Because of their rapid growth and the small quantity of grain they con- 

 sume geese will be found one of the most profitable kind of stock that can 

 be kept on the farm. 



POULTRY DISEASES 



The diseases of poultry are much the same as those of the human family. 

 Not only that, but the causes are about the same. They can be traced to 

 unsanitary conditions, improper feeding, impure drinking water, or exposure. 



The continuous feeding of strong carbonaceous' foods, or feeding too 

 much of one kind of food, or a lack of animal food, or green foods in the 

 winter, and then in the spring eating too heavily of grass, etc., all contribute 

 to poultry disease. Impure water is also a frequent factor. To the above 

 causes may often be traced Indigestion, Crop-bound and Cholera. If fowls 

 are forced to roost in crowded quarters, they are chilled when they go out 

 in the morning and colds ensue which, in turn, cause Roup, the scourge of 

 the poultry yard. Another source of disease is lice — the greatest of all 

 causes of trouble. They soon deplete the vitality of the fowls, making them 

 susceptible to colds and other forms of disease. This is particularly notice- 

 able at moulting time. 



It would be folly for us to go on and tell you how to cure disease before 

 stating that very much can be done in the way of prevention. It is so 

 much easier to prevent than it is to cure that we call your attention to our 

 article on NOX-I-CIDE, the foe of germ life, on page 71 of this book. 



Diseases of the Respiratory Organs 



ROUP 



Nearly every pouitryman has had experience with this most dreaded 

 ■''sease. The ravages of Roup often amount to an epiderAc. In such cases 

 it is often termed "Cholera" for, among the larger nvimber of poultry raisers, 

 any dangerous disease is called "Cholera" when, in truth, there is but one 

 similarity between the two diseases which is that either is pretty sure to 

 terminate fatally if left to itself. While Roup may occur at any season of 

 the year, it is most common during the late fall months, early winter, and 

 the frosty days of spring. 



CAUSE — Roup generally gets its 

 start with a cold which may be con- 

 tracted in various ways, such as ex- 

 posure to cold rains or disagreeable 

 weather; by drafts of air blowing direct- 

 ly on the roosts ; through improperly 

 constructed or poorly maintained houses ; 

 or tbe evils of overcrowding. Where 

 fowls or young chicks are allo\ved to 

 overcrowd at night they become heated 

 and then, when they go out in the chill 

 of the morning, they catch a cold which 

 soon develops into Roup. This disease 

 is also hastened by accumulations of 

 filth in and about the poultry houses, as 

 this condition promotes all classes of 

 disease. Lack of proper ventilation is 

 another great cause of Roup. The foul 



32 



Illustration No. 20. 

 Fowl with Roup. 



