The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-25

this manner, especially in view of the
fact that the youngsters are particu-
larly susceptible thus early in life
Now, it is a simple matter to darken
the incubator at Matching time by COW
ering the glass in front with cardboard
or thick cloth. This effectually pre-
vents the chocks from picking up the
droppings and pieces of shell which may
carry the organism, and, further. it
keeps them quiet. gaining strength for
the battle of life. They may be safely
held in the machine for 36 to As hours
thus being fully protected during the
| time of greatest danger
Breeders should be disinfected with
greatest care before each new batch OF
chcicks is placed in them. They should
, be deeply bedded with some fine, absor-
bent litter, which will quickly cover up
all droppings. In addition, every pre-
ca ution should be taken to prevent con-
tamination of the food and water sup
ply.
If this plan is followed few days,
the chance of a slight infection devel-
oping into a general epidemic will be
greatly reduced.
The chick grower will do we'll to
constantly bear in mind the fact that
the chicks which survive the disease
arc the means of it's perpetuation, and
rigidly Gull out every suspicious indi-
vidual no matter how fine it may ap-
pear after reaching full development.
This culling process should begin right
at the incubator, and be persisted in
during the entire period of growth. 1t
is not necessary that the rejected chick $
be killed at once, but they should be
plainly and permanently marked, SO
that none will ever find a place in the
breeding flock
Every chick which at any time gives
evidence of sickness or weakness, that
fail to develop and feather normally,
should be deemed unworthy and dis
carded. Weak breeders perpetuate their
kind, and one usually gets enough poor
chicks without deliberately using in
ferior breeding stock.
There is an honest difference of opin-
ion existing among poultrymen as to
tho advisability of treating chicks in
which the disease has developed. A
number of white diarrhoea remedies have
appeared recently. and some of these
seem to be giving quite general sat
issaction. Therefore, it would be un-
fair to make a broad statement to the
effect that treatment Is useless. How
ever, one will do well to market the
chicks which survive, regardless of
hcw completely they seem to have been
cured.
Sour Milk Very Valuable
One very simple remedy, which is
readily available everywhere, will GER
toinly check the inroads of the dis
ease to an appreciavble extent This
Is sour milk. Bacterium pollorum is
destroyed by a weak solution of acid,
and sour milk carries quite proportion
OF Tactic acid. II the chicks are given
sour milk at the first feeding, this
acid will check the activities OF the or
ganism in the intestinal tract Just
what the effect will be in cases where
the organism has actually entered the
circulation cannot be stated.
AS a matter of fact, sour milk is a
splendid food for growing chicks and
can profitable be used whether white
diarrhea Infection is feared or not. It
seems to be great aid in keeping the
youngsters in perfect health and induc-
Ing rapid growth.
The above suggestions are practical
and effective, and they are not difficult
to. apply 1t is none too early to per-
feet plans to stamp out white diar-
rhea-the white plague of chickendom
If 1t is present on the plant, or to re-
pei any threatened in vasion. This
may mean work, but it will pay big
dividends on the time invested Chicks
are the foundation of future profits.
Don't merely hatch them. Grow them
White diarrhea is perhaps the worst
enemy, but 1t, like the Others may be
overcome by persistent work.