Milford chronicle., 1914-10-16


Poultry Doctor is not profession
it is a mistake. There is no need 70
medical science in the poultry yard
Good methods and good common sens'
are better medicines than drugs, rs
general rule. When remedies are re
stored to, let them be the plain simple
everyday ones which are common t
every household.
Naturally, poultry are hardy, very
/ hardy, but they must not be neglected
1t is the neglect that causes the many
ills to which fowls fall prey
We would, therefore, rather talk oi
prevention than cure. In fact, il ought
to be the duty of the poultry doctor
to know more how to avoid sickness than
how to cure it.
COntagion is one of the worst condi
tons with which We have to battle and
for this, there is one sovereign remedy
and it will be found alike effective in all
cases. 1t is a good, sharp hatchet, we'll
applied The man who ltries to doctor
contagion in any form is heapiDg up for
himself much trouble, which in the end
will only result in failure.
There is, however, a way to prevent
sickness ana disease among the chicks
fhe most effective way to eliminate dis
ease from a flock Of birds is to begin with
the parent stock. Use nothing for breed
ers but strong, vigorous and rugged birds
in the breeding pens in order to obtain
foundation for the future stock
Medical opinions are a unit that good,
healthy, robust children cannot be born
of parents who are unhealthy themselves.
Consumptive parents beget consumptive
children. This is just as true of the
feathered tribe. Unhealthy or inbred
birds will throw unhealthy chicks.
II is difficult enough to keep the chicks
healthy when they are the progeny of
healthy parent stock. And taking for
granted that the birds used as breeders
are all that could be desired as a ground
work for building up a good strain, it re-
mains for Us to give the youngsters prop
er care if We expect to keep them in a
good healthy condition.
Proper care of the birds means a strict
adheIance to all OF the necessary essen
tials for good health; namely, pure air,
sunshine, clean, fresh water, eradication
OF lice, feeding, housing, exercise, dust
bath and general comfort of the fowl
All of these are absolutely and posi-
lively necessary to keep the fowls in a
comfortable, happy state.
II the above named essentials are
strictly adhered to in connection with
the parent or breeding stock from the
time of their infancy, and good robust,
vigorous males mated to the hens, the
progeny will staLd fair chance for life
provided they are given the care and
attention necessary for their health and
comfort.
1t matters not how good the ground
work il We are going to allow the chicks
to get along as best they can without
some effort on our part. They will not
amount to row Of pins If we fail in our
attentions to them. Indeed it is hard
enough 10 raise the youngsters TO matur
lty when they have been given our best
efforts and we are not sure that they
will attain their majority until they have
actually done so This is true under the
best conditions; so think what poor
chance chicks have to live when they are
the progeny OF Door, unhealthy, inbred
parents
Prevention Of disease is far hetter than
4 cure when once it develops. And lf
he essentials are carefully considered |
and carried ont. one half of the battle Of |
rearing the chicks will have been over
,ome and the poultry doctor will be |
made TO take back seat for want of |
practice.
Poultry of all ages require pure, fresh |
air, both day and night, but this does .
lot mean that they should be subjected |
20 drafts. Weak constitutions and
yeneral breakdown in health is very
)ften due to the fact that the fowls are
iept in close, tight fitting coops where
hey are made to sweat at night; or this
condition may be brought about by
,ver crowding. Never attempt to house
ilty or even thirty birds in a house that
las been built to accommodate twenty.
i've. When the growing stock is housed
n this manner, don't be surprised if
'our hocks contains an overabundance
# runts or stunted birds.
The lack Of sunshine and fresh water.
he proper feeding and keeping fowls ex-
'rcising are equally as important to their
iealth as are the other essentials. The
allure on your part to provide them
means unhealthy stock and consequently
allure in the business
To dose up the fowls with lot OF
OF which you know nothing
their value, Especially the
moment the bird begins to look out Of
iondition) is mistaken idea, and as a
.eneral rule, brings on sickness. When
me OF your fowls appears as though it
we're out of condition, look after the sur.
If the housing is correct, then look to
he other essentials; and if it is found
hat any of them are being neglected,
orrect the trouble at once and then
watch the bird. The chances are it will
ONE around alright. Above all things,
eep the houses, yards or runs free from
lth. This is more often the cause for
oultry trouble than any other one thing.
Iothing can thrive and keep healthy in
lth-not even chickens.
Attend to the details as stated herein
nd you can thus become your own
oultry doctor; for after all, the real
uties of such an individual are rather
} prevent disease than to cure it. OF
purse there are times when a bird de.
slopes an ailment that is possibly not
ne to the neglect of any Of the essen
ais In this case it is alright to admin. {
ter medicines, and if you do not know /
hat to do, then consult someone who '
YES, or write the Poultry Editor Of this 9
Ige. In all cases, however, it is far bet .