HEALTH AND SANITATION 23I 



satisfactory. One man who has incubated more 

 than 30,000 eggs during the last few years has re- 

 duced his losses from white diarrhea to less than, 

 1 per cent; in fact, during the last two years the 

 trouble has been almost unknown in his yards. 



Foremost among preventive measures is the selec- 

 tion of healthy, mature stock, which has not been 

 forced to produce eggs for market prior to the use 

 of eggs for hatching purposes. These birds should 

 be kept in strictest cleanliness, with abundant fresh 

 air, and an opportunity to exercise, preferably on 

 free range. Food and water supplied should be 

 such as the poultryman himself would be willing 

 to eat or drink. 



After the chicks are hatched the trouble may 

 arise from improper management, either in feeding 

 or brooding. The chicks should not be disturbed 

 for at least 48 hours after hatching, nor should they 

 be fed during this time. The yolk has been sur- 

 rounded and is sufficient food to keep them going 

 for several days. In fact, some poultrymen say 

 that chicks will not starve if left without food for 

 ten days. However, three days is recognized by 

 men who ship day-old chicks for considerable dis- 

 tances. One of the very worst practices is to feed 

 grit to chicks just out of the shell, as it is sure to 

 irritate their tender intestinal membranes. Most 

 important during these early days is water. .This 

 should always be pure and in abundance. 



FEATHER PULLING 



Feather pulling, a so-called bad habit, is fre- 

 quently observed in poultry yards during the late 

 winter and early spring. Many people believe it to 



