288 DISEASES OF POULRY. 



above the surface of the skin, but remain as mere stumps 

 arrested in their growth. It is a disorder apparently 

 similar to that which, in horses, is termed " out of con- 

 dition," when the hair becomes shaggy, rough, and star- 

 ing, and is constantly coming off. 



As the disorder, termed " loss of feathers," is evidently 

 a constitutional, and not a local affection, it would be 

 in vain to seek for remedies in external applications, 

 though stimulants might perhaps aid the operation of 

 internal medicines. Amongst the latter, such as are 

 known to act on the skin, particularly sulphur and 

 antimony may be tried. Good keep and cleanliness, 

 plenty of fresh water, and an open range, will do more 

 than any other treatment to restore the loss of feathers. 

 Forge water, or water from the gas works, might prob- 

 ably be of advantage, given as drink. 



MOULTING. 



ALTHOUGH moulting is a natural and annual occur- 

 rence, it rarely passes without more or less disorder, and 

 not unfrequently proves fatal, so that fowls require to be 

 carefully attended to at the time of their moult. It is 

 most dangerous and most frequently fatal to young 

 chickens, particularly those of late broods, during the 

 occasional cold and rainy weather at the close of au- 

 tumn, their being late hatched throwing the time of 

 moulting late ; whereas, those that are hatched early in 

 spring, moult in the warm days of July and August, and 

 on that account are not so apt to suffer. The summer 

 moult is for the most part gradual, a few feathers falling 

 at a time, and being renewed till the whole plumage 

 undergoes a change. In the autumnal moult, on the 

 contrary, more of the feathers fall off at once, and as 

 the fresh ones do not grow so readily, on account of the 

 weather being colder, the fowls are rendered naked, and 

 exposed to any accidental bad weather which may occur. 



Dr. Bechstein judiciously remarks, with respect to 

 wild birds, that their moulting time always happens 

 when their food is most abundant ; and as the loss of 

 feathers is likewise attended by a loss of flesh, nature 



