TREATMENT FOR DISEASES^ OF TURKEYS. 



Blackhead. 



This is a very serious disease which is common and most injurious to 

 turkeys. It first attacks the blind intestine, situated between the large and 

 small intestines. Then it attacks the liver, which becomes very much en- 

 larged. 



The disease is caused by a germ or microbe, which enters the digestive 

 organs of healthy birds by means of food or water infected by the excrement 

 of a sick bird. Eggs may also be a means of infection. While it is not proven 

 that the germ or microbe is present within the egg of the diseased turkey, it 

 no doubt often exists on the outside of the egg. For this reason the eggs 

 should be carefully cleansed with a cloth wet in alcohol before they are put 

 into the incubator or under the hen. It has been proved that adult fowls 

 as well as sparrows, pigeons, etc., act as hosts to these microbes. Although 

 they have a great degree of resistance themselves, they are a means of in- 

 fecting turkeys. Young turkeys being more susceptible, contract a more fatal 

 form of the disease and nearly all die. For this reason it is much better to 

 keep turkeys entirely separated from other fowls. 



Symptoms. The symptoms of blackhead are more frequently seen in 

 young turkeys. The bird stands by itself with drooping wings and tail ; shows 

 a loss in weight and has no appetite. The head and comb show a dark purple 

 color when the disease is at its height. Diarrhea is a marked symptom caused 

 from inflammation and internal weakness. 



Treatment. The treatment is largely preventive as the use of medicine 

 has not proved very successful. 



Preventive Treatment. The measures of prevention are summarized as 

 follows : 



The turkeys should be kept on fresh, new grounds and isolated entirely 

 from any other fowls. 



Keep very close watch of every turkey and at the first indication of 

 disease, isolate the bird until the nature of the trouble is ascertained. To 

 leg-band each turkey and keep a record of its weight from time to time would 

 be a good plan. If it is found that any bird is losing weight, it should be 

 regarded with suspicion and taken from the flock. 



If blackhead exists in any of the poultry, the houses and feed boxes 

 should be kept free from mice and rats, and the yards from sparrows or 

 pigeons, as these have been known to carry the infection. 



Frequent disinfection of houses, drinking and feed troughs. 



Immediately burn the body of any bird dying of the disease. 



In all bowel trouble of turkeys the feeding of boiled rice has proven 

 beneficial, and it is largely practiced by experienced poultry men to prevent 



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