The  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
Chicks  With  Leg  Weakness 
'What  is  the  cause  of  young  chicks 
losing  the  use  of  legs?  They  seem  all 
right  other  ways,,  but  cannot  walk.  Can 
it  be  cured?  I  have  had  hens  the  same 
way,  but  they  were  incurable. 
New  York  w.  L.  h. 
If  you  refer  to  brooder  chicks,  the 
most  common  cause  is  probably  too  long- 
continued  confinement  within  doors  and 
upon  board  floors.  Chicks  will  not  en¬ 
dure  such  confinement  for  more  than 
about  two  weeks  without  evidence  of 
“leg-weakness.”  The  remedy  is  to  get 
them  out  upon  the  ground  as  soon  as  pos¬ 
sible  after  hatching,  giving  them  a  clean 
run  upon  grass  when  this  is  practicable, 
but  access  to  the  ground,  at  any  rate. 
Older  chicks  and  mature  fowls  also 
show  “leg-weakness”  at  times;  growing 
cockerels  several  months  of  age  being  es¬ 
pecially  liable  to  the  trouble.  The  symp¬ 
toms  of  trouble  may  be  confined  solely  to 
inability  to  stand  and  the  trouble  may 
from  what  you  say,  your  having  any 
contagious  disease  in  the  flock  and  pre¬ 
sume  that  you  will  lose  only  those  birds 
that  are  individually  affected  instead  of 
being  the  victims  of  some  flock  contagion. 
There  may,  of  course,  be  moi’e  to  this 
than  you  have  observed  or  described.  The 
mere  symptom  of  dark  combs  is  not  suf¬ 
ficient  to  base  any  positive  diagnosis 
upon.  m.  B.  D. 
Cockerel  With  Leg  Weakness 
I  have  a  Jersey  Giant  cockerel,  early 
April  hatch,  whose  feet  seem  to  have 
outgrown  his  body,  the  shanks  of  the  legs 
being  large  and  apparently  somewhat 
swollen,  although  they  do  not  feel  puffy, 
llis  legs  are  weak,  so  that  he  crouches 
down  after  standing  erect  for  a  minute 
or  so.  Otherwise  he  seems  in  good 
health,  his  comb  and  eyes  being  bright 
and  his  appetite  good.  I  have  separated 
him  from  the  rest  of  the  flock  and  am 
trying  to  build  up  his  body  to  match  his 
legs,  by  giving  him  as  much  feed  as  he 
A  Well-trained  Flock  of  Leghorns 
disappear  within  a  few  days  without 
treatment.  I  do  not  know  the  cause  of 
this  disorder.  In  mature  fowls,  over¬ 
feeding,  rheumatism,  and  weakness  from 
some  internal  disease  may  cause  loss  of 
use  of  the  legs,  there  being  no  one  dis¬ 
order  responsible  in  all  cases,  m.  b.  d. 
Air  Blisters  in  Turkeys 
Two  of  my  turkeys  have  blisters  under 
their  wings  that  puff  up  and  drop  as 
they  breathe.  They  are  not  filled  with 
any  fluid,  but  seem  to  fill  up  with  air. 
One  has  blackhead  for  which  I  am  treat¬ 
ing  it.  I  have  given  the  ipecac  powdered 
and  also  turpentine  as  preventives  since 
three  weeks  old — one  is  eight  weeks  old 
and  the  sickest  one  is  10.  I  am  giving  all 
the  turkeys  catechu  in  sour-milk  to  pre¬ 
vent  cholera.  J.  E.  R. 
New  York. 
Air  sometimes  escapes  from  the  air 
passages  of  birds  and  accumulates  in 
swelling  beneath  the  skin.  These  may  be 
punctured  with  a  needle,  allowing  the 
air  to  escape,  and  frequently  no  se¬ 
rious  harm  to  the  fowl  ensues.  In  the 
cases  you  describe,  however,  it  seems 
likely  that  there  is  a  direct  connection 
between  some  internal  air  passage  and 
the  “blister,”  since  this  latter  fluctuates 
in  size  with  the  breathing  of  the  bird. 
