The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



lion of the loft. The feathers are dull and staring, tht 

 bird restless and uneasy. On examination the body will 

 be found covered with fine feathery scales even extend- 

 ing out on the shafts of the feathers. Removal to clean 

 quarters, a good, warm bath, and a regular daily bath 

 will generally cure the patient. Give hom. remedy cal- 

 carea carbonica. 



MOLTING 



This is not a disease but a natural process of chang- 

 ing their feathers which pigeons go through annually in 

 the fall of the year. When in a healthy, normal condi- 

 tion the change is so gradual that the)' are but little af- 

 fected by it. But sometimes it is slow and labored, and 

 the pigeon suffers accordingly, loses its appetite, and is 

 generally languid and inactive, and the shafts of the 

 feathers are dry, brittle, and hard. It is frequently of 

 benefit to pull both flights and tails ; this sometimes 

 seems to change the whole condition of the pigeon, and 

 the molting goes on more naturally and rapidly. Oily 

 foods are good at such a time, such as flax-seed, sun- 

 flower-seed, and hemp-seed. A little each day will do 

 much good. If the process is slow and tardy, give hom. 

 remedy calcarea carbonica. If much fever, aconite. A 

 little iron tonic in the water is at such times a great aid 

 to regular molting, also plenty of good food to keep up 

 their strength ; this combined with the bath and regular 

 exercise does more than medicine. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE OIL-GLAND 



This is a trouble usually attending some other dis- 

 eased conditions of the body, and has^ been previously 

 mentioned. The oil hardens in the gland at the root 

 of the tail and when examined the gland appears very 

 much distended and swollen. Apply warm water and 



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