DISEASES AND PESTS OF FOWLS 
not treated, and that probably starts where 
there is an abrasion of the skin. 
Treatment. ‘Treat in early stages of the 
disease by dressing with sulphur ointment. 
(See page 9.) Isolate bird. If the case 
has been neglected and allowed to develop, 
the crusts must first be moistened with oil 
and the surface scraped off with a blunt 
instrument. Then apply tincture of iodine 
or nitrate of silver. 
FEATHER-EATING 
Not a very common habit 
Symptoms. The presence of bare patches 
and injured plumage on birds should lead 
the poultryman to watch for feather-eaters. 
Cause. Irritation from insects, some 
defect in diet, or natural cussedness. 
Treatment. Isolate the offender, and, if 
persistent and of no special value, kill, for 
fear the bad example may be followed by 
others. If several fowls develop this vice, 
try hanging up a bone for them to peck at 
and thus distract their attention. 
b7 
