Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-16
INJURIOUS Habits
and Vices of
Chickens
BY r. 3. BUSTING.

-....s is one of the most costly and
..'.,,Iaeone of the acquired habits of
.,Trry l find that it generally begins
tre accidental breaking Of an egg in
nest. and spreads rapidly among the
. until many of the eggs laid are
,,.-r..selv broken and eaten by the hens.
T,s,.,- birds are more likely to contract
civ. habit because they are more liable
w., break their eggs by stepping on them
hon lighter birds When hen breaks
r ,g.r she not only eats its contents in
ra nest, but often carries large pieces
The shell about the house or yard,
+-rrfng with other birds, all eager to get
mare Thus, the knowledge of how APP
Ia+fzfre eggs and egg shells are is spread,
and one bird becomes the teacher of
aner Thin shells break more easily
r3 If is therefore obvious that a de-
f.iercv in the shell making constituents
- tho feed is a factor. However, an egg
--,. Inc broken for the want of enough
..rav. mr. nesting material to protect 1t
EVAN, the contact with wood or stone.
.,,rnl, the nest with sufficient straw,
,r1 rse some kind of artificial nest egg.
rl,a straw in the nest should be OF
s.ry color. so that a broken egg may not
attract the hens attention. However,
f+ra habit is acquired, 1t IS best to have
tbe nests reconstructed so that the eggs
will roll beyond the reach Of the hen
when laid. Also by the use of artificial
,scs In the nest and houses permit the
hons To pick at them and get the idea
that they are unable to break the shells.
Sometimes, however, they will become
.,rfrmed egg eaters. In such cases
find il best to remove them from the flock
and either kill them for table use or sell
them.
Feather Pulling and Feather Eating.
z have seen fowls acquire the habit of
extracting and eating their own feathers
or milling the feathers of other members
of the yard. Spring and melting time
,sv,r the contracting of this vice. In
rfearions Of it's existence are loss Of
rumage. barrenness and redness of the
skin over the back and on the upper thigh
ON watching the birds you will discover
hem IN act of catching one or more
feathers in their beaks, tearing them out
and swallowing them. The young grow
ing feathers having quilts filled with blood
seem to be delicacies.
Cause: Improper ration, insufficient
exercise, idleness, irritation Of the skin
caused by parasites, or anything causing
an abnormal appetite may become con
tributive factor in the contracting Of this
vice
Preventive and curative measures: Give
the fowls a free range, or if they are
penned, give them good roomy yards
make them scratch for a large per cent
If their feed This will aid their diges-
ZION and occupy their time. Very often
the habit is due to insufficient animal
matter in their ration, or to feeding too
,ong on a single grain ration. 1t is, there
fore, very important to properly balance
the ration Examine the skin and feath-
ors carefully for mites or lice, and If such
are found, or if not found, give them fire.
uuent applications of some good insect
powder keep he house whitewashed in
side and out ..-~ kerosene frequently on
Tie rOoSts and al 80 that lice might
breed. also keep a So, IF road dust
OPP coal cinders where they 7zr wailow
If, and the lice can be kept unGer con-
troll However, If the habit is acquired
and they can not be cured of it, 1t is
hest To treat as suggested above for the
sUtrncd egg eaters,