This  connection  may  come  from  the  rup¬ 
ture  of  some  internal  organ  of  respira- 
.  tion  or  be  merely  a  freak  of  development. 
I  should  let  the  air-filled  enlargements 
alone,  trusting  to  nature  to  take  care 
of  the  difficulty.  M.  B.  D. 
Black  Comb 
A  while  ago  I  bought  a  flock  of  White 
Leghorn  hens,  and  they  are  doing  well 
so  I  bought  some  more.  I  sorted  out 
some  that  I  thought  were  good  layers,  but 
there  is  one  among  them  that  has  a  very 
dark  comb,  and  afterward  learned  that 
they  had  what  they  called  “black  comb.” 
Is  this  curable?  Is  it  contagious,  and 
what  can  I  do  for  it?  I  sold  the  rest  of 
the  pullets,  not  knowing  that  they  had 
this  disease  and  two  of  them  died. 
New  York.  J.  c.  M. 
I  know  of  no  disease  called  “black- 
comb,”  though  there  are  a  number  of 
diseases  that  cause  the  comb  to  become 
dark  from  deficient  circulation.  So-called 
liver  disease  is  one  of  the  common  ones, 
the  liver  in  this  disease  of  the  digestive 
organs  being  obviously  affected,  as  seen 
upon  post-mortem  examination.  I  doubt, 
wants  to  eat.  Have  also  used  carbolated 
vaseline  to  anoint  the  legs  and  feet. 
Would  be  glad  to  receive  any  suggestion 
that  would  help  in  such  a  case. 
Mt.  Carmel,  Conn.  e.  h.  r. 
Probably  the  best  thing  that  you  can 
do  in  this  case  is  to  let  nature  take  its 
course.  Nature,  you  know,  is  generous 
in  the  matter  of  bestowing  feet  of  ample 
size  upon  some  individuals,  and  it  is  a 
matter  for  congratulation,  rather  than 
otherwise,  that  such  fortunate  individu¬ 
als  cannot  be  easily  tilted  from  their 
base.  I  doubt  if  you  will  be  able  to 
provide  food  that  will  build  up  this 
cockerel’s  body  at  the  expense  of  its  feet ; 
if  the  feet  have  already  got  the  start  of 
the  body,  what  is  to  prevent  their  keeping 
ahead  in  the  race?  Still,  I  think  that 
this  lack  of  proper  proportion  will  dis¬ 
appear  as  the  bird  develops  and  that,  at 
maturity,  you  will  find  him  a  perfect 
Adonis  in  form.  Big  feet  in  the  young 
are  less  to  be  regretted  than  big  heads, 
though  maturity  is  apt  to  provide  the 
cure  for  both. 
As  to  the  lameness,  or  weakness,  grow¬ 
ing  cockerels  are  apt  to  suffer  from  “leg 
weakness”  without  apparent  cause.  They 
show  this  by  inability,  or  unwillingness, 
to  stand,  though  other  functions  of  the 
body  seem  unimpaired.  Usually,  this 
weakness  disappears  and  the  bird  recov¬ 
ers  after  a  short  time.  I  know  of  no 
special  treatment  for  the  condition,  other 
than  to  provide  healthful  quarters  and 
to  give  proper  food.  Rheumatism  may  be 
at  the  bottom  of  these  cases,  but  I  know 
of  no  evidence  of  it.  >r.  b.  d. 
Round  Worms  in  Poultry 
Will  you  let  me  know  what  I  can  do 
for  round  worms  in  fowls,  and  what  is 
the  cause  of  those  worms.  Last  Winter 
these  same  hens  were  pullets  and  did 
not  lay  well.  Do  you  suppose  the  worms 
interfere  with  their  laying?  j.  h. 
Mt.  Vision,  N.  Y. 
