DISEASES OF CHICKENS TREATMENT 329 



Breed for Health. "Like produces like." Do not expect birds with weak 

 constitutions to produce healthy chicks. Breed from the best stock you have. 

 Breed for health. Health gives one a solid bed-rock foundation upon which to 

 build a strain well fitted to develop all the other desirable qualities. The ten- 

 dencies to certain weaknesses are readily transmitted from parent to offspring. 

 When these tendencies are handed down from generation to generation they 

 become more firmly fixed. The strong, vigorous birds should be mated and the 

 weak strains eliminated. 



Indications of Health. Use the birds with bright eyes; bright, smooth, 

 well-kept plumage ; red comb ; those that are alert, active, and have a keen ap- 

 petite. Examine the body to see that it is free from defects and deformities, 

 especially the legs. The legs should be bright, clean, clear, and well formed. 



Legs Show Condition. The legs of a fowl indicate its condition as much 

 as the pulse of a person. If the veins on the legs are prominent, if the legs feel 

 dry and hot to the touch, especially if this condition is accompanied by a hot 

 breath and dry mouth, separate the bird from the others until you find out what 

 is wrong. 



Do Not Breed "Cured" Fowls. Birds that have been sick are dangerous 

 as breeders. They are necessarily the weak ones, besides there is always the 

 danger of their not being entirely cured. Some taint often remains which may 

 transmit a predisposition to disease to the offspring. 



Feeding to Prevent Disease. Be sure that the chickens receive the kinds 

 of feed and the right amounts to supply their needs. In winter they must be 

 given the feeds that take the place of what they pick up on the range during the 

 summer months. Even in summer they do not always get all they need. This 

 must be supplied them if necessary. 



Housing to Prevent Disease. See that the fowls have plenty of fresh air 

 but avoid drafts and damp coops. Do not allow the birds out when there is 

 snow on the ground. Colds lead to other troubles and result in loss to the 

 owner. Besides fresh air the fowls also need sunlight in order to be healthy. 

 If possible, the coop should be so situated that during the day, sunlight pene- 

 trates to all parts of it. Fresh air and sunlight are purifiers and natural disin- 

 fectants. This applies to all poultry buildings. Many brooder houses which 

 seem to be veritable death traps and which have proven unsatisfactory, will 

 work well if they are changed so as to let in the sun whenever possible. Of 

 course the chicks should be able to get in the shade when they choose. Feed- 

 ing and housing play a large part in keeping the birds healthy and vigorous. 

 Give them a home. 



Cleanliness in Preventing Disease. If everything about the place were 

 kept clean, there would be little trouble from diseases in poultry. Keep clean 

 litter on the floor of the poultry buildings and clean the coop thoroughly at least 

 once a week. Have a dropping board to catch the manure at night. This should 

 be cleaned at least twice a week in summer. Scald out the drinking basins to 

 keep them free from germs and clean the hoppers. Do not keep poultry on the 

 same ground season after season. The ground becomes infected and harbors 



