192 POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



r 



"If the breeding stock proves infected there are two courses 

 of procedure open; (a) market the entire flock or refrain from 

 using their eggs for hatching, or (b) install trap nests in the 

 breeding pens and by means of accurate pedigree records ascer- 

 tain which individual hens are producing infected chicks, and re- 

 move such hens from the breeding flock." 



"Since infection may be brought upon the place through pur- 

 chased eggs or stock, such purchases should be made from farms 

 where bacillary white diarrhea is not common." 



"If bacillary white diarrhea is known to be present on the 

 place steps should be taken to prevent the spread of the infec- 

 tion, and, if possible, to effect a cure. (As to the latter we do 

 not feel justified in offering any suggestions at this time)." 



"Prevention. Since the disease cannot, apparently, be trans- 

 mitted through the food supply after the chicks have reached 

 the age of 3 or 4 days, every means should be pursued to pre- 

 vent the spread of the infection during this critical period. We 

 suggest : 



The segregation of the chicks in small lots during this interval. 



Perfect disinfection and cleanliness of brooders and brooder 

 coops. 



Food and water supplied in such a manner as to prevent con- 

 tamination by the droppings." 



"The use in the brooder of a liberal amount of fine, absorp- 

 tive litter which will quickly cover and seal up the droppings."* 



"Raise and maintain the vigor and vitality of the breeding 

 stock and chicks by every reasonable means known to the poul- 

 tryman." 



Leg Weakness. 

 The term "leg weakness" is sometimes used by poultrymen 

 to indicate the lameness due to rheumatism in adult birds. Re- 

 garding this form of the disease see p. 123. The more usual 

 use of the term "leg weakness" is to denote a disease or ailment 

 which is found in growing chicks, from i month to 6 months 

 of age. It is said to be more common among cockerels than pul- 

 lets and is more frequent in the heavier than the lighter breeds. 

 The chief cause of the trouble seems to be that in birds growing 

 rapidly and fed heavily the weight sometimes increases faster 



*For this purpose we have used alfalfa meal with much satisfaction. 



