POULTRY 451 



Roup. This is but another name for a kind of con- 

 tagious catarrh among poultry which closely resembles in- 

 fluenza, or grippe, in man. Roup is thought to be contracted 

 only by contact with infected birds. It attacks the mem- 

 branes of the eye, mouth and throat, causing inflammation 

 and a sticky discharge. The disease is accompanied by 

 high fever. Roup may be brought into the flock by newly 

 purchased birds, by fowls that have been taken to poultry 

 shows, or by pigeons and other wild birds. 



Roup is one of few poultry diseases that may be suc- 

 cessfully treated. The sick fowl should be separated from 

 the flock and given a warm, dry, well-ventilated place. All 

 the affected parts should be washed with some antiseptic 

 mixture. This may be done with a spray, or by plunging 

 the head into the liquid wash. The following are suitable 

 washes : 



1. Boric acid, 1 ounce; water, 1 quart, or 



2. Permanganate of potash, 1 dram; water, 1 quart, or 



3. Peroxide or hydrogen 1 ounce; water, 3 ounces. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Taking into account both what the chickens on your 

 farm are fed and what they pick up, make a list of what 

 goes into the ration of your flock. Compare with the ra- 

 tions given in the chapter. Is any element lacking in what 

 your chickens are getting ? 



2. Estimate as carefully as you can the value of the 

 feed given your chickens in one year; now estimate the 

 value of the eggs and meat yielded by your flock. What 

 do you conclude ? Would it pay to keep a strict account of 

 the expense and income of your flock for several months or 

 a year, so you would know how you are coming out ? 



3. Estimate as closely as you can the number of eggs 

 produced in a year by your flock. How many eggs does 

 this average per hen ? Is this a good average ? 



4. If the average egg production from your flock is 

 low, what is the cause: breed, age, care, or feeding? What 



