90 Diseases of Poultry 



Less corn should be given and more green food added to the 

 ration. The birds should be compelled to exercise more. 

 If it is at all possible they should be gotten out of doors part 

 of each day. They should have plenty of fresh air day and 

 night. 



These general remedial measures are only those which 

 should be practiced at all times as a matter of general 

 hygiene. When a flock has once become badly affected with 

 some form of liver disease it cannot be expected that the 

 changed conditions will remedy all of the trouble at once. 

 The causes which have led to the diseased condition have 

 been acting for a long time and it is only reasonable to expect 

 that it will take some time to get the birds back into normal 

 health again. Some birds will continue to become sick and 

 die, even several weeks after the corrective measures have 

 been put into operation. Robinson ^ advises disposing of 

 the entire flock when they have been through a serious 

 attack of liver disease and replacing them with healthy stock. 

 This seems to be a more drastic measure than necessary 

 unless the attack has been very bad indeed. Many other 

 things, such as the value of the particular strain, the possi- 

 bility of replacing the flock with as well bred birds, etc., 

 should be considered. 



With regard to the special diseases already mentioned the 

 one most commonly met with, on intensive plants at least, is 



Hypertrophy or Enlargement of the Liver 



The cause of this trouble is chiefly concerned with food. 

 In our climate it occurs most frequently towards the end of 

 the winter. The birds have been confined to their houses 

 most or all of the winter months. Very often they are over- 



1 Robinson, J. H., "The Common Sense Poultry Doctor." 

 Boston, 1910. 



