FEATHER EATING—FEATHER PULLING IN BIRDS o57 



urates. Piperazin is highly recommended to prevent the 

 development of the urates in the tissues (chickens, 0.2 to 

 1.0; pigeons, 0.1 to 0.4; dogs, 0.5 to 1.0). Small doses are 

 to be given three times daily and continued for several 

 days. Internal administration of sodium salicylate has been 

 tried with fairly good results. Local applications of menthol, 

 or salicylic acid should be used. Effect a solution and apply 

 to affected joint on absorbent cotton. When the nodules 

 become large they should be opened, curetted and an anti- 

 septic pack applied. 



FEATHER EATING. FEATHER PULLING IN BIRDS. 



A condition observed very commonly in caged birds, 

 canaries and parrots, but also in chickens, turkeys and 

 pigeons. 



Etiology. — (a) It may be the result of improper food. 

 Feeding the same materials for a long period, or foods in which 

 there is a deficiency of certain nutritive elements is a cause. 

 Confinement of birds in close quarters predispose to it, 

 partly through lack of exercise, and partly to a narrowing 

 of the feed ration. (6) It is often considered a vice or habit. 

 Fighting or picking at each other starts the vice, (c) Results 

 from skin diseases, especially from parasitic conditions (lice, 

 fleas, mange mites). The irritation from the parasite leads 

 to picking at the skin and feathers. Feathers will drop out 

 as a result of certain diseased conditions. 



Symptoms.— Birds are observed to be pulling out their 

 own feathers or of those confined with them. Bald spots will 

 be noticed on different parts of the body. Often large areas 

 are denuded. Careful observation of a flock reveals the 

 situation. In skin diseases the feathers fall out which can 

 easily be distinguished from feather pulling. The skin 

 lesions will assist in making the differentiation. 



Treatment. — Birds confined, especially chickens, turkeys 

 and pigeons, should be given freer range. Complete change 

 of food will have an important bearing on overcoming the 

 condition. Feed plenty of oyster shell, bone meal, meat 

 scrap, dried blood, etc., with green foods to supply the 



