210 POULTRY FOR PROFIT 



DISEASES 



Turkeys are subject to all diseases that affect 

 chickens, but their weak point is their liver. When a 

 turkey seems dull and sluggish, inclined to stand or 

 sit with drooping wings, and refuses to eat, look 

 first for lice. If none are found, diagnose a dis- 

 turbed liver. There is usually more or less diarrhea 

 in these cases, so the diarrhea is the thing to rem- 

 edy first. Boiled rice is said to be an excellent 

 remedy and a diet of chopped onion and lettuce for a 

 few days is very beneficial, if the bird can be in- 

 duced to eat, but loss of appetite is usually the first 

 symptom of illness so there must be a little doctor- 

 ing. 



Probably there is nothing better than quinine in 

 these cases. I must confess I have not found it 

 much help, but it is generally recommended. Give 

 the sick bird first either a liver pill or a calomel pill 

 containing one-tenth grain, once a day for three 

 days and follow with a quinine pill once a day till 

 the bird is cured. 



A simple remedy which is said to be a sure cure 

 for diarrhea is a red pepper pill which is made as 

 follows: One tablespoon of red pepper mixed with 

 two tablespoons of wheat middlings; moisten with 

 water, cut into from four to six parts, roll each 

 part into pill shape and bake hard in the oven. 

 Give one pill three times a day till the droppings 

 are improved, then give castor oil, a tablespoon 

 to an adult bird or one-half tablespoon to a poult. 



Another disease to which turkeys are subject is 

 known as pendulous crop. The crop becomes great- 

 ly enlarged so that it sometimes interferes with 

 walking, and is filled with a dark liquid. An east- 

 ern breeder recommends baking powder, a teaspoon 

 for an adult bird, for this trouble, but I have heard 



