134 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



The treatment is simple. Let the swelling be opened by a lancet, and 

 the matter gently squeezed out; afterward foment well with warm 

 water ; put the bird upon a diet of oatmeal and green vegetables, and, 

 if necessary, give a teaspoonful of castor-oil. Be sure that the roosting- 

 place is clean and well ventilated. 



Moulting. — This process is natural, and consists in the gradual exchange 

 of old feathers for new ones. Nevertheless it often happens that birds 

 in a state of domestication have not sufficient vital energy for the 

 accomplishment of the change. They require improved diet, warmth, 

 and good water. Of course their roosting-place must be properly sheltered 

 and ventilated. A grain or two of cayenne pepper, made into a pill with 

 bread, may be given daily with advantage. Saffron is useless ; but a nail, 

 or any bit of iron may be put into the drinking-trough, in order to render 

 the water chalybeate. 



Fowls are subject to a loss of feathers, which must not be confounded 

 with moulting. At first the plumage appears ruffled and disarranged ; 

 then the feathers begin to drop out, and continue to fall till the bird is 

 greatly denuded. In the mean time it is dull and destitute of appetite, 

 and becomes thin and feeble. This disease is most common among 

 poultry kept in a limited space, debarred from exercise and fresh air, 

 with a wet soil beneath them, having little or no gravel, nor any dust- 

 ing-place in which to clean their plumage : it is analogous to the mange 

 in cattle, and is not easily cured. A change of diet, good air, cleanliness, 

 and a dusting-place (or, as some call it, a dust-bath), are essential. Some 

 recommend* small quantities of sulphur and nitre rnixed with butter to 

 be daily given. 



As the successful treatment of diseases may sometimes depend on 

 promptitude, it may be useful for every poultry-keeper to have a con- 

 venient supply of a few simple medicines. The following may be named 

 as rather suggestive than complete : — 1. jalap, in fifteen-grain powders; 

 2. hydr. cum cretS,, in three and five-grain doses ; 3. cod-liver oil ; 

 4. cocoa-nut oil ; 5, flour of brimstone ; 6. Baily's roup pills. 



In cases where inflammation is suspected, the hydr. cum cretk is 

 pronounced by the best judges to be a valuable medicine. To a grown 

 fowl five grains, with from five to fifteen grains of jalap (according to 

 the strength of the dose required), may be given. Jalap is a very good 

 .poultry medicine. Cocoa-nut oil and flour of brimstone make perhaps 

 the best ointment for white comb, and one which is less disfiguring to 

 the plumage than turmeric. Baily's roup pills are almost universally 

 known and appreciated. 



SHIPPING POUITEY AND EGGS.— Messrs. Charles K. Huntington & Co., 

 produce commission merchants in New York, give the following direc- 

 tions as to slaughtering and shipping poultry and eggs : — 



Food in the crop injures the appearance, is liable to sour, and pur- 

 chasers object to this worse than useless weight : therefore keep from 

 food twenty-four hours before killing. Opening the veins in the neck is 

 the best mode of killing. If the head be taken off at first, the skin will 

 recede from the neck-bone, presenting a repulsive appearance. Most 

 of the poultry sent to this market is "scalded" "or wet-picked," but 

 ''dry-picked" is preferred by a few, and sells, to a limited extent only, 



