Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-25

Orono. Me-. Nov. 23-(Special)-The
following Extension News Letter No.
20 in the Poultry Campaign Series No.
IL is published by the University of
Maine. College Of Agriculture, Extern
sion Service. Leon S. Merrill director
and distributed in furtherance OF the
purposes of the cooperative extension
work in agriculture and home econ
omics, provided for in the act of Con-
gress of May 8. 1914:
/ Every flock of poultry Is liable to an
outbreak of disease. 1t may be an
epidemic of an infectious nature
which causes considerable loss to the
flock. or 1t may affect but few in
dividuals which If promptly isolated
and properly handled will not prove
serious menace. In either case, the
sooner the affliction is discovered the
more successfully can it be treated;
consequently a poultryman should al
ways watch the condition of his fowl
4 Prevention rather than cure is the
goal to be sought. The elementary
principles involved in maintaining a
flock in healthy condition are % Con-
stitutiona1 vigor of the stock, CO
scrupulous sanitation, and (3) careful
oversight of environmental conditions
and detention of the first sign of
trouble.
Because Of the relative low value Of
the individual fowl and the constant
menace of the "cured" one, it is gem
orally agreed among poultrymen that
the safest and cheapest treatment for
a sick hen is-the Ratchet and fire.
Robinson has well said, LAS long as a
man doctors fowls, he has fowls to
DOCTOR There are, however, some
exceptions such as "crop-bound" hens
which can readily be relieved. and a
few of the more valuable show birds
may be worthy of individual treat
ment. In any case, however, they
should be promptly isolated from the
flock.
AS rule then the basic principle of
poultry doctoring is: Treat a whole
flock when the disease is not infec-
tious and the treatment can be adj
ministered conveniently with reason
able acceptation of beneficial results;
treat individuals if necessary, when
treatment is simple, easy, and needs
administering but few times.
Post-mortem Examinations.
Although many diseases which oc-
cur in poultry cannot be distin-
guished by general symptoms of the
sick bird, most of them have such a
marked effect upon internal organs
that an autopsy will show definitely the
ailment. For this reason it is wise for
every poultryman to examine, post
norton, any bird which dies from a
cause unknown to him. Indeed, it is a
profitable practice when a flock is af-
fected by an unknown malady to kill a
few of the ailing birds and in this way
determine the trouble in order that in
telligent action, may be taken in hand
ling the remainder of the flock.
The most convenient method of per-
forming an autopsy is to lay the bird
back down on a board and fix it there
with nail through each wing and
foot Then with scissors or knife slit
the skin from throat to vent and
spread it apart Next cut the ribs on
either side and tear the flesh across
the abdomen. This will allow the en-
tire breast-piece to be lifted up, ex-
posing the vscera. Then sys-
tematic examination should be given
the digestive and reproductive systems
| in an effort to locate the trouble. Once
familiar with the normal appearance
of the organs of a bird in health 1T is
an easy matter for a poultryman to
detect diseased conditions and to draw
from them pretty accurate conclusions
as to the nature of the malady and
how it should be counteracted.
Common Remedies.
AS suggested earlier in this article
our aim should be to prevent rather
than to cure. However, when treat
ment is necessary the following
philosophy of good doctering should be
EMPLOYED. Clean out the birds sys-
TEN, as well as the coop in which it is
ouartered, feed sparinsly and, If ne
cessary. give a tonic to tone up the
body.
EPSON salts is splendid remedy for
many disorders One teaspoonful is
purging dose for mature fowl. 1t Is
effective when dissolved in water with
which a wet mash is mixed, especially
| if food is withheld for a Few hours
previous In cases of individual birds,
the solution may be poured down their
outlets. For flock treatment eleven
ounces will suffice for one hundred