EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 237 



sides and effectually keep out rain except when high winds prevail. The 

 roof is very easily removed by lifting one end and sliding it endwise on 

 the opposite gable end on which it rests. The trough can then be filled 

 and the roof drawn back into place without lifting it." 



During the whole summer, constant watch must be kept to see that 

 the growing pullets have plenty of shade and water. Neglect these two 

 essentials and they will not fill the egg basket the next winter. If trees 

 are not already in the yards plant them the following spring. Use 

 fruit trees to get both shade for protection and fruit for chicken food 

 and market. Plum and apple trees are excellent for this purpose. 

 Peach trees make a more rapid growth and hence furnish shade quicker. 

 If trees are not to be had, a very good shelter can be made by fastening 

 an old door, or something of the kind, on legs about six inches long 

 on one end and one foot on the other. Chickens do not like to take 

 refuge in the house during the day, and something suitable should be 

 provided to protect them from the sun's rays. 



SOME DISEASES OF CPIICKS. 



GAPES. 



This is probably one of the most serious causes of loss among chicks. 

 It is caused by a small worm that accumulates in the windpipe until the 

 chicks suffocate. The affected chicks constantly' try to dislodge the 

 worms by gaping and shaking the head. If the chick is quite large it 

 can usually manage to throw off the disease. If, however, the disease at- 

 tacks small chicks, they usually succumb to it, or become stunted. 



There are several ways of treating gapes, but in all cases the first 

 thing to do is to separate the unaffected ones from the rest and move 

 them to fresh ground as the disease spreads rapidly if this precaution is 

 not taken. The common earth worm is said to be a means of spreading 

 the disease as it is very frequently found to be a host for gape worms. 

 If there is d;inger of gapes, use solid floors in all the coops and keep 

 the chicks confined when there are many earth worms on the surface. 



Several patent devices for the treatment of gapes are on the market; 

 some of them are very good for the purpose while others are of doubt- 

 ful value. If the chicks are considered worth the trouble, the quill and 

 turpentine treatment is probably about the best, and is used as follows: 

 Dip a quill in turpentine and then insert it gently into the wind pipe. 

 The quill must of course enter the wind pipe in order to effect any cure. 

 The operator will see the opening of the wind pipe at the base of the 

 throat. Numerous complaints are made that the treatment does no 

 good because people frequently insert the quill into the gullet instead 

 of the wind pipe. 



A looped horse hair may also be used for dislodging the gape worm. 

 Insert it into the wind pipe; give it three or four turns and then re- 

 move, after which the chick will cough up any worms that have been dis- 

 lodged. 



