DISEASES IN CHICKENS 233 



bottle it, and use in the proportion of one tea- 

 spoonfnl to a pint of water." At all times and 

 to all poultry this tonic may be given with ad- 

 vantage, particularly in the moulting season, or 

 when the birds have been weakened by exhibition. 



Chickens, especially Brahmas, suffer much 

 from slow feathering. In cold weather it is very 

 trying, and some will sink under it. The cure is 

 good housing and high feeding. Bread soaked in 

 ale, given once a day, or oftener, if not grudged ; 

 crushed bones, curd, eggs ; in fact, everything 

 that is conducive to strength and health. 



I have seen (fortunately not often) chickens suf- 

 fering from noxious animalcules, which literally 

 prey upon the bodies of the poor little things. It 

 maybe the mother has been too closely confined, or 

 perhaps not allowed daily access to her dust bath, 

 or the coop has not been cleansed sufiSciently often. 

 In any case, it shows bad management, for such 

 a disease should be unknown in a well-appointed 

 poultry-yard. The cure is simple enough — snuff 

 or sulphur dusted into the feathers of the hen 

 chickens ; but when the latter have suffered and 

 severely from the attacks of their enemies, and 



