large crop. 1t will be noted that
! with their crops bullying with food.
| Bulky food alone will not produce
/ eggs, however. because II contains too
much waste matter.
| The Elandular stomach does not
| really detain tho food. It's function Is
| TO sccrcte pepsin and hydrochloric acid.
| which are mixed with the food
| preparatory TO the grinding of the food
/ IN the muscular stomach. or GizZard.
| Any one who has drawn chicken
! Is familiar with this remarkable or
gan. The Gizzard is an oval-sha ped
/ body. somewhat fattened on two sides.
! very hard and very muscular 1t is
4 located behind the liver and has two
/ openings. one communicating with the
! elandular stomach. from which 1t re-
Z ceivcs the food and the other with
/ Tie duodenum or intestine. to which 1t
/ delivers the food ground into homo
rcncous. partially diEested pulp. The
! lizard tissue is dark red in color, firm
! In texture. and when opened with a
knife il will he seen to have a thick
Inning which has rough or horny
/ surface This lining or sac contains a
wide assortment OF small stones, sand
and bits of gritty substances which
serve as the teeth OF the bird.
AS the food enters the gizZard II is
f.. mixed with this gritty material: a
strong rotary muscular action then
brushes the food until the grains and
ether materials are reduced to a pulp.
H X a = ~ { s.sseya