A REVOLl'TION IN EGG PRODUCTION ]3 



flock of young Plymouth Rocks, three months old, which, 

 unaccountably and all at once, developed great looseness of 

 the bowels. Two birds were found dead, and some others in 

 bad shape. The flock had apparently enjoyed good health, 

 and even as bad as they then looked, did not have a diseased 

 appearance. Thinking back in an attempt to discover the 

 cause of the trouble, he remembered they had drank great 

 quantities of water the day before; and he then remembered 

 that the family had partaken of salted herrings, and, on inquir- 

 ing, found that the bones and other parts of the herrings, 

 which were left over, had been thrown out to the fowls ; hence, 

 exceeding thirst, inordinate drinking of water, and the fatal 

 looseness of the bowels. A hurried trip to the drug store for 

 material, and Douglas Mixture made and given to the fowls, 

 saved every one of the balance of the flock. Two days after- 

 ward not a sign of the trouble was to be seen. Without quick 

 action every bird would have been lost. 



Simple colds may be caused by openings creating a draft, 

 and these openings should be attended to at once. Neglected 

 colds and contamination of the water soon lead to roup, and 

 demoralization of the flock. 



If eggs are laid with soft shells, or a tendency develops 

 for &gg eating, look to the supply of oyster shells in the 

 hoppers. 



The quality and quantity of green feed has a big influence 

 on digestion, and its derangement. Cabbage is a good winter 

 feed, but if overfed to fowls is likely to scour them. 



What to Feed 



For the small poultryman it is sometimes quite a problem 

 to decide what to feed. The grains or meals available in the 

 local market may be very restricted, and if he confines him- 

 self to such a market, it may seriously affect his returns, 

 because of the poor or unbalanced rations fed. 



Commercial poultry food can, however, be secured now 

 in all parts of the country ; and, in the writer's opinion, should 

 be used — especially by the small producer, who either cannot 

 secure the necessary ingredients to do his own mixing, or has 

 not the knowledge to decide what is needed in the ration. 



