THE ABDOMEN 



Avoid this unsatisfactory condition by feeding a well balanced ration, 

 not trying to increase the egg yield by means of anything that does the 

 work by irritation of the egg organs. Know the condition of the bodies 

 of your birds and so feed to keep them in a laying state, but not over-fat. 

 Do not be afraid of a little fat during the winter months, but furnish suf- 

 ficient exercise to do all the stimulating needed. 



Dr. Woods gives this advice: "Fowls kept closely confined in cold 

 weather and not given a sufficient variety of food are expecially liable to 

 lay soft-sheUed eggs. The trouble may be due to some disturbance of the 

 egg organs or to improper food and careless feeding. , It usually responds 

 very promptly to treatment. 



"See that the birds are supplied with plenty of good grit and oyster 

 shell. Feed green food like scalded short-cut alfalfa or clover or scalded 

 dried beet pulp freely. Also give cabbages, beets and turnips fed raw 

 whenever they can be obtained. Feed a variety of good sound grain food 

 and some animal food. Five drops of fluid extract of ergot in a quart of 

 drinking water, allowing the birds no other drink, given on alternate days 

 for a week will usually entirely check fhis trouble, provided care is taken 

 to see that the birds get a sufficient supply of proper food." 



PERITONITIS 



Peritonitis, or an inflammation of the membrane covering the organs 

 in the abdomen and lining that cavity, is a serious and fatal disease. It 

 is seldom a disease originating in the membrane, but extends from some 

 other part or organ of the abdomen. Some outside violence may so irri- 

 tate the membrane as to precipitate trouble, but it is more likely to occur 

 from either the bursting of a blood vessel in the egg, or from tuberculosis. 



The fever in peritonitis runs high, from 105 to 110 degrees. The bird 

 is decidedly hot to the touch, especially over the bowels. There is much 

 uneasiness in the bird's motions, though, at the same time the tenderness 

 of the inflamed parts is extreme. As the inflammation progresses the bird 

 becomes weak, finally falling on its side with legs drawn close to the body. 

 The appetite is gone and breathing is difficult. 



These cases are seldom cured. Most of them are hopeless from the 

 start. Opium pills, one gi'ain each, given twice a day, will ease the pain 

 and quiet the bird. All foods should be liquid, milk and beef juice, and 

 will have to be fed to the bird. Equal parts of beef juice and milk, fed 

 warmed to blood heat, and given in tablespoonful doses three times a day, 

 will be the best you can do for diet. 



It is seldom, however, that a case recovers from peritonitis. 



BREAK-DOWN 



Break-down is easily recognized as the prominent "baggy-condition" 

 of two and three-year old hens. I have seldom seen it in pullets and never 

 in male birds. Break-down is the result of a corn diet. The birds are not 

 satisfied with the elements furnished in the corn and cornmeal and to supply 



77 



