144 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



The germs of disease are microscopic organisms 

 which multiply in multitudes when fostered by decom- 

 posing organic matter, rotting mature, stagnant water 

 pools, foul confined air and dark, damp, confined places. 



Sanitation does away with all these unhealthy condi- 

 tions, but even then there is danger if the poultryman 

 purchases fowls supposed to be all right, but actually 

 weak or diseased because bred or raised under evil con- 

 ditions. 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



The reasonable, sensible, profitable plan relative to 

 poultry diseases is to prevent them. 



First start with healthy stock. It is the part of wis- 

 dom to know the poultryman who furnishes the founda- 

 tion stock, to know the history and record of the flock 

 from which the fowls are taken, and to inspect the 

 quarters in which the birds have been bred and raised. 



If this is not possible, the purchaser may at least buy 

 his birds of a reliable breeder and on a guaranty of 

 healthfulness, with the privilege of returning the stock 

 immediately, transportation charges paid, if on arrival 

 the fowls appear unhealthy or unsatisfactory. 



If accepted, the birds should next be kept in quaran- 

 tine for two weeks. A clean hen house will be suitable 

 for this purpose and while the birds are thus confined 

 they should be examined to see if they are free from 

 lice. 



The permanent quarters should be fully prepared 

 before the fowls are placed in them. If the house is a new 

 one it should be thoroughly dried out. If an old one, 

 previously used for poultry, it should have been cleaned 

 out, freed from parasites, disinfected to destroy disease 

 germs, and long opened to the air and sunshine. The 

 quarters must be supplied with ample means of ventila- 

 tion without danger to the fowls from direct drafts of 

 air. 



The water fountains and other furnishings should be 

 clean and kept clean. 



The floor, if of soil, should be renewed to freshen it. 



