LEGS AND FEET 



it all may be used while fairly fresh, and thus avoid waste that eomes from 

 having to throw away any because it is mixed with dirt or leaves^ Com- 

 mon cooking soda, one level teaspoonful to each quart of drinking water, 

 or salicylic acid one grain twice a day, has given good results with old birds, 

 but the iodide is the best and most satisfactory. 



SCALY-LEGS 



Scaly-leg and fish- skin disease resemble each other, but are totally 

 different in causation. The first is the result of the irritation of a parasite, 

 the second a constitutional defect. Scaly-leg is decidedly contagious, while 

 fish-skin disease is perfectly non-communicable. Scaly-leg does not appear 

 without the irritation due to a parasitic insect. This parasite comes from 

 another fowl, or possibly from an infected house or brooder, and works 

 its way in between the scales of shanks or toes. As a result the scales are 

 irritated, pushed apart, and dirt begins to accumulate. The irritation of 

 the filth, added to that of the parasite, produces a disgusting appearance of 

 the legs. Scaly-leg introduced into a flock well cared for does not do as 

 much mischief as when it appears in a lot of fowls kept in dirty houses. 

 Scaly-leg passes from diseased to well birds on the roost, or is contracted 

 by chicks when with the mother hen. A single case of scaly-leg on the plant 

 is a source of danger to every other bird. 



If a little of the scurvy looking material is scraped off and examined 

 under a magnifying glass, a few trials will surely show the little parasite. 

 Knowing what you have to handle, do not put off treatment, but clean 

 up the disease at once. Scaly-leg is so easy to cure that no intelligent 

 poultry man is excusable for its presence on his place for over a week. Every 

 bird bought ought to be examined for scaly-legs and any doubtful one re- 

 ceive immediate treatment. If you at any time find several cases on hand 

 I would advise the applying of the proper treatment to every bird on the 

 place. This is not much trouble and prevents the cropping out of new cases 

 in a short time. 



Treatment 



A good ointment to kill the parasite is made of one ounce of sulphur 

 and ten tablespoonfuls of lard or vaseline. Rub this into the rough parts 

 of the shanks and toes every other night for a week, and give one more ap- 

 plication about three weeks from the first treatment. 



Another good method of proceeding is to fill a common wooden pail 

 nearly full of water, adding one gill of kerosene oil carefully so it will float 

 on the surface. Then take each bird and dip both the legs down through 

 the oil into the water, holding for half a minute and then slowly with- 

 draw. Repeat the treatment in four, or five days. If the birds have feath- 

 ered shanks be very particular in drying the feathers, as they will bold the 

 oil and cause the bird much discomfort by irritating the legs. If the shanks 

 are allowed to soak in pure kerosene you are likely to have swelling 

 and infla,min^tipn of the parts. Avoid the danger of scaly-legs by keeping 



Si! 



