Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1884-10-23
&e Aoulhy Nard
WORMS IN FOWLS.

In recent number of the London Live
Stock Journal appears an interesting artic lie
concerning worms in fowls. which we con-
dense as follows;
1t may be that some of our readers will
consider this strange subject for considera
ton. as probably few poultry fanciers ever
suspect the presence of worms in their fowls.
Yet they are very troublesome indeed-of
ten, IN tact, the cause other diseases. as well
as hndrance to the birds thriving as thew
otherwise would. When we state that no
less than sixteen kinds of parasites have
been found in the common fowl, it will at
once be seen that there is considerable
amount OF importance to be attached to the
question.
Although we know that worms are pres
ent, for they appear to exist as matter of
course in the intestines of all animals, their
cause is somewhat difficult TO ascertain.
Probably there are small parasites which
exist in the food unseen and unthopcht of.
and these remain in the ittestines after the
food has passed away, gradually growing
larger, and, perhaps, reproducing their spe
eles. 1t will thus be seen how necessary II
Is to have food OF a good quality, tree from
grubs or Weevils. Fowls eat, as a part of
their natural food, worms, slugs. and in
sectS; but these do not give any trouble. as
the organs of the birds are made to digest
them, and they are doubtless killed in the
process OF eating. We feel sure. if the dis
tinction could be traced. that the worms
which give the trouble are of different
kind, and mainly consist in those found in
food. We have always had yery strono
objection to meal or grain that is at all
"mitey'-that is, full of parasites; for these
are. probably, a great cause of worms in
fowls. Food of this kind must be used up:
and all tear OF harm can be prevented by
properly cooking itt as this will destroy the
parasites. Scalding with not water is not
sufficient, for that is not cooking On large
poultry establishments it will be found ad-
visabe to buy d portable boiler, and TO cook
the soft food every day. The first cost need
not be large, as these boilers can be pur-
chased very reasonably, The trouble nee
essary for the preparation of the food will
be more than compensated by the saving
effected. as it will be found that the meal
will go Hnch further when prepared in this
way than when merely scalded But the
prevention of harm by the destruction of
the parasites is enough to warrant the lrou-
BILE being taken 1t is best to boil well the
meal which is 'mitey'', making it into
soft crowdy or porridge-like mess, and then
stir in good meal until the whole is of that
friable nature which soft food should ALWAYS
be when given to poultry.
Besides the presence of worms in the food,
fowls undoubtedly get various form of par
asites from the earth. There are ground
parattes, found generally on crowded runs,
which do a great deal of harm. During the
present year there has been great amount
of mortality amongst chicks, and many of
these, on examination, have been found
with their crops and stomachs full of spe-
cies of ground insect. Thes probably have
existed in larger numbers this year than us
ual, consequent upon the mildness of last
winter, tor severe season apparently re
duces their numbers considerably.
1t is difficult to discover, when birds are
troubled with worms, what is the matter
with them. The chief, or perhaps the only
system noticeable is that they NOPE or hang
about. The safestindication of the prese nee
of worms is found in the droppings, for there
found sufficient proof of the state
of the intestines. The case is, happily, not
"a difficult one. So far as our experien ce