South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-26

disease known as white DldTIuotd.
From this cause alone the financial
loss is so great that il has crippled
many chances for success in the
poultry industry.
For many years scientific poultry
husbandmen have been studying the
cause OF this trouble IN chicks. and
have arrived at various conclusions.
but they all agree that 1t IS a very
destructive condition 20 which baby
chicks are susceptible and, where it
becomes prevalent, il is very difficult
TO eradicate.
Many obervers are firm in their
belief that white Diarrhoea is trans
mitted from a hen which has pre-
viously had the disease and that the
germs. lurking in her system until
The laying period, are transmitted
by the eggs. BY this theory the
chick is Matched with the disease,
and must be put under treatment
hmm ediately IL fatal results are 20
be prevented. other authorities con-
tend that the disease is a result Of
debility in the breeding stock; i'm
proper care OF eggs intended for
Matching; improper methods of in
cubating or brooding: chilling, over
heating, or improper feeding meth
DDS; insanitary, poorly ventilated
and filthy quarters: musty or sour
feed and many other causes of like
nature.
From the standpoint OF a practi-
cal poultry man il is freely admitted
that ii is possible that chicks may
be adversely affected by any or all
of these conditions and, as a result.
may exhibit symptoms OF white
diarrhoea in various stages OF in
tensity Any of the above conditions
may so weaken or so debilitate the
chicks that they cannot successfully
Withstand the Infection of germs
which would lead to a condition of
diarrhoea.
Disease is Being Eradicated.
II IL some satisfaction TO know the
cause of a disease and the manner
In which IL Is transmitted, but after
all what the poultry man most de-
sires is instruction as TO ways and
means for it's recognition. proven
ton and cure.
From the fact that the disease
has not spread throughout the coun-
try, and that 1t is being stamped out
on most farms. 10 a great extent, in
dicates that IL is possible 10 guard
against II.
Where the disease is transmitted
through the female II is very diff
cult 10 stamp out on account Of the
uncertainty OF detecting the partic-
ular hen which is affected. Where
the disease IS traced to any of the
other causes mentioned above il is
a matter which is in the hands of
the operator.
Low vitality OF the breeding stock,
incorrect methods OF incubating aid
brooding have more to do with the
prevalence of diarrhoea in chicks
than any other factor, and if these
conditions are corrected il only re-
quires intelligent treatment to get
rid OF the white plague" of chick
dom.
Chicks affected with white diar-
rhoea exhibit several characteristic
symptoms, but no one individual
need necessarily exhibit all of them.
The group OF symptoms are mani
fest in a flock and each may be rec
ognized in different individuals dur
ing the course OF the disease.
Early Symptoms of the Trouble.
The first deaths may occur before
the hen is taken from her nest. the
chicks removed from the incubator
or very shortly thereafter. At this
time there are no manifestations OF
the disease nor its symptoms, and
death is usually attributed to lack OF
vitality. The first symptoms to be
observed Is a condition of weakness
the affected chicks become listless
and huddle together. They seem tc
be chilly, and do not come from
beneath the hen or the hover The
hover may be heated above normal
temperature. but still the poor list
less chicks crowd in an apparent eff
fort 10 keep warm. They make little
or no attempt to eat, the wings
,iroop and the feathers are ruffied.
AS the disease progresses the eyes
are closed the greater part OF the
time and the little sufferers soon
reach a point where they become in
different 20 everything that goes OF
about them. They emit a plaintive
peer, a chirp or shrill twitter. As
he condition further progresses the
peep becomes weaker until il is a
mere gasp. There may be labored
breathing and trembling before col
lapse. Death may occur at any time
during the course OF the disease. de-
pending considerably upon the
cause. but the greatest mortality
usually occurs between the fifth aid
twentieth day. Practically all or the
deaths occur while the chicks are
under one month OF age.
The general appearance OF the
,hick Is one OF shrinking OF the
carcass. The body is bumped the