350 Farm Poultry 



their being broken, the habit is not likely to be 

 contracted. As soon as it is discovered that a fowl 

 has the habit well formed this fowl should be removed 

 from the others before the habit is spread. Unless 

 the bird is a specially valuable one, it is often advis- 

 able to inflict the death penalty. 



FEATHER-EATING 



Feather-eating, like egg-eating, may become a 

 most objectionable habit. Fowls of active breeds 

 that are closely confined are more likely to learn 

 feather-eating or feather-pulling than those that 

 are given wide range and plenty of wholesome 

 food. Close confinement with improper ration 

 will often lead to this vice. When once the habit 

 is well formed it may become most troublesome. 

 Fowls pluck the feathers from each other. Those 

 on the back at the root of the tail or high up on 

 the breast are likely to be plucked first. If but 

 few fowls have learned the habit, it is sometimes 

 recommended to file the beak so that the front 

 and sides will not close tightly. This will prevent 

 the bird from pulling feathers but will permit it 

 to eat ordinary food readily. When several fowls 

 of a flock have but slightly contracted the habit, a 

 wide range with change of diet, including plenty of 

 animal food, will usually suffice to correct the evil. 

 Above all, permit the fowls to take plenty of exercise. 



