DISEASES AND PESTS OF FOWLS 



Cause. Small worms, red in color when 

 engorged, which attach themselves to the 

 mucous membrane of the windpipe. Af- 

 fected birds cough up worms or ova, which 

 infect the yard and sometimes the water 

 supply. Earthworms taken from infested 

 yards have been found to contain portions 

 of gape worms, and may be one means of 

 infecting poultry. 



Treatment. Isolate attacked poultry and 

 disinfect coops and yards. The worms may 

 be extracted from the windpipe of a gaping 

 chicken with a feather stripped nearly to 

 the end, and moistened, but not dripping, 

 with oil of turpentine. Hold the mouth 

 open, push the feather down the windpipe, 

 and give it a sudden twist, which will dis- 

 lodge the worms and allow of their being 

 drawn up. Fumigation by holding the 

 bird's head over an irritant vapor, such as 

 that of carbolic acid poured into boiling 

 water, is risky, but sometimes successful. If 

 not cautiously done, much suffering may be 

 inflicted on the bird. 



Post-mortem. Cut open the windpipe 

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