The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-23

nnaneial loss sustained annually by raisers of poultry through the inroads of disease. That the sum is tre- mendous one is recognized by all who are in position to know. Fortunately, most of these diseases may be preva0t- ed by following a few common sense rules, as outlined by Professor stone ls burn in the contribution which follows. Y Every earnest poultryman will find much of value to this practical advice. By PROF. F. H. sToNEBURN From the volume of correspondence which reaches the writer asking for l information relative to poultry dis eases. their prevention and treatment, 1t is evident that great many Of the regular readers of this series of. ar ticles are particularly interested in this subject The reason is not hard to find. In the majority of cases the poultry flock, whether on the farm or 4 in the back yard, is regarded as an asset. It is expected to add to the fam fly resources. either in the way of cash receipts from the sale of the pro ducts or from the use on the home table of the products themselves. When the fowls are ailing or die from any cause this income is checked. and the owner, no matter how negligent he may have been in the past, immediately seeks help to enable him to overcome the trouble.
 Most Diseases Due to Neglect I have often been called to poultry | faims to investigate epdemics of dis ease in the flocSs where sanitary con Y ditions were so bad and the birds so entirely neglected that it at once be- came evident that, primarily, the man ager and not the plant needed a thor ou.h going over" It is true that dis cases will sometimes appear in the poultry yard in spite of ones best eff forts It is equally true that most troubles can be prevented or avoided if proper precautions are observed. And thero can be no argument on this point
 -if Is cheaper to prevent disease than to cure it. The following remarks have to do primarily with this latter phase of the question.
 Between the state of abounding health and serious sickness there IS a wide gap. There are degrees of lll- ness. In some cases the trouble Is so slight as to be unobserved by none save the most experienced; in others, il is plain to all. But the results are reflected in the lessening or total stop i ping of egg production or growth, and this, in turn, means partial or total loss of profit or actual expense Considering the subject broadly, the poultryman who neglects to keep his flock in such physical shape as to se- cure the greatest efficiency under the conditions maintaining on his plant Is a loser. He may make profit, but this is smaller than he otherwise would secure, and just to this extent he falls short of securing the income Which ne might otherwise have.
 As pointed out in a previous contri- button to this series, maximum produc- ton does not necessarily mean maxi mum profits. The items of expenslVe feed and labor enter into the matter. But 4 whatever the methods used this gen N eral principle applies-vigorous stock will pay better than that which is in poor condition
 Mortality in the flock may be due to several distinct causes. Among them We might mention poultry enenies V. various kinds, as hawks, skunks' dogs and accidents exposure to extremes or heat and cold. These operate indepehu- ently of the condition of the piros' anu the careful poultry keeper VIII an'lc- ipate such troubles and, so Tar as pos- sible, prevent them
 p,,, the ereatest toll is taken by disease and the best way to prevent the inroads of disease is to keep the birds m u s'a'e of vigorous health. having hlgn oeeree of vital resistance through which they are enable to throw off most physical HIS.
 
 ing. care in rearing, care in management A weak link in the chain may spoil IL all
 Health and Strength Inherited f Health and vigor are inherited Just as Y surely as are weakness and the tenoehcy toward disease. This indicates the use as breeding stock of ony such pirds as have always been strong and well. Those active specjmens with clear eyes, straight, stout shanks, straight backs and breasts, sto,t curved hills. The crow-headed. lace knock -kneed, dull-eyed, anemic, nstiess birds may have perfect combs and beau t;ful nlumage but they make mighty poor breeders.
 perfect health may be offset by errors in incubating and breeding In this con nection we wish to repeat ana stronsiy emphasize the necessity of rigid culling during the entire period of growth. The weak, siclsly, slow growing chicks should re killed when observed. or at least plain ly marked. so they will surely go to ! the market when they reach sufficient size Such a procedure gives one the pick of the flock, the physically perfect. to use as future producers and breeders. From these only can consistently good re- suits be expected.
 Managing the Flock
 Coming to flock management, we find cleanliness to be the key to the situation. The necessity of keeping the plant in san- itary condition IS well stated by pr. Brigham. In his popular textbook on poultry husbandry. he says, "The actual cause of developing disease is a germ in each case. Before the seeds of sick ness will sprout. the soir must be in condition favorable to development and growth of the seeds The most favor able and inviting conditions for the de- velopment of disease are unceanliness { and the presence of parasites" Does this not indicate the wisdom of eradicatlng the favorable seed-beds. of keeping everything in sanitary condition? Clean birds inside and out, clean food, clean water, clean houses and clean runs. Of course, cleanliness on the poultry plant is relative It does not indicate the cleanliness which we demand in our own homes But it is far removed from the filthiness which is too often observed on many poultry farms.
 Parasites, both external and internal, sap strength and vitality. Get rid of E them The use of powder and liquid lice killers will down the lice and mites. Tur- ' pentine and olive oil, mixed in equal quan- titles and given in small doses, will kill { the intestinal worms The treatment should be followed by good purgative, as epson salts or castor oil.
 $ The water supply should be protected { from contamination, as much disease is spread through the medium of the drink ! ing water.
 A- C. H. &.-