534 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



usually caused by jumping from roosts to hard floors. When 

 the swelling reaches a certain stage, pus forms therein. At 

 this stage the bottom of the foot should be opened, and the 

 swelling drained, washed with sterilized water, and cleaned 

 thoroughly with a weak solution of carbolic acid or tincture 

 of iodine. The bird must then be kept on clean straw until, 

 after further treatment, the foot has healed. Heavy fowls 

 should not be compelled to fly from high roosts. 



Freezing of comb and wattles of fowls is not unusual in 

 the colder latitudes. In severe cases death may follow the 

 freezing. If the affected parts have not been thawed, they 

 should be brought back to as near normal condition as pos- 

 sible by rubbing with snow or cold water, and gradually 

 thawing. After thawing, apply to the affected parts either 

 vaseline, glycerine, or tincture of myrrh. 



Egg-eating by hens is a bad habit which is usually taken 

 up by accident, due to a broken or frozen egg. In some 

 instances a number of hens in a pen will become egg-eaters, 

 and the habit will become serious. Eggs are not so readily 

 eaten in a dark nest, so if the boxes are arranged so that the 

 hens must enter from the back side, away from the light, 

 the eggs will not be so visible and probably will not be eaten. 

 Another preventive method is to cut off the sharp point of 

 the beak, without cutting into the sensitive part. 



Cannibalism among chicks may become quite common, 

 especially when they are confined in the brooder in large 

 numbers. This is due to improper nutrition and overcrowd- 

 ing. If the chicks do not get green stuff, such as sprouted 

 oats, bugs, etc., they tend to pick at various objects, includ- 

 ing their own kind. If blood starts, this satisfies the crav- 

 ing for animal food, and they pick on the injured chick until 

 it is killed and partly eaten. Sour milk, sprouted oats, 

 chunks of green sod, and bits of meat, prevent this habit. 

 Out door exercise each pleasant day is also highly desirable. 

 Regarding overcrowding, it is recommended* to brood not 



*Baby Chick Troubles and Their Control. E. L. Dakan, Bulletin No. 5. 



