The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-04-10
The Common Diseases Of Poultry and
Their Prevention.

The Common diseases OF FOulLry dnt
Their Prevention.
BY MI. Frederick III. Thayer, OF Bal
timore.
No doubt, the most common diseases
among poultry are White Diarrhea
Canker, Chicken Pox, Cholera, Gapes
Leg Weakness, Roups and Scaly Legs
Colds, Cankers, Catarrh, and RouI
predominant.
All OF these troubles are likely to
come from exposure to damp or colds
at seasons OF the year when the tenn
perature rises and falls quickly.
Fowls are just as likely to take colds
i'm July and August al in midwinter.
They are especially likely to take
cold on rainy days when obliged to
huddle around under some farm wag-
on or In leaky shed.
Many years of experience in both
Commercial and Fancy Poultry, to-
gether with the studying of many
treaties on Poultry Diseases has
taught the writer that the old saying
IAN ounce of prevention is worth a
pound OF cure" Is the best rule to
follow and the safest.
Preventive measures are the best
treatment for the Poultry troubles.
The fowls should be handled and
housed in such way that they will
contract al few diseases a. possible,
and the slightest ailment should be
treated before Id has a chance to gain
Roadway. This requires constant at
tention but 1t Is the only way to sue
cess.
Any ailment that will not yield read
lily to simple treatment il us
ually SO serious that even If the fowl
Is enabled to recover from ii, the
results will not be satisfactory, for
the vitality Of the fowl will be seri-
ously impaired.
The writer has always made It a
practice in later years to kill and
burn all birds which fail to respond
to simple treatment quickly.
we must make conditions favorable
for good health by starting with
strong, healthy parentage. Remember
the rule of nature, 'all conditions be-
ing equal, that like begets like" and
you cannot raise strong, healthy
chickens from weak, or unhealthy
parentage.
Having provided yourself with
strong, vigorous stock from which to
breed, and by using good, common
sense; the man who continually
strives for the best constitutional
vigor, will have the best average pro-
duction In the long run.
To maintain the good health, and
vigor of our flock, we must provide
them with a good, clean, practical
house, of the open front type, where
they can be surrounded day and
night by an abundance of fresh air,
and yet, be out OF the storm.
"a house with three tight North,
East and Vest sides, and a good
roof II an ideal protection for the
layers and breeders. The shape Of
the house makes no difference what
ever, but the location of it is or the
utmost Importance. The best loca-
ton IL on high ground with good
drainage away from all sides of the
house, and should be a little East Oh
South "a sailor would call it "Sou
Sou East'), which allows the sun to
shine into the building very early
winter mornings before the birds
have had exercise enough to start
their blood to circulating freely
Provide the house with a good dirt
floor. "a cement floor covered with
four inches of light, sandy soil, makes
an ideal floor. This should be covered
deeply with some good scratching
material, to compel your hens 70
work and dig for all hard grains.
This exercising continuously in a
house provided with plenty or pure,
fresh air, no matter how cold, pro-
notes health and vigor.
Keep oyster-shell, grit and good
dry mash food before them at all
times.
Provide plenty Of pure, fresh water
in clean. sanitary vessels, at least
twice day, and always warm in
winter. Noon time is a good time to
give the flock a liberal amount of
green food, such as Cow Beets, Tur-
nips, Cabbage, Sprouted Oats, or
Steamed Alfalfa. These may be alter
mated from day to day.
About two hours before roosting,
give them full feed and little
more OF good scratching grain. The
hens will dig until dark, and 60 to
roost with full craws.
by giving them little more than
a full feed, some of the grains will
be left in the litter for them to work
as soon as daylight appears. Very
cold winter nights, 1t Is a good plan
to 90 out just at roosting time, and
place whole corn in trough, allow
ing the birds to eat their fill; but be
sure and remove all corn left over.
TO feed properly, one must know the
condition of his flock, and their re-
quirements.
Disinfect the house frequently.
Keep it and the birds free from lice
and colds. "a constant watch must
be kept for parasites because from
the moment chicks come from the
shell. they are menaced by insect
vermin.
The most practical way OF meeting
the problem, is to continually prac-
tice preventive measures by liberal
use Of liquid lice killers, and disin-
fectants well sprayed about the
Poultry House. This il especially
necessary in hot weather. By follow
ing the above, you will not be bother
cd with diseases.
Our next article will be On the de-
lection and cure Of some of the dis
eases common to poultry.
liz our readers will address Mr. IL.
il. Thayer at Pratt and Light Sts.,
Baltimore, Nd, all questions pertain
ing to poultry will be cheerfully ans
wered.
WEST FALLS.
Micc Edna popDatt ~ CyIyae .y;lIa