A GUIDE FOR KEEPERS OF POULTRY 95 
Another way is to put the broody hens of a flock in a 
pen with a vigorous and active young cockerel. He will 
not allow them to sit and will cure their broodiness in 
three or four days, when they may be put back with 
their mates to get ready to begin laying again. 
BROKEN FEATHERS.—It frequently happens that 
the conspicuous feathers in the wings or tails of exhi- 
bition birds become broken by accident in such a way as 
to injure the show qualities of the birds. If this happens 
six weeks before the show season the feathers may be 
plucked out and will renew themselves nicely before 
time to show. The same process is often used where 
biack fowls show white or gray in primaries or wing 
feathers. The feathers are plucked out in time to re- 
new themselves before the bird is to be shown. This is 
not alwavs successful, however, as the writer knows 
from very recent experience. A Black Minorca cockerel 
showed white ina primary. This feather was plucked out 
and when it grew in again there was more white in it 
than there was in the original feather. 
BUMBLE-FOOT.—Bumble-foot is an ulceration aris- 
ing from a bruise in the sole of the foot in poultry. Its 
origin is the same as that of a stone bruise on a boy's 
foot. Heavy breeds which have perches too high from 
the floor frequently bruise their feet by jumping down 
on a hard floor. The remedy is to watch the swelling 
until it becomes somewhat soft in the center and then 
with a very sharp knife cpen it freely to release the pus 
that has formed under the thick skin of the sole of the 
foot. Wash with castile soap and water and hind up 
after applying carbolated vaseline. Keep the patient 
on soft litter away from other fowls for a few days. 
BUCKWHEAT.—This is considered a valuable con- 
