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Crop slow-down, also known as sour crop, is a serious disorder found in baby birds who are usually handfed. The crop of the bird, located on the lower neck or throat area, is used to store food before it is digested. When the crop of the baby bird fails to empty all of its contents, the food can become fermented leading to life-threatening infections.

CAUSES

There are several causes of this disorder which can have direct relation with something a baby bird may have ingested. However, crop slow-down is normally caused by feeding a baby bird food at an incorrect temperature (too hot or too cold) but can also be caused by overfeeding, incorrectly feeding the baby bird and dehydration.

Poor living conditions including a low-temperature environment of the bird can lead to viral infections which also contribute to this disorder. Foreign objects such as bedding materials can be consumed by infant birds causing the crop to become obstructed.

SYMPTOMS

The crop on baby birds is more visible than on older birds which allow handlers to detect problems early. The size of the crop will vary among the different species of birds. Familiarize yourself with the breed of bird that you own especially the normal size and color of the crop. A healthy crop will be firm but not overly tight after a feeding. Discoloration of the crop can indicate an infection or a condition known as crop burn.

TREATMENT

If you suspect your bird has this disorder, the contents in the crop will need to be emptied by a trained professional, preferably an avian veterinarian. Very small amounts of applesauce added to the baby's formula can help the crop drain if the problem is caught early.

PREVENTION

Hand-feeding baby birds with sterile containers, clean hands and keeping the food an appropriate temperature are important for a baby bird's survival. Use a candy thermometer when testing the temperature of formula which should be 104 degrees Fahrenheit and never higher than 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Feeding formula at a higher temperature can cause crop burn that may lead to the crop not functioning properly or even worse, cause blisters leading to more serious complications.

Allow the crop to fully empty at least once daily (every 24 hours) and avoid over-feeding. A small amount of applesauce added to the bird's formula can help prevent this condition and will also help the crop to empty properly.

If slow-crop does occur and isn't treated properly, the condition can turn into crop stasis or slow-gut stasis. During this stage, the crop has become so impacted that the baby bird becomes deprived of nutrition. The fermented food undigested in the crop can cause infections that may lead to the death of the bird.

Treatment for crop stasis should be performed by a trained professional or veterinarian by using a sterile saline solution, flushing out the contents of the crop and administering antibiotics. Once the crop has been treated, feeding can resume but the food should have a more liquid consistency. This diet is continued until the crop has started to function properly again. Caring for infant birds requires special care and learning what to watch for before problems become too serious. If you suspect this condition in your bird, it is recommended to seek professional help early before the condition leads to more serious complications.

References:

BIRD CARE BOOK, ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP YOUR BIRD HEALTHY AND HAPPY by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, copyright 1989

http://www.petalia.com.au/ templates/storytemplate_proces s.cfm?story_no=1548&specie =&url.section=answers

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