THE POULTRY YARD. 235 



Egg Bound. This may be caused by want of vitality in 

 the hen. See to the feeding ; give purgative, oil applied 

 with a feather, or a syringe, or more mechanical means 

 may be necessary to give relief. Be careful not to break 

 the egg while operating. 



Rupture, Abortion. Passing of discolored matter indi- 

 cates rupture, often caused to laying hens by their falling 

 from high roosts. Isolate the patient, and use remedies 

 same as for egg bound. 



Oil is destructive to insect life generally, and in the form 

 of kerosene, or some of the vegetable or animal oils, is 

 effective against them. 



The Moulting Time. A time of trial and risk to fowls. 

 It extends through March to July, and has much to do 

 with winter laying. When a hen begins to moult in March, 

 she is not likely to be in full plumage again until May or 

 June, and she cannot lay again till the moulting has been 

 completed. When the weather is mild, however, during 

 April, and the winter does not set in before May or June, 

 she has a longer rest, and may begin laying, and then 

 continue through the winter. Hence, this rule must not 

 be overlooked, that if the hens begin to lay before cold 

 weather they are likely to lay during the winter ; but 

 if cold days overtake them before they begin to moult, they 

 will probably not begin again before spring. 



Broody Hens. When not wanted for hatching, they 

 are looked on and treated as nuisances sometimes. Yet 

 it is a natural condition of hen life, and may be indulged to 



give the birds a rest, 

 by setting them on 

 two or three dummy 

 eggs. Kindly skill 

 and attention are 

 requisite to do the 

 right thing by them. 

 Cruelty is stupid, and 

 has the desired effect 

 less frequently than 

 iniury or death to 



Coop for Curing Cluckers. 1 , J * , , m . 



the clucker. The 



