594 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



ing all control of the neck muscles, so that the head rests on the 

 ground. This condition occurs in warm weather, and is caused 

 by the fowls eating decomposed flesh in which a ptomaine has de- 

 veloped. This poison causes partial paralysis of the neck muscles 

 and often results in the death of the birds. Maggots eaten by fowls 

 do not cause the disease, except as they may contain the poison which 

 they have obtained from the decaying flesh. The best and most 

 effective treatment is, of course, never to leave any dead fowls or 

 other dead animals around, but to bury or burn all carcasses. Treat- 

 ment of sick birds is not usually very successful, but a teaspoonful 

 of castor oil is sometimes effective. 



BAD HABITS. 



Egg Eating. This habit sometimes becomes a serious vice, 

 fowls becoming very fond of eggs when they have learned to eat 

 them, and it often spreads from fowl to fowl. It usually begins 

 through accident by eggs being broken or frozen. Be careful to 

 see that this does not happen. See that the nests are properly 

 supplied with straw or other nesting material and have them dark- 

 ened, so that if an egg is accidentally broken the fowls will not 

 be likely to discover it. Supply plenty of lime in the form of 

 oyster shells, bone, or similar substances to insure a firm shell. As 

 soon as it is discovered that a fowl has formed the habit the fowl 

 should be removed, in order to prevent the spread of the vice. Once 

 formed, it is difficult to eradicate, and the safest remedy is the death 

 penalty. 



Feather Eating. Fowls sometimes pluck feathers from them- 

 selves and from each other, which is often caused by too close con- 

 finement, by the presence of insect pests, or by improper feeding. 

 When some of the fowls of a flock have formed the habit slightly, 

 a wide range with a change of diet, including a plentiful supply 

 of animal feed, and freedom from insect pests, will usually correct 

 the evil. Above all see that the fowls have plenty of inducement 

 to exercise. If the habit becomes well formed it is very trouble- 

 some and may necessitate the killing of some of the fowls in order 

 to stop it. 



INSECT PESTS. 



Two classes of external parasites, popularly known as lice and 

 mites, will be considered here. There are several varieties of lice 

 which attack poultry. They subsist mainly on the feathers and 

 perhaps on the epidermic scales. They are found largely on the 

 head and neck, under the wings and about the vent, and when pres- 

 ent in large numbers they cause the fowls much discomfort. Per- 

 sian insect powder (pyrethrum), powdered sulphur, and some of 

 the various preparations on the market, such as the louse powders, 

 are good in combating these pests. The hens can be dusted with 

 one of these powders after they have gone to roost. Have the powder 

 in a box with a perforated cover, grasp the fowl by the legs, and 

 shake the powder well among the feathers. Dust at least three 

 times at intervals of about a week in order to catch the lice which 

 hatch out after the first dusting. 



