The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-02-28
How TO Have Healthy Fowls

+ lBy I. l. DdYlS, HOultTy fXpeft1
/ In the fall of the year, and also In
the winter colds and other kindred
ailments are apt to show themselves
in the poultry yard. II is at this
season that the poultry editor is
swamDcd with Cries for help" from
his readers My fowls have the
roup; what can | do for them The
chances are that the correspondent
poultry do not have roup. but instead
some form of cold as dstemper, swell
led head or canker Now what would
be 4 speedy remedy for one form of
rouD would be unsatisfactory for an
other.
When fowl has genuine roup 1t has
nearly all the symptoms OF cold all
ments. and besides the breath has
very offensive smell. Such cases are
nearly lncurable The well-advertis-
ed rouD remedies, which publish long
lists OF recommendations as gen
eral thing win their laurels on the
simple forms Of colds-such condi-
lions which readily respond 10 quin-
Inc. aconite. etc.
I am not an advocate Of doetoring
poultry. but do believe that it is
advisable to treat the milder forms of
disease, and To use eyepy method for
prevention But il is never advisable
to doctor fowls suffering with Il CON
tagious disease. II is better, plan
to get rid of such at once, and devote
the energies to preventing the rest of
the flock from becoming affected.
The beginner is often heard to boast
Of his wonderful achievement in cur
ing sick fowls. and labors under the
Impression that il is a testimonial to
his poultry knowledge to know what
to do to rid fowls of sickness. 1t
is profitable to know all about poul-
try ailments, what causes them what
the symptoms are, and how best to
treat the early stages of the disease.
but it is equally important. if not
more so. To know how to prevent
these troubles.
It is pulling tc the beginner Why
the hocks of the averaged experience
ed poultry breeder continue in good
health while his own are constantly
suffering from some ailment.
There is a reason The experience
ed pOultryman starts from the very
foundation. When he mates up his
breeding pens he excludes all that
have been sick He wants strong
vigorous birds, and birds whose an
cestors were also hardy stock With
this start he is able to do good work.
He avoids inbreeding, knowing that
relationship will deteriorate the stock,
and new blood will strengthen the
constitution.
He never oyercrowds this flocks. as
experience has proved that better
health is maintained and better re-
suits secured from small families than
large ones. Besides such vices as
feather-pulling, egg-eating etc, in
Variably come from overcrowding.
He believes in fresh air, and his
houses are so constructed that there
is contant presence of fresh air in
them without the possibility of drafts.
He is generous in the size of both
his houses and runs, and as the size
of the fiocks is limited, the fowls,
when compelled to remain indoors
during bad weather OF winter, never
suffer. The scratching sheds at
tached to the roosting pens are heayi-
ly Uttered and among this litter
that the fowls secure plenty of exer-
else in scratching, the combs redden
up, there is great activity. and natu-
rally there is good healthy egg pro-
ductiOn.
He breeds only from matured stock
so that he may have strength in the
Youngsters right from the start
He feeds generously of good clean
sweet poultry feeds and is very care
fnl in their selection, and he has reg
Glar times for feeding that the fowls
may not become restless waiting 10
be served. He knows that fowls
quickly become accustomed to regular
hours for feeding, and that unless they
are attended to they will get restless
and cranky.
lie is particular in the care of his
focks Everything must be kept
perfectly clean The droppings arc
gathered up at least every other day:
the atmosphere of the house is kept
from offensive odors; ailing fowls are
at once removed so that they may not
eontaminate the air. the drinking YES
sells are kept clean and only fresh
water allowed in them. In fact, all
these small details are carefully look
ed after.
He feeds the best of food. The
first consideration with him is purity
Quality is worth more than cheap
ness. and the so-caled Cheap fools
he has long since found out to be
the dearest in the end.
Upon such foundation there is no