DISEASES. 93 



CHAPTER IX. 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



IF healthy fowls are kept clean, and well sheltered from wind and 

 wet ; are not overfed, and have a due proportion of both soft 

 and green food, with a never-failing supply of clean water and 

 gravel, they will remain free from disease, unless infected by 

 strangers. When a fowl becomes ill, the best cure in nearly 

 every case is to kill it before it is too bad to be eaten. Only 

 in the case of valuable birds, which people are naturally 

 unwilling to sacrifice, do we recommend much attempt at a 

 cure, and even then only when the disease is so defined and 

 evident that the treatment is sure. As this work is intended 

 to be strictly practical, it is only for such well-defined com- 

 plaints we shall prescribe. 



Besides actual diseases, there are certain natural ailments, 

 as they may be called, to which all fowls may be subject, and 

 which demand treatment. 



Apoplexy occurs from over-feeding, and can seldom be 

 treated in time to be of service. If the fowl, however, 

 although insensible, do not appear actually dead, the wing may 

 be lifted, and a large vein which will be seen underneath freely 

 opened, after which hold the bird's head under a cold water 

 tap for a few minutes. It is just possible that it may recover ; 

 if so, feed sparingly on soft food only for a few days. In over- 

 fed hens this disease usually occurs during the exertion of 

 laying ; if, therefore, a laying hen be found dead upon the 

 nest, let the owner at once examine the remainder, and should 

 they appear in too high condition, reduce their allowance of 

 food accordingly. 



Bad Fledging. Chickens often droop and suffer much 

 whilst their feathers are growing, especially in cold, wet 

 weather; and the breeds which feather most rapidly suffer 



