The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-28
Chicken or Fowl Cholera.


A few years ago inquiries about
chicken cholera" came only from the
southern and western states. OF late,
we have had them from the eastern
states, including New England. When
domestic animals die off suddenly, by
rapidly fated disease, it is the Gus
tomto call it cholera" This was the
case with the so-called hog cholera,
which has been shown to be a compli-
cation of diseases, readily traceable to
neglect and bad management. From
what we have heard of chicken chol-
era, 1t appears to be a protest against
improper feeding aud housing, rather
than well defined disease, such as roup.
etc. Fowls are often in poor condi-
ton on account of the vermin they are
obliged to support, or they may be in
impaired health from continuous
feeding on corn alone. When in this
weakened state, a sudden change in
the weather may induce diarThpa.
or cold, which attacks the flock so
generally that the disease appears to
he epidemic. And being generally
and rapidly fatal, it is called cholera"
and the owner of such flock at once
writes us for remedy for chicken
cholera" y recent letter, from a
friend In Massachusetts, is the type of
many Others received of late. This
informed us that some of the fowls
would leave the rest of the flock, 90
OFF and NOPE by themselves, refuse to
eat, and, as a general thing, those so
affected soon died. The writer as
sumed this to be cholera. Our reply
was essentially as follows: Sep
arate at once the sick birds from the
well. If the poultry house has
not recently been put in order. remove
all the fowls until can be fumigated
by burning sulphur, and then white
washed In every part of the interior
with llme-waSh, to each pailful Of
which hall pound of crude carbolic
acid has been added. Mix some
lard and kerosene, and with rag, or
swab, rub all the roosts. Throw out
all the old straw from the nest boxes,
and grease with the kerosene the in
side of these. Renew the dust boxes,
using fine road dust, or finely-sitted
coal ashes, mixing some flowers of
sulpher with the dust. Empty and
thoroughly wash the water vessels, or
drinking fountains. When the fowls
are returned to the house, alter their
feed. Corn, which is oft N the only
food, should be given Luz once a day,
and preferably at night. Give boiled
potatoes and meal mashed together;
wheat screenings, and an occasional
feed OF oats, barley, or rye. Above
adj, have fresh vegetables. Cabbages
which have been boiled, or cabbage
stumps, should be placed where the
birds can help themselves; if these are
not at hand, give the outer leaves of
good cabDages, rutabagas, mangleS or
other roots, not forgetting fresh scraps
from the kitchen. Lastly, add some
preparations of iron to the drinking
water. This may be the tincture OF
the chloride of iron, always kept at
the drug stores, but an equally use
full, and much cheaper form of iron,
is that known in England as Doug
las Mixture" Place in a stone Jug,
one gallon of water, add four ounces
OF sulphate OF iron (copperas), and half
an ounce of sulphurIc acid (oil OF
vItrloD. When the sulphate of iron is
dissolved, the mixture is ready for
use. A teaspoOnful of this is to be
added to each pint of the drinking
water. The tincture of chloride OF
iron, mentioned because it may be
had at once, may he added to the
water in sufficient quantity to
give it a distinct taste. AS to the
sickly fowls, keep them apart, giving
warmer quarters in cold weather.
Furnish a variety of food, including
warm mashed potatoes, with dash oil
cayenne pepper, and also iron in the
water. Some have advised doses OF
calomel, or blue pill, but we doubt if
anything beyond good nursing and
the changes of diet we have advised
will be of much service.-American
Agricultural.