Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-02-02

an efficient remedy is at hand. Pre-
vention in most cases is not difficult
nor costly, and pays big dividends.
The poultry flock is subject 20
number of diseases, some Of Which
spread rapidly and cause big sses.
The birds may also be infested with
various parasites, some of whict live
on the surface of the body and H:hers
in the various parts of the inssriOr.
Such parasites, whether they are out
side or inside workers, are injrStous
because they take a part Of the
nOurishment which should be usad to
put on flesh or to produce eggs and
also because of irritation anG in
flammation of the parts they attack.
The contagious diseases caused by
germs and the weakness and LOIS of
flesh caused by the larger parasites
are the most important conditions
which the poultryman must consider in
order to keep his birds in health. These
germs and parasites can be kept Gown
ny SulluDlt lICdSulCos itilu
the aim of study Of the diseases
should be to learn prevention rather
than cure. Medicines may be given ad-
vantageously at times but as rule, as
has been suggested, it is better to kill
the sufferer. There is another reason
not yet mentioned that makes the Kill
ing of sick birds desirable. Birds that
first contract diseases are apt to be
the weakest ones in the flock end
should be culled out.
The more birds kept on a farm or
plot of ground and the more they are
crowded the greater the danger from
contagion and parasites, and the more
important the measures for excluding,
eradicating, and preventing develop
ment of these causes Of disease.
The best way to do this is to seoIre
eggs from flock that has shown no
indication of contagious disease for at
least year. If precautions are taken
to keep the eggs absolutely clean Snd
they are Matched in q thoroughly
cleaned incubator the young chicks will
have a much better chance. They will
escaping disease if they are raised
in clean brooders and kept upon grouHG
where poultry has not run for some
time.
Sometimes these directions canaOt
be followed explicitly. If all the avail.
able ground has been recently used for
poultry, fowls should be taken from
that part which is to be used for the
new flock, good coating of freshly
Stacked lime applied to the surface.
and a few days later it should be
plowed. Then it should be cultivated
three or four times with intervals of
a week, and finally sowed to a small
grain crop. In a few months the
greater part of the germs will be de-
stroyed, but 1t is better to leave the
ground unoccupied by poultry until
winter has passed.
It is more difficult to raise a new
flock free from parasites If the eggs
are Matched by hens, for hens may
carry lice and mites and various para
sites. For this reason 1t is a good
idea to select hens for brooding from
a flock free from disease and pests.
To keep germs and parasites from
developing to a great extent, poultry
houses need to be cleaned frequently
and the drinking fountains and feed
troughs need a weekly washing with
boiling water or other disinfectant. If
any lice or mites are found on the
birds or in their houses, the roosts and
adjoining parts of the walls must be
painted with commercial carbolineum
or a mixture of l quart kerosene and
/ teacupful of crude carbolic acid or
crude cresol, or the house may he
whitewashed with freshly Stacked. lime
and sprayed with kerosene emulsion
Dust the fowl with sodium huOrde OF
lice powder.