94 GENERAL MANAGEMKNT OF POULTRY". 



most. This is probably one reason why Cochins and Brahmas, 

 which fledge late and slowly, are so hardy. As soon as a 

 brood appears drooping whilst the feathers grow, if it has not 

 been done before, begin at once giving them a little meat every 

 day, and some bread sopped in ale. A few drops of Parrish's 

 chemical food added to the water with which their food is 

 mixed is very beneficial. Keep them out of the wet, above 

 all things, and they will generally come round. This crisis 

 seldom lasts more than a week or ten days ; the chicks either 

 die off or recover their health and vigour. 



Lad Moulting. Old fowls sometimes suffer much at this 

 season, especially if the precautions recommended in Chapter 

 III. have been overlooked. These precautions contain the 

 only effectual treatment. Give stimulating food, warm, every 

 morning, and well peppered, with meat and ale every day, and 

 keep under cover in wet weather. Add also iron, in the form 

 of " Douglas Mixture/' to the drinking water, The birds, if 

 not sunk too low, will then usually pull through. Fowls 

 should not, however, be kept until old, except in the case of 

 pets or valuable stock birds. 



Canker. It is uncertain whether or not this malignant 

 disease, marked by ulcers about the head, is a modification of 

 the specific roup virus or not. Very often it is combined with 

 roup, the birds being attacked with ulcers about the eyes, 

 nostrils, comb, or face, or in the inside of the mouth or throat, 

 besides the usual roup symptoms. On the other hand, in some 

 cases the latter are not present, while the diseased formation 

 may nearly fill up the throat and strangle the bird. This com 

 plaint broke out with such virulence in 1876 as to be called 

 " the new disease," and has never since been absent from 

 England. So deadly is it, that many advise wholesale slaughter 

 and disinfection ; but many cases have, beyond doubt, yielded 

 to treatment. 



The fowls attacked should at once be placed apart in a 



