444 



Missouri Agricultural Report. 



Feather Eating — This trouble rarely occurs in flocks that have 

 free range. The habit may be due to an insufficient supply of 

 green food, a shortage of animal matter in food, or too small, 

 over-crowded quarters. A fowl may try to pick an insect off a 

 neighbor, when a feather is accidentally pulled out. If this be a 

 young, growing feather, the blood in the quill end attracts the 

 fowl, and the habit commences. 



Egg Eating — Lack of mineral matter in food is given as one 

 reason why hens eat eggs. The principal cause, however, is the 



In Missouri more than a Thousand Turkeys are often Delivered in a Single Drove 



Being Driven in on Foot. 



accidental breaking of eggs. In this way the hens get started at 

 egg eating. Some recommend catching the culprit and, with a 

 file, removing the sharp end of the beak. Some have tried keep- 

 ing a china egg in the nest, while others recommend filling an egg 

 shell with mustard. Prevention, though, is easier than cure. 



Favus, or White Comb — In this disease the comb looks as if 

 flour had been sprinkled on it, hence the name. The disease often 

 spreads to the head and neck. In severe cases running sores start, 

 a peculiar "mousey" odor is given off, and the feathers are easily 

 pulled out. Saturate the comb with turpentine and rub over with 

 carbolic ointment ; or bathe parts, using soap and warm water, then 

 follow with an ointment of 5 per cent nitrate of silver in lard. 



Eye Worms — These are small, thread-like worms found be- 

 neath the membrane of the eyes of chickens. "The eyeball is 

 likely to be involved, the cornea becomes opaque, and later the 



