1S8 Bueeau or Farmers' Institutes. 



or sometimes an inflammation will take place from ammoniacal 

 gases in a hen house from bad ventilation. Make all surroundings 

 in the best possible condition; mix olive oil and strained honey 

 together- equally and put a drop with a camel's hair pencil in the 

 eye two or three times daily. 



Question. — What about condition powders for hens ? 

 Dr. Smead. — The best condition powders I know are good, well- 

 balanced rations. What is the matter with your hens ? 

 The Farmer. — I suppose it is roup. 



Dr. Smead. — Probably the best way to treat a hen thus afflicted 

 is to cut off its head and bury it. Watch the hens, and if you 

 find one that is ailing, take it away from the flock. You may use 

 a camel's-hair brush, and with a mixture of vaseline and alcohol 

 anoint the throats of the sick hens. But the best way is to make 

 the sanitary conditions good. Prevent dampness, give good ra- 

 tions and make the hen house warm and light. Unless there is 

 disease in the flock or herd, don't give medicine. As a rule, roup 

 and kindred hen diseases do not appear in the flocks in summer, 

 when they are out. Another point ; don't feed too much carbona- 

 ceous foods, such as corn, in winter. If the hens are to lay eggs, 

 they must have protein ; not only for egg production, but to keep 

 in a well-balanced way the animal structure. I should not buy a 

 pound of these so-called " condition powders." They have a basis 

 of linseed meal, which costs now about $23 per ton ; but the pow- 

 ders are sold for about $400. There is a little golden seal, pow- 

 dered aniseed, and something else to make the mixture smell 

 good, as well as palatable, to the hen. That is all. Don't buy 

 them for any purposes. 



Question. — What is the cause of hens' having a " gagging " in 

 their throats ? 



Dr. Smead. — If it is a chicken, I should think it was the work 

 of the gape worm. If it is an adult hen, possibly it is diphtheria. 

 Syringe or brush the membrane of the throat, using alcohol and 

 vaseline, making two or three applications a week, first quarantin- 

 ing the sick fowl. 



Question. — Will you please describe the disease known as blue- 

 head in young turkeys ; give the cause, method of prevention and 

 cure ? 



Dr. Smead. — Blue-head is simply an indication of a fevered 

 system. The turkey is the worst fowl known to treat for any 

 disease. Feed on laxative food and let nature do what she can. 



