The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-05-26

titled Tuberculosis Of Poultry" which
is for free distribution. This spring
there has been issued a poster which
10 being distributed over the state. The
poster urges poultry,nen and farmers
to rid their flOcks Of tuberculosis.
Avian tuberculosis is primarily dis
ease of chickens, although turkeys,
ducks and geese, a. well as other do
nestle fowls. may become affected.
Pigeons and sparrows which have FREQ
access to yards where there are tuber-
cular chickens, often become infected.
The disease is caused by variety Of
the same organism which causes tu-
berculOsis in man. There 10 no defin-
lite proof either to prove or disprove
that human beings may become infect
ed from tubercular chickens.
Old Birds Affected
The older birds in flock first show
symptoms Of tuberculosis. The disease
is slow and insidious in its progress.
When first discovered many fowls in
the flock may he infected. Birds fire.
quently become lame, weak and very
thin. An average LeghOrn hen which
should weigh three pounds will weigh
hardly one pound when badly diseased.
There may or may not be diarrhOea,
and the comb and wattles usually are
pale. The diseased bird will be
"droopy" and easily jostled about and
upset by other birds. Affected hens
will stay on the roosts until noon,
sometimes all day. The length Of time
chat fowl will live after becoming In
fected is not definitely known. but
probably averages about ten months.
Young birds seldom die, the loss being
| heaviest among fowls more than one
year old
In most cases the liver is all that II
needed tor diagnosis of the disease.
In diseased fowl, this organ is en-.
larged. sometimes three or four times
its normal size. and is spotted over
the surface with yellowish-white areas,
varying in size from q mere point to
the size OF pea. These spots arc
rounded nodules. quite hard and dis
tinct from liver tissue. Nodules also
form on the wallis of the intestines.
The tuberculin test, applied to hogs
and cattle. can also he used with poul-
try hut with doubtful practicabillty.
The expense would be far greater than
the value Of the birds.
In its recent circular the Montana
experiment station offers two means
of Kidding the place of tuberculaF
poultry.
First: birds of the entire flock may
he killed and dressed. Those found
to be healthy may be used or sold.
The poultry house and yard then may
he cleaned and restOcked with healthy
hens.
Or. second: the old flock may be
fenced in and young and healthy
flock started outside. OF the old
flock, the healthy birds may be used
for meat. Their eggs also may be used
for Matching. or for the table, as the
disease is not transmitted to the egg,
In the fall. after the old flock has been
cleaned up. the house and yard may
he cleaned and the new flock move.,
in.
Some poultry breeders who have
built up special strains and have made
a reputation In their breeding, will
hesitate when told that old birds that
are infected should all be killed off,
1t is pointed out that eggs from even
these infected birds may be used fos
Matching, as the disease Is not trans.
mitted to the chick. Since infected
birds will eventually die Of the disease,
and are 4 source Of infection while
they live. 1t generally 10 cheaper t.
clean out the old flock 1t once and
start with young and healthy birds.
The experiment station circular re.
ferred to gives detailed instruction,
eeacering the sfadicatioa e tuber
'e0loois from tie Deck