so 



111 ordfi lu pnvfiil it, a fowl tliat is noticed pluck 

 ing feathers sbould be at once removed from tiie lloct 

 before the others have had time to learn the habit. If 

 it is not desirable that the bird should be killed, several 

 methods for prevtntinsi the continuation of the habit 

 are recommended. The best and most humane is to 

 tile awav the bill in front and on the sides so that it 

 will not close tightly, but when shut leaves a space of 

 about one-tenth of an inch. This -will prevent the bird 

 from grasping the fi^ther with sufficient force to re 

 move it, but will not interfere with eating. Another 

 remedy that has been suggested is to place a piece of 

 wire through the mouth as a bit and carry the upper 

 end of wirt through a hole that has been punctured 

 in tlie comb. This has the effect of preventing the 

 fowl from closing the beak tightly, and therefore from 

 pulling out the feathers, but is rather a cruel proced- 

 ure and cannot be recommended. In all cases, fo'wls 

 inflicted in this way should be allowed a large yard. 

 SIP that they may have plenty of exercise. 



4. FA\G EATING. 



This is another habit that spreads from fowl to fowl 

 similar to the above. If eggs are allowed to remain 

 too long in the nests so that they become broken, or if 

 soft shell eggs are produced by any of the hens in the 

 HO'Ck some of the fowls may get into the way of eating 

 them, and the habit once started spreads from bird to 

 bird until in some cases it becomes almost impossible 

 I.. s.-,-,nv anv egg. at all. 



