CHAPTER IX. 



THE DISEASES OE PHEASANTS, 



'HEASANTS in a state of nature are particularly hardy. Being bred, 

 as they generally are, from strong healthy parents, the few 

 weakly chickens that are produced die under that benerolent 

 arrangement which has been so justly termed the survival of the 

 fittest in the struggle for life. Consequently the most vigorous 

 remain as brood stock, and propagate a healthy offspring. Never- 

 theless, in some seasons, particularly during those that are wet, the 

 j„ . young birds are affected by certain epidemic diseases that are difficult 



either to prevent or cure ; amongst the first of these may be mentioned cold or 

 catarrh, which is generally caused by an undue amount of wet weather acting on 

 birds enfeebled by too close interbreeding, or by errors in the dietary and general 

 management, such as undue exposure to cold winds. All that can be recommended 

 in case of the young birds being thus afflicted is warm, dry shelter, and the addition 

 of a little stimulating food, as bread soaked in ale, and spiced with any ordinary 

 condiment, such as cayenne or common pepper, and the moistening of the oatmeal, 

 or other soft food, with a solution of a quarter of an ounce of sulphate of iron in 

 a quart of water, using enough to give the meal an inky taste. 



Cold often runs on to roup, in which the discharge from the nostrils becomes 

 purulent and infectious; in this case, the best mode of treatment is to endeavour 

 to stamp out the disease by removing and destroying the affected birds instantly,, 

 and preventing them affecting others. 



Scrofulous diseases, such as tubercles in the lungs and liver, are the result 

 of breeding from weak stock, from overcrowding on the same ground, and from 

 close interbreeding. The remedies suggest themselves ; all that is required is the 

 employment of strong, healthy stock birds, the removal to fresh untainted ground, 

 and, if necessary, an introduction of fresh blood into the aviary or preserves. 



Cramp in young birds is often caused by a wet, cold season, and can only be 

 remedied by dryness, shelter, and good feeding. In some cases false bottoms to the 

 coops, raised two inches off the ground, have been fotind very advantageous. 



M 



