The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-11-04
CHICKEN CHOLERA.

Chlcken cholera is contaQl0 0us, IN
fictitious and malignant disease of
poultry and barnyard fowls, affecting
any or all of the organs of the diges-
tive apparatus, and due to a certain
bacillus, or fungus, which the birds
receive either in their food or from
the droppings of other affected fowls.
The disease seems to affect all fowls.
Some suffer more severely than others,
but it may safely be said that none
are immune. Probably chickens are
the most readily affected, and the dis
ease runs in them a severe course.
The higher bred birds, which are the
Minoreas, Light Brahmas, Barred
Plymouth Rocks and the Wyandottes,
succumb most readily. A serious mis-
take of chicken fanciers is in in
breeding their stock too closely. The
practice produces birds which will
contract any disease or ailment to
which poultry are heirs.
The causes of chicken cholera are
predisposing, or are active. The pre-
disposing causes may be said to be ex.
posure to the disease, close breeding,
confinement in unheathful houses,
roup, continued diet of unspecified
food, and lack of exercise. While
the predisposing causes do not of
themselves introduce the cholera
germ into the system, they render the
fowl SO susceptible that it is ready to
receive and to assimilate any poison.
The active cause of chicken cholera
is the introduction of the germ into
the system. Tho period of incubation,
however, varies considerably. The
common fowl will keep perfectly we'll
long time. while the beautiful Min
orca or the Langshan will succumb in
few days. Once established, the dis
ease runs a rapid course.
Chicken cholera is most common in
southern countries, particularly where
there is rainy season, TIE fowls are
continually penned up, they get little
or no exercise, and their food becomes
damp and musty. In winter, in cold
climates, when the poultry is housed
during snow storm, their food should
be buried so that they will get suffi-
cient exercise by scratching for it, and
it should be scattered about in clean
hay or straw. With the first symptom
of cholera the chicken steals of by
itself, or remains in the hennery after
the other chickens have gone out. II
will try to isolate itself completely. II
food be brought to it it will eat, but it
will not mingle with the flock. The
birds eyes grow dull and listless the
comb has a dull, purplish tinge, gradu-
ally becoming gray. The plumage is
dull and ruffled. If the fowl be lifted,
it is startling to note its lIghtness.
On the second or third day diarrhea
begins, which gradually becomes gray
in color. 1t is singular fact that a
hen affected with cholera is invariably
covered with lice. Some writer's de,
clare that chicken cholera is only @
combination of lice and Indigestion.
The vermin are doubtless a means
of spreading the contagion, and, a:
the fowl has not the strength to resist
them, they make a combined attack OF
the sick bird.
The disease will run for three OF
four days before the relief of death
In some cases, the diarrhea will abatt
at the end OF the second day, and the
bird will be on the high road to re
covery; but not until it is PRACTICAL,
well, will it rejoin the flock. Thel
again, the disease may come on NOR,
quickly and be more violent. During
an outbreak of cholera it is not un
common to see the entire flock per
fectly we'll in the morning, and a
least one-fourth OF the number deat
by night.
The treatment of chicken cholerj
must be preventive rather than cura
tive. AS soon as a sick bird is discov
cred it must be removed from tn
Aock; or, better still, the health
birds should be removed. The chol
era germs are likely to be eveTywher
in til ;cken house, and insects ar
the most common carriers. When Tia
flock has been removed, examine tn
food carefully, and feed only wha
you are sure is the best quality. Ad
five drops of cresote, or carbollo acid
to one quart of boiled water, and d
net allow the poultry to drink froI
anything but strictly clean tin, o
porcelain vessel. Disinfect the hen
, merry and tie roosts.
The diseased poultry should b
placed in houses that are clean, dr.
3 light and are free from draughti
! Cholera is unknown where chicken
, have the best hygienic surrounding
! A small bit OF pine tar placed unde
the birds wings will drive of the il
sects. Give the birds nothing but th
Z creosote water to drink and boile
+ meal aud crushed wheat as food.
little crushed onion. or aslfoetidl
| that is boiled with the iheal aud whea
J will make the food even more soothiu
Q to the Initiated bowels. Poultry Far
o cier.
y A comparison Of the steel produ
. tion for the year 1895 can now I