370 AGRICULTURE 



purchased birds, by fowls that have been taken to poultry 

 shows, or by pigeons or other wild birds. 



Roup is one of few poultry diseases that may be suc- 

 cessfully treated. The sick fowl should be separated from 

 the flock and given a warm, dry, well-ventilated place. All 

 the affected parts should be washed with some antiseptic 

 mixture. This may be done with a spray, or by plunging 

 the head into the liquid wash. The following are suitable 

 washes : 



1. Boric acid, 1 ounce; water, 1 quart, or 



2. Permanganate of potash, 1 dram; water, 1 quart, or 



3. Peroxide or hydrogen 1 ounce; water, 3 ounces. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Taking into account both what the chickens on your 

 farm are fed and what they pick up, make a list of what 

 goes into the ration of your flock. Compare with the ra- 

 tions given in the chapter. Is any element lacking in what 

 your chickens are getting? 



2. Estimate as carefully as you can the value of the 

 feed given your chickens in one year ; now estimate the 

 value of the eggs and meat yielded by your flock. What 

 do you conclude? Would it pay to keep a strict account of 

 the expense and income of your flock for several months or 

 a year, so you would know how you are coining out? 



3. Estimate as closely as you can the number of eggs 

 produced in a year by your flock. How many eggs does 

 this average per hen? Is this a good average? 



4. If the average egg production from your flock is 

 low, what is the cause: breed, age, care, or feeding? What 

 would need to be done to improve the record ? How many 

 hens have you more than two years old? 



5. Suppose you have for market fifty chickens that, 

 without special fattening, will average five pounds each, 

 and will bring ten cents a pound. Now also suppose that 

 by two weeks of crate or close-yard feeding you can in- 

 crease the average weight one pound for each bird, and get 



