18 PARADISE VALLEY POULTRY RANCH 



times turns dark, and it is from this symptom that the name blackhead 

 originated; this is an unfortunate term, as the head often does not turn 

 dark, and, even tho it does, it merely indicates that the bird is sick from 

 some ailment that may or may not be blackhead. On opening a turkey 

 that has died of blackhead, one or both of the ceca or "blind guts" are 

 found to be enlarged and plugged with a cheesy material, and the liver is 

 more or less covered with spots varying in color from grayish-white to 

 yellow. 



As in the case of all other infectious diseases, the sick bird should 

 immediately be removed from the flock to prevent a further spread of the 

 disease, and if very sick it is best to kill it and burn the body. Clean out 

 the roosting place and spread lime in places most frequented by the 

 turkeys. Keep a disinfectant in the drinking water; potassium perman- 

 ganate is most often used, a sufficient quantity of the crystals being added 

 to give the water a wine color, which, for every gallon of water, will take 

 about as much of the chemical as can be placed on a dime. If the turkeys 

 are being fed heavily, their ration should be reduced, as overfeeding pre- 

 disposes to the disease. The feeding of sour milk has been found of ad- 

 vantage in keeping turkeys in good health and in reducing the activities 

 of the organism causing blackhead. Free range and care not to overfeed 

 are most important. 



CHICKEN POX 



Chicken pox is quite often found among turkeys, particularly when 

 they are raised with fowls. It is characterized by scabby eruptions about 

 the head and spreads quite rapidly from one bird to another. The affected 

 birds should be removed from the flock, the scabs soaked off with warm 

 water, and the sores washed with an antiseptic, such as a two per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid or of potassium permanganate. 



ROUP 



Roup is more common among fowls than among turkeys, but the 

 latter are sometimes affected, particularly when they are exposed to drafts 

 and dampness. The first symptoms of roup are those of a common cold, 

 and later a swelling usually develops just below the eyes, giving rise to 

 the name "swell head". Roup is very contagious, and any infected bird 

 should be isolated and the mouth and nostrils washed out with an anti- 

 septic; if there is a swelling under the eyes, it should be opened and the 

 material that has formed there be squeezed out; also, the cavity should be 

 washed with an antiseptic. 



In most cases it is advisable to kill any bird sick with anything of a 

 contagious or infectious nature, rather than to attempt treatment and run 

 the risk of spreading the disease. 



LICE 



Lice are among the most important causes of the high mortality among 

 young poults, those badly infested becoming gradually weaker and weaker 

 until they die. Head lice cause most of the trouble and are found close to 

 the skin upon the top of the head, above and in front of the eyes and under 

 the throat. Small white lice are also found along the wing bar among the 

 quills of the feathers and occasionally are found below the vent. By 

 dusting the hen when she is set, with some good lice powder, it is a very 

 easy matter to prevent lice from getting a foothold among the Doults. If 

 this is not done, the poults are almost certain to have lice. The poults 

 should be examined carefully every few days, and if lice are found about the 

 head a small quantity of lard should be rubbed over the affected parts. 

 This kills the lice by closing their breathing pores. The lice found among 

 the quill feathers along the wing bar and below the vent are more active 

 than the head lice and do not remain so close to the skin. Should body 

 lice be found, the poults should be dusted carefully under the wings and 

 below the vent, about once a week, until the pests are exterminated. 



