Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 287, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1911 — HOW ID RELIEVE CROP CONGESTION [ARTICLE]

HOW ID RELIEVE CROP CONGESTION

Very frequently when chickens first roam in the spring and gather food for themselves they are likely to swallow a large amount of dry, indigestible grass. This remains in the chicken’s crop a hard, undigested mass that is likely to cause death. Pour a small quantity of sweet oil into the mouth and cause the bird to swallow it, then manipulate that portion of the crop nearest the throat by careful - pressure and squeezing between the thumb and fore finger in such a manner as to break up the contents of the crop and force it toward the mouth in small portions. Suspend the bird, head downwards from time to time and press the loosened particles of food toward the head so they will escape from the mouth. With care and patience the crop may bo entirely emptied in this way, If oil is administered as often as required to soften the contents. ' * After this is accomplished give two grains of baking soda in water, keeping without food for a day, then feed sparingly on soft diet until recovery is complete.