PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



vulsions. Milk, white of egg, flaxseed, or sulphate of iron are recom- 

 mended as antidotes. 



Copper poisoning results from careless disposal of spray mixtures 

 containing copper sulphate. The symptoms are diarrhea of blue or 

 green color, prostration, convulsions, paralysis. Milk and white of egg 

 are antidotes. 



Lead and zinc poisoning resembles copper poisoning in symptoms. 

 Sulphate of soda is recommended as an antidote. 



Ergot poisoning occurs in feeding rye as a sole ration. The ergot 

 of rye is a serious poison and the symptoms are trembling, prostration, 

 and gangrene of comb and tongue. 



Quinine in one-grain capsules should be given daily. I have known 

 large flocks to be lost by this affection. The ergot is produced by a 

 fungus which infests the rye. This grain should not be fed to chickens. 



VI. Affections caused by improper feeds and feeding and 

 malnutrition 



Malnutrition is a failure in digestion and assimilation, so that the 

 fowl does not flourish. It may be due to weakness and failure of the 

 organs of digestion and assimilation, so that they do not function 

 properly, or it may be due to dietary deficiency. Weakness, emaciation 

 and loss of appetite are the symptoms. A balanced ration should be 

 provided and a tonic to stimulate the digestive organs. Use formula 

 No. 1. 



Asthenia is known as "going light" and is the result of dietary 

 deficiency or malnutrition, and is often produced by a specific germ. 

 It occurs in flocks where young stock is kept with older fowls in 

 crowded quarters. Those that fail to get adequate food become 

 emaciated. The symptoms are voracious appetite, increasing emacia- 

 tion, inflammation of the intestines, and constipation. Affected birds 

 should be isolated and given food rich in nutrients and a good tonic. 



Sore eyes arise from several causes. They may be a symptom of 

 one of several diseases, such as colds, roup, chicken pox, diphtheria and 

 favus. There seems to be an infectious disease of the eyes not asso- 

 ciated with other diseases. The eyelids become glued together and 

 there is an accumulation of pus in the eye. Another cause of eye 

 trouble is the irritation caused by the use of insecticides or liquid lice 

 killers. Still another cause is dietary deficiency. The food lacks in 

 vitamines, or growth principles, and sore eyes is a symptom. Some- 

 times the eye breaks down and sloughs away. 



All affected chicks or fowls should be isolated promptly and kept 

 in dry comfortable quarters. Open the eyelids and remove any accu- 

 mulation. Wash the eyes with a weak, tepid solution of creolin and 

 apply unguentine ointment which can be secured of any druggist in 

 collapsible tubes. Use permanganate of potash in drinking water and 

 feed a balanced ration with an abundance of green feed 



Beri-beri manifests itself in paralysis of the legs, and can be pro- 

 duced by feeding polished rice, or any diet deficient in Water Soluble B. 

 Another name of the disease is polyneuritis. 



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