184 EGG-BOUND 



be effective enough to relax the parts for the deliv- 

 ery of the egg, inject a small quantity of olive or 

 sweet oil. While the hen is undergoing this treat- 

 ment, feed her on soft, unstimulating foods, and 

 give her a half teaspoon ful of linseed oil every few 

 hours. After the egg has been removed should 

 there be any signs of inflammation, syringe the pas- 

 sage with a weak solution of carbolic acid. Keep 

 the fowl in a quiet place, away from the rest of the 

 flock. 



An overfatty condition is also the cause for the 

 laying of soft shelled eggs. Sometimes it is caused 

 by the over stimulation of the egg organs, brought 

 about by the overfeeding of too much spice, which 

 is apt to cause irritation of the egg passage. 



Closely confined fowls not supplied with a va- 

 riety of food are more liable to lay soft shelled eggs 

 than those having plenty of range or supplied with 

 exercise in an artificial way and fed a variety of 

 grains in a well-balanced ration. Oyster shells, grit, 

 and plenty of green foods will assist greatly in 

 preventing such conditions of the egg organs. 



If your hens are too fat provide a diet low in 

 fat-producing elements, make the birds work for 

 what they get, and put one teaspoonful of sulphate 

 of magnesia to every pint of drinking water twice 

 a week for a few weeks. 



Should the hens still persist in laying soft shelled 

 eggs add five drops of fluid extract of ergot to 



