BREEDING AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT 45 



to birds should be sound and sweet. Badly harvested 

 seed is responsible for many cases of weakness in birds. 



To prevent egg-binding, the hens all through the winter 

 should be given plenty of exercise by being kept in large 

 flights, their food should be good plain seed, as before 

 mentioned, a little egg food occasionally by way of a 

 change, and a regular supply of green food. I believe 

 strongly in green food as a natural conditioner. Birds 

 cannot be kept healthy and well without it, or some 

 substitute such as sweet apple or boiled carrot. Both of 

 the latter may be given in slices, which may be fixed in 

 the wires of the cages, or the carrot may be mixed up 

 in a mortar with some soaked bread and given in the 

 form of soft food, when so given a pinch of salt may be 

 added to it, the birds will then eat it with added relish 

 and it will further have a good effect upon their blood. 



The giving of a little inga seed occasionally for a month 

 or so before the birds are mated, and after they are 

 mated is held by many to prevent egg-binding. The 

 giving of a teaspoonful of scalded rape seed given for 

 two or three days before the eggs are expected is said 

 by some to be the best of all preventives of egg-binding. 

 But in the way of food the liberal use of green food is, 

 I am persuaded, one of the best safeguards against 

 egg-binding. 



Another preventive is the placing of a few drops of 

 glycerine in the drinking water two or three times a 

 week for a month before the birds are mated and after, 

 until such time as the eggs make their appearance. So 

 much for preventive measures. This brings us to the 

 treatment of the complaint. 



No Need to be Alarmed. 



When the birds have finished nesting, the hen will 

 gradually develop rotundity of the abdomen. This is 

 due to changes in the reproductive organs necessary 

 to successful parentage, and as the time approaches 

 when the eggs may be expected she will become quieter 

 in her movements, and will sit about in the nest, or on 

 the edge thereof. You need not be alarmed at this. 

 It is only natural. If she appears in good health and 

 hops out of the nest when you approach the cage, or is 



