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as is the case with most other farm animals. General health of 

 fowls depends very largely upon the number of disease germs 

 they carry. They, like human beings, can withstand and ward 

 off disease when only carrying a limited number, but when the 

 system becomes overloaded the germs get the upper hand and 

 disease follows. Isolate sick birds as soon as detected, no mat- 

 ter what the symptoms are, and as long as they remain in the 

 detention coop always care for the flock before tending the sick 

 ones, and thus avoid the possibility of further contamination. 



Disinfectants and Medicines. 



There are very few things of this kind that the average back 

 yard poultry keeper needs. It is necessary to have a good dis- 

 infectant; most of the coal tar products on the market are 

 suitable, and if used according to directions will prove satis- 

 factory. Standard disinfectant is one of the cheapest and 

 most reliable. It should be used in a 3 per cent solution. A 

 great many people make a mistake by throwing only a light 

 spray of disinfectants. They should be used freely or until 

 the materials sprayed are well soaked or the disinfectant stands 

 in drops. The above is recommended for spraying at the annual 

 housecleaning time, or disinfecting equipment and utensils gen- 

 erally. For painting the roosts and adjacent parts for mites use 

 8 parts kerosene and 1 part crude carbolic acid, or any of the 

 coal tar disinfectants such as the Standard. This should be 

 applied freely with a brush. About the only medicines that one 

 should keep are epsom salts, sweet oil and possibly carbolated 

 vaseline. 



Annual Housecleaning. 



Remove all utensils and movable equipment such as roosts, 

 droppings board, nest boxes, broody coops, etc.; sweep the 

 walls and ceiling of the house very carefully, removing all dust 

 and cobwebs. The litter and sand should be spread on the 

 garden, as it is valuable for fertilizer. Then give the walls 

 another sweeping after which spray thoroughly with disinfect- 

 ant. The utensils should be washed, disinfected and dried 

 thoroughly before putting back. Two or three pails of scalding 

 water and a broom will do wonders in destroying germs, lice, 



