VICES OR HABITS. 85 



An ointment made by mixing a little aloes with lard 

 and applying it to the parts where they pull feathers, 

 mostly, has a tendency to disgust them, because of its 

 very bitter taste. But, where there are only a few 

 feather-eaters in the flock, they should be disposed of 

 before the whole flock acquires the vice. 



EGG-EATING. 



This is a very troublesome vice and is often difficult 

 to check. 



Causes: In a great many cases the vice begins from 

 the eggs being too soft shelled and easily broken in the 

 nests, when they will be eaten, not only by the hen 

 that breaks them, but she will carry pieces of shell 

 about the hen-house and others will get the taste and 

 soon acquire the vice. 



Idleness and insuflficient supply of meat, cut bone and 

 oyster shell may be considered as indirect causes. 



Treatment: All possible eff'orts must be made to 

 prevent hens from getting started, by keeping straw 

 or something soft in the nests, and by having the nests 

 arranged so that the hens will not be compelled to jump 

 on the eggs. 



A variety of food, with a liberal supply of shell- 

 forming material and meat, should be suppHed, such as 

 oyster shells, lime, cut bone, meat scraps, etc. The 

 hens should be compelled to work, either by giving 

 free range or by providing a scratching-placc. 



Artificial nest eggsshould be placed about floor of the 

 the hen-hou&£>, as woll as one or two kept in each nest- 



