CHAPTER XVII 



DISEASES AND PARASITES OF FOWLS 



A knowledge of poultry diseases is of value to the poultry- 

 keeper more in enabling him to locate unfavorable hygienic 

 conditions than in the curing of diseases. In the discussion 

 of poultry management in general the author has en- 

 deavored to keep prominently to the fore the great im- 

 portance of proper sanitary conditions as a means cl main- 

 taining health or of avoiding diseases as much as possible. 

 In other words, the poultryman must rely rather on pre- 

 ventive measures than on curative treatment to maintain 

 his flock on a healthy, profitable basis. It is an unprofitable 

 business to be continually fighting diseases and treating sick 

 fowls when a knowledge of simple hygienic rules will 

 enable the poultry-keeper to prevent diseases and obviate 

 treatment. As a rule, it does not pay to treat sick fowls. 

 An individual fowl, on the average, is worth too little to 

 pay to treat; besides fowls suffering from contagious dis- 

 eases are a menace to the rest of the flock and the sooner 

 they are gotten rid of the better. 



There are, however, certain diseases or ailments that are 

 amenable to simple treatment, and if the poultryman 

 possesses the requisite knowledge of the ailment and its 

 treatment, he may often save himself considerable loss. 



Hygienic Conditions. The importance of the subject 

 warrants recapitulation here of what has already been em- 

 phasized in different chapters of proper sanitary or hygienic 

 conditions. 



Fresh Air. Fresh air is not only an egg producer but a 

 health preserver as well. Many of our pouftry diseases are 



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