AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 
shelled egg or drop several eggs at one time (in 
different stages of development) because she is 
unable to retain the egg until it is fully developed. 
A hen in general good condition recovers quickly 
from such a mishap (miscarriage) if placed by 
herself for a few days and fed lightly and mostly 
on green stuff. - 
Double eggs may be laid by an overfat hen, or 
they may be due to the occasional outcropping of 
an hereditary tendency to produce twins. 
Egg-eating is a bad habit, which is the result of 
overcrowding, lack of exercise, lack of animal food 
in the ration, or the use of nests open to the light. 
This habit is difficult to cure after it has been well 
learned, and often the hatchet is the safest and 
best remedy. Otherwise, correct the conditions 
mentioned above and allow the hens to partake 
of a few eggs well treated with cayenne pepper. 
Feather Pulling is another bad habit, which re- 
sults from overcrowding and insufficient exercise, 
or a ration deficient in meat or animal matter. 
Kill the hens that are the most persistent at it. 
Feed large quantities of meat and green food and 
give a little salt each day. 
Frosted Comb or Wattles. Frost bite is deter- 
mined by stiffness and purple color of the frozen 
parts, which later change to black color and finally 
may drop off. Thaw them out gradually with 
snow or cold water, and apply several times a day 
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