54 Hen Health. 



chickens die ? Although overfeeding, underfeeding, damp- 

 ness, and neglect by the hen threaten a young chicken, one of 

 the prime causes of sudden drooping, loss of appetite, and 

 death, is the presence of numerous large, lively lice upon the 

 body. The latter fatten wonderfully, while the chick grows 

 rapidly poor as its vitality is impaired; and even after the ene- 

 mies are destroyed it is difficult, and often impossible, to bring 

 the little thing to a healthy state. Insect-powder will stave off 

 their ravages, but grease applied under the wings will most ef- 

 fectually get rid of them. If the mites are upon the chicks 

 they are upon the hen also. It is a good plan to mix insect- 

 powder with the grease. In addition to this, let the hencoops 

 be frequently moved to clean places. A. D. WARNER. 



The Moulting Hen. A moulting hen is an idler. "A short 

 moult and a merry one " would be the rule if we could have 

 our own way. Can we not ? Can we not by special care 

 hasten the moulting-period and thus start the hens laying ear- 

 lier in the fall ? In reply to these questions Mr. P. H. Jacobs 

 says: "As the growth of the new feathers takes from the 

 fowl the elements necessary for the production of feathers, 

 the food should be highly nitrogenous meat, fresh bones from 

 the butcher, and milk being preferred. At times the bird is 

 nearly naked ; hence dry quarters and protection against ex- 

 posure should be afforded. I have never observed any advan- 

 tage in favor of the large or small breeds. More depends on 

 the vigor and hardiness of each individual than upon breed. 

 Oily foods hasten the dropping of the old feathers. Linseed 

 meal or sunflower seed induces moulting and hastens the 

 process. Such foods not only contain oil, but are nitrogenous, 

 and also abound in mineral matter. They are the best foods 

 for moulting hens, a gill of linseed meal mixed with bran being 

 sufficient for ten hens once a day." 



Philander Williams writes : " My theory for hastening the 

 moult is to get flesh on the birds. After hens have been lay- 

 ing and sitting all summer, they get thin in flesh. The better 

 the layer, the thinner she gets, so, after I am through breed- 



