The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-08
Feather Eating in Fowls.

Fowls contract many pernicous habits
while kept in confinement with nothing to
do, chief Of which is the disagreeable one
Of plucking feathers from each other. This
acquired habit arises from idleness and
lack Of something better to do, but when
once established is difficult to eradicate We
may weed out as much as we will. there is
often one delinquent remaining that teaches
all the others. An expert at the business
leave the bare shafts bereft of AL web or
coloring, when not pucked ont entirely,
leaving the body bare, and yet the poor
hen pecked rooster will stand up, passive
victim, to be despoiled by his voracious
mates. A pin-ieather is never allowed to
remain on the bare skin. This trick, be-
lieye, is contracted in the first place more
generally among fowls that carry body ver-
min, and cocks are more apt to lose their
feathers than hens, from their very gallant
refusal to cross the females in their idle
whims. Pulling feathers is confined to no
one breed, and is often simultaneous with
egg eating. When fowls are confined, there
is lack OF occupation, and it is natural for
them to be occupied and active when in
health. When We consider the amount OF
running. scratching and exercise fowls in
dulge in when at large we must readily adj
init the fact that they require some employ
ment that will answer to this necessity since
itappears to be an actual requirement. The
habit that is formed ii: confinement stills
hangs to them when at large and cannot be
broken up SO long as victim is found will
ing to submit. 1t is first learned, believe,
while roosting in idleness in the winter sea-
son, by discovering the moving insects about
The head and ears of cocks, since it is there
the first commencement there is little diff
Guilty if the male be submissive. There is
sometimes found cock that will not allow
1t, but not very often. A speck Of blood on
the plumage is often the occasion Of begin
ming. Fowls are greedy after fresh blood,
and will always pluck the juicy pin feathers
from each others body for the sake of the
drop OF blood contained therein. At the
moulting season they are quiet and have
no vicious appetites to crafty. Our domes-
tic fowls are the filthiest of all birds, not ex-
cepting the crow, and enjoy the most filthy
diet possible 10 imagine, and yet what rare
tidblt the various dishes of fowl are for the
palate OF the epicure II Is for the lack OF an
opportunity to indulge in their natural hab-
its that leads into mischief. Generally egg
80 ~. L. 4. z
scratching the nests. This exertion is as
natural for the hen as it is for her to breathe.
In the action, if there be any eggs in the
nest, they become broken, and the hen feasts
thereon, and she is thus taught bad lesson.
Still another way is through the means of
soft-shell eggs. Where comparatively small
number CT fowls are coDgregated these tricks
DO not prevail to SO large an extent. For this |
reason, and others. it is better to confine the
chicks in small colonies. Young birds are
not SO bad as old ones. The writer has
thought the white Leghorns and black Span.
ish are the very worst at feather eating, but |
common sense teaches the error, since it is |
confined to no one breed, but some are verse |
euau OsHcie: anu theoo arc Ihe Iapiu layers, |
and uon.sitters. The great drain of egg
production creates a craving for other food |
than what reaches them in confinement.
Hence the habit is formed Of plucking any
thing within reach. But there are cases OF
downright mischief and nothing else, where
the bird has no need for such food. There is
no cure. although when the weather comes
warm and grass is plenty. they will abandon
1t Tor season, but are sure to remember it
the following season. Country Gentleman.
bright little fellow of four. the 90, ofa