RELIABLE POULTRY REMEDIES 



is used there is less danger of losses from bowel troubles or kindred ailments 

 than when mash or dough is fed. Oyster shell and marble dust grit should 

 be avoided for small chicks, since these have a tendency to promote bowel 

 trouble. Pure, fresh water, in clean founts, a little pure charcoal and a 

 good chick grit should be kept where the chicks can always have access to 

 them. Some meat food and a plentiful supply of fresh green stuff are also 

 essential to the proper development of the chick. 



With good care and wholesome food at the start, the healthy chick will 

 invariably thrive, since it is its natural tendency to live and grow, notwith- 

 standing the fact that some writers apparently would have us believe that 

 most chicks are born into this world to die within the first two weeks after 

 hatching. 



A standing still in the growth of young chicks should always be looked 

 upon as a danger signal, warning the grower that there is some important 

 matter that needs immediate attention. Chilling and over-heating the 

 chicks must be avoided it losses are prevented. The aim should be to keep 

 the chicks just warm enough, comfortable, busy and well fed. The presence 

 of vermin must not be tolerated, since it is not possible to raise a good flock 

 of healthy chicks and a big crop of lice and mites at the same time. The 

 vermin generally come out ahead, while the chicks suffer. Everyone is 

 liable to make mistakes, and some of them the sturdy chick with inherent 

 healthy tendencies will overcome, and it will grow in spite of them, but mis- 

 takes, once discovered, should be rectified, since Ei repetition of them is al- 

 most invariably fatal. 



COMMON CAUSES OF DISEASE 



Unsanitary surroundings, vermin, dampness, crowding, impure water, 

 improper food, neglect and want of exercise are all predisposing causes of 

 disease. It does not matter whether it is a germ disease or not, when sub- 

 jected to such conditions even a strong, sound constitution is liable to break 

 down. All are preventable, and there is no' excuse for the existence of any 

 one of them on a well ordered poultry plant. 



LOCATION AND VENTILATION OF BUILDINGS 



A poultry plant should be located on well-drained land, and the build- 

 ings should be well-built, roomy, dry and not too low studded It is the 

 best plan to provide for ventilation by opening the doors and windows, ar- 

 ranging them so that the house can be tightly closed whenever necessary. 

 Ventilators are seldom, if ever, satisfactory, and are almost certain to create 

 drafts. Fowls sleeping in drafty roosting quarters are certain to become the 

 victims of colds. Colds lead to other troubles, and the result is loss to the 

 owner. The buildings should be tight and warm. The windows should be 

 made to open so that the house can be given a thorough airing daily. If, 

 after the house is made tight and is thoroughly ventilated daily by opening 

 the doors and windows (the length of time to be governed by the weather 

 conditions), it still seems to need ventilation, you may be certain that you 



