FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 1087 



Poultry notes, F. E. Hege {North Carolina 8ta. Bui. 152, pp. 24). — 

 The bulletin describes a portion of the work of the poultry section of 

 the station for the year ending July 12, 1898. The houses and appli- 

 ances are described, as well as the diseases observed among the poultry 

 and the treatment followed. A feeding experiment with ducks and 3 

 tests with chickens hatched in incubators are also reported. 



Disease experiments (pp. G-13). — Little disease was observed among 

 the poultry. This is attributed to the fact that the fowls were kept 

 clean and comfortable, the houses well cared for, and continual war 

 waged on vermin. 



A number of chickens were treated for diarrhea. From these cases 

 and the experience of previous years — 



"It seems that, if taken in time, a cleansing of the system by the use of either 

 sweet oil or calomel, followed by soft food containing, say, 10 per cent black pepper 

 (or less, if the fowl will not consume as much . . . ), will almost invariably effect 

 a cure, but if the trouble is not noticed at once cures are infrequent. What causes 

 the occasional cases in the yard has not been determined, unless . . . the fowl in 

 molting is naturally weaker than when in full feather. Xo severe cases have 

 appeared except during the molting season." 



Several of the chickens suffered with sore head. Some of the cases 

 were successfully treated with an application of copper sulphate. 



"Sore head i.- a serious drawback to poultry raisers in the South and if the disease 

 strikes a flock during June or July, nothing could do the fowls more damage, as it 

 is extremely contagious, apparently healthy fowls one day being covered with sores 

 on the head the next. . . . 



" Sore head in winter is indeed a rare occurrence and that is another indication that 

 stagnant blood is really the prime cause of the disease. Sulphur and salts both act 

 on the system of the fowl, cleansiug it from almost any lingering disease germs." 



Feeding powdered sulphur mixed with the morning food 3 times a 

 week (£ lb. to each h gal. of food) and adding ^ lb. Epsom salts to the 

 gallon of drinking water is regarded as a satisfactory preventive of sore 

 head. This was followed from March 1 to October 1. 



A number of cases of roup were also treated. 



"There is no doubt that the colds which had developed into mild cases of roup 

 were caused by the chickens roosting where the chilly night air was continually 

 upon them. We . . . are satisfied that if the fowls are placed in positions not 

 exposed to draughts the disease is not necessarily contagious. Previous experi- 

 ments made by the writer in 1891 and 1892 fully convinced him of the foregoing. 

 There can be little doubt that if a laxative had been given the subjects when i'.rst 

 isolated and nostrils had been cleansed daily their period of confinement would have 

 been decreased by several days." 



Feeding experiments with Pekin duels (pp. 13-15). — Eighteen Fekiu 

 ducks were fed 56 days from the time they were hatched. At the 

 beginning of the test the total food consisted of 4.4 oz. of meal and an 

 equal amount of bran per head daily, while at the close of the test 

 6 lbs. 10 oz. of meal, 4 lbs. 3 oz. of bran, and 3 lbs. 5 oz. of bone were 

 fed daily. In addition to the grain an amount of fine grit equal to one- 

 sixth of the weight of the grain and chopped green clover equal to 



