CHAPTER XXXVIII 



EGG-BOUND 



Egg-bound is a condition of the egg passage af- 

 fecting more frequently hens of the heavier breeds. 

 Active fovi^ls, such as Leghorns, Minorcas, Cam- 

 pines, Hamburgs, Anconas, and others of the smaller 

 breeds are seldom troubled with this ailment. The 

 cause is attributed in most cases to an overfat con- 

 dition, which produces a pressure upon the egg 

 passage, resulting in the difficult performing of its 

 proper function. Sluggish fowls, those which have 

 been closely confined without being given the nec- 

 essary artificial exercise, are common prey to this 

 disease. 



Sometimes the muscular tissue is replaced by 

 streaks of fat, which weaken the muscles of the 

 egg passage and, by straining, the weak walls give 

 way, permitting the egg or its contents to pass 

 into the abdominal cavity. This condition produces 

 inflammation, followed by peritonitis. 



Occasionally the poultry raiser will find a dead 

 hen on the nest, which has died without an appar- 

 ent cause, but upon close investigation it will be 

 found that there was an egg-bound condition which 

 resulted in a weakening condition of the heart. The 

 fatty condition of the bird has affected the muscles 



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