Putnam patriot., 1929-06-27
TIM FL Y FARM TOPICS
 by the County Agricultural Agent

+ was only a few years ago that chicken pox in Connecticut was un- common and not cause for any great concern. Each succeeding year the cases of chicken pox have become mere numerous until last year praeti- cally 50Ge of all commercial farms had chicken pox The loss due to chicken pox may vary widely, ac- cording to the time of year it appears and the length of time the affected birds have been confined or in heavy production. Pullets may have chick en pox on range with very little ap- parent effect, while a flock of pull lets housed for winter and in heavy production are bound to be seriously affected. The later in the winter the disease appears, the more serious it is apt to be. Many outbreaks of chick en pox cost at least Sl.00 per bird in reduced egg production, beside the mortality which may run as high as 10 to l5ft.
 Chicken pox appears as small warty modules on the comb and wat ties or unfeathered parts of the chick ems heads. These growths are light yellow and quite small at the start, but gradually build up, turning dark in color until in severe cases many scabs join together until one scab covers a considerable area. Individual birds may be taken down with chick en pox and recover in three to fonr weeks, while # usually takes six to eight weeks from the time the disease breaks out in flock until it is entirely cleaned up.
 Chicken pox can be entirely com tr8lled by immunization through in- eculating each bird with scab mate rial at the time of year when the birds have the most resistance and chicken pox affects them least. The work should be done while the pul- lets are on range, and about one month before production starts CT be- fore they are housed for winter. Where bullets are of varying ages, it may be necessary Co let some of the birds come close to the point of production. in order to allow the younger birds to become of sufficient age Birds may be inoculated ct from two to five months of age-four 10 five months being considered the ideal time.
 For inocuation. use fifty milli- grams of scab material with ten cubic centimeters of water. This should be sufficient Co treat 300 birds Pull from five to six feathers from tho shank and paint the inoeulatiOn into the feather foilicles or openings, us- ing a small camePs hair brush.
 The Connecticut Agricultural Col lege Extension Service, working with each County Farm Bureau in the state. is planning to put on state wide chicken pox control progress. Tnoculation material will be supplied, demonstrations will be given, and as- sistance rendered Go make 1t possible for every poultryman who is inter- ested to inoculate his bullets for chicken pox this summer and fall.
 On smaller poultry farms where chicken pox has net yet occurred and where no nearby farms have suffer ed from the disease, inoculation is not recommended; but on farms where chicken pox has occurred, or where the disease has appeared near by. failure to inoeulate will be in- viting q heavy financial loss. Any poultryman who has not already re- ceived letter from his County Farm Bureau regarding the Chicken Pox Control Program should get one with his County Agent at once.
 The information in this article bas- ed on material from Roy F.. Jones, Poultry Specialist.
 County Agricultural Agent.