Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-29
Gaps in Chickens.

Gaps in Chickens.
1t Is not attachinglt too much inpor-
lance to the proceeds Of the poultry
yard. to say no department Of farming
pays better than 1t does. when well
regulated and well stocked. Whether
we regard them as a source Of income,
or matter Of convenience and luxury,
eggs and chickens stand second to
nothing. Itis important. then. that
whatever tends to diminish the profit
or pleasure. should be removed. Un-
questionably the gaps in the young
chickens is the greatest enemy TO the
race. If vermin Stay their thou
sands. these Stay their ten thousands.
It is now no longer a question what
causes the Gaping, nor is its cure
very difficult or uncertain. II is
caused by worms in the wind pipe,
and these may generally be removed.
by thrusting a feather. properly trim
med, into the wind pipe and after
turning it around few times, with
drawing IL. A little practice will
give great skill in this surgical opera
ton. though IL may result in the death
Of few Of the first patients, as is Of
ten the case with young practition-
ers.
But what causes the worms Is an:
other and more difficult question. At
present, we think the true inquiry Is,
what localities Hre infested, and what
free. For II Is evidently q local cause.
Nothing is moro apparent than that
some places..arc fatal to young chick
ems, while others are free from the
disease.
As we are writing more..to give the
result Of our own observation and in
quiry than for anything else. we will
not attempt to refute the theories that
have been given from time to time,
further than our observation contra
diets them.
BY one chicken raiser it's assumed
that an annual change Of ROSTERS will
prevent the gaps. To this we object
because We have seen the most fatal
prevalence in such yards. We know
two neighbors who have obtained
their eggs from the same place. yet
one Of them has lost nearly all the
young chickens and the other nome
It Is assumed by another, that the
mode of feeding is the cause and pre-
ventivc. To this We object, because
we know many persons who feed pre-
cisely alike with opposite results. An
entire change Of stock is recommend.
ed. This may be useful for other rea-
sons, but il Is a failure in many in
stances, so far as the gaps arc con.
cemed. One Of our friends is expert.
menting on the starving process. by
allowing them but halfrations, with
what success VIC do not know.
AS the result Of our inquiry, We
think we have discovered the following
facts: Chickens raised in or near the
woods, are not subject to the disease
Chickens that are raised around Q
new house. on spot lately cultivated
generally escape. Chickens that FIRE
quent barns and stables, are less OK
posed than those that are raised nea
the house, and in grassy door yard
If the house or barn or stable j
surrounded by grass. they suffer. l
the dwelling house has nota grass.
yard, there is but little danger. Il
short, so far rs we have extended GU
inquiries. we have found no case o
prevailing gaps. where the chickens ar
permitted 10 scratch and pdiio,c treel
IN plos0ed or cultivated ground or ZOOS
earth or ashes.
As this question is to come befor'
the next meeting Of our Agriculture
Society. we respectfully call the atten
ton Of farmers to it. Let us no
have theories, but facts. II any on
knows Of the prevalence of gaps among
chickens thus raised. let us know
For our own part. we are lucky. w
have no gaps. and we attribute it,
the fact that We allow our poultry b
make garden after their own taste.