ENTERITIS 



481 



Egg Eating.^This is a pernicious iiabit that is almost always 

 the result of accidents, though the accidents are very often due 

 to the carelessness or ignorance of the keeper. Cramped nests 

 or an insufficient number of nests are generally responsible for 

 broken eggs, the hens taste them, form a liking for them, and 

 thenceforth eat them whenever an opportunity presents itself. 

 The ringleaders should be caught and broken of the habit, even 

 if they have to be killed for the table. If not, they are sure to 

 set a bad example to the rest of the flock. This trouble will 



(Courtesy Atlantic Farm) 



Fig. 302. — Ducks require low fences, which make it possible for the attendant 

 to walk from yard to yard without the bother of entrance gates. 



spread through a flock much the same as Cannibalism or Feather- 

 eating. As a precautionary measure, install your nests in ac- 

 cordance with the best practices, as described in the chapter on 

 poultry house fittings. 



Enteritis. — ^This disease is caused by irritant poisons or bac- 

 teria, which develop an inflammation of the mucous membrane 

 of the intestines. The fowls have poor appetite, roughness of 

 feathers, pale comb, and their excrement is of a greenish color, 

 or bluish green. The trouble is almost always fatal if .allowed 

 to reach an advanced stage. Administer nitrate of bismuth,. 

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