Round  worms,  if  present  in  excessive 
numbers,  may  bring  about  thriftlessness 
in  young  or  old  fowls  and  reduce  egg 
production,  though  a  few  seem  to  do 
little  or  no  harm.  The  best  flock  treat¬ 
ment  is  probably  the  tobacco  treatment, 
which  may  be  administered  by  either  the 
wet  or  dry  method.  A  pound  of  finely 
cut  tobacco  stems  may  be  steeped  for 
two  hours  in  water  enough  to  cover  and 
then  mixed  with  about  four  quarts  of 
mash,  using  both  stems  and  liquor,  and 
fed  in  mid-afternoon  to  each  100  fowls 
to  be  treated,  the  fowls  having  been  kept 
for  24  hours  without  food.  Two  or  three 
hours  later.  1  lb.  of  Epsom  salts  should 
be  dissolved  in  a  little  water  and  mixed 
with  about  three  quarts  of  mash,  this 
being  so  fed  that  each  bird  will  get  its 
share.  Worms  and  eggs  that  are  expelled 
must  be  removed  from  the  building  by 
prompt  care  of  the  droppings,  else  re¬ 
infection  will  occur. 
Tobacco  is  administered  dry  by  mix¬ 
ing  two  pounds  of  finely  powdered  tobacco 
dust  with  each  100  lbs.  of  the  dry  mash 
ordinarily  fed  and  feeding  for  at  least 
three  weeks.  Only  sufficient  mash  for 
two  or  three  days  should  be  prepared  in 
advance,  as  the  tobacco  loses  its  strength 
upon  standing.  Tobacco  dust  should  con¬ 
tain  nearly  two  per  cent  of  nicotine  to 
be  effectual,  and  it  may  be  difficult  to  get 
this,  as  nicotine  disappears  from  tobacco 
dust  that  has  been  long  exposed  to  the 
aii'  M.  B.  D. 
Hens  in  Barn  Loft 
I  have  an  old  barn  25x50,  hewn  timber 
frame.  Loft  is  6  ft.  clear  at  eaves,  roof 
slanting  North  and  South,  lower  part  of 
barn  is  used  for  shop  and  storage.  Would 
it  be  practical  to  keep  hens  in  it?  Should 
the  windows  be  put  in  roof,  i.e.,  hotbed 
sash?  I  want  to  keep  about  50  hens, 
would  they  do  without  run?  j.  g  D 
Brockport,  N.  Y. 
I  see  no  reason  why  you  could  not  keep 
a  few  hens  successfully  in  this  barn  loft. 
You  will  need  to  provide  light,  air  and 
ventilation,  as  you  would  elsewhere.  If 
the  plates  are  G  ft.  above  the  floor,  win¬ 
dows  could  be  placed  in  the  south  side 
and  avoid  cutting  into  the  roof.  It  is 
more  difficult  to  make  roof  windows 
watertight  and  there  would  be  no 
particular  advantage  in  having  them 
there.  The  gable  ends  will  probably  also 
provide  ample  space  for  windows.  Mature 
hens  may  be  kept  in  roomy  quarters  with¬ 
out  any  run,  if  it  is  desired  to  keep  them 
confined.  jr.  b.  d. 
Poultry  Questions 
1.  How  many  chickens  can  I  raise  in  a 
building  50x12  ft.?  I  plan  to  have  it 
10  ft.  high,  and  have  a  drop  to  7  ft.  on 
the  back.  The  front  is  to  be.  full  of 
windows  about  7  ft.  high.  2.  Where  can 
I  get  a  good  laying  strain  of  poultry 
about  50  or  100?  3.  Would  you  recom¬ 
mend  Black  Leghorns  for  layers?  4.  My 
plan  is  to  take  matched  lumber  for  out¬ 
side  and  on  the  inside  2x4  studding,  and 
have  matched  lumber  for  the  roof  with 
tar  paper  or  something  like  it  to  turn 
water.  a.  b.  c. 
Corning,  N.  Y. 
1.  A  building  50x12  ft.  would  accom¬ 
modate  from  150  to  300  grown  fowls  and 
would  serve  as  a  temporary  brooder 
house  for  several  thousand.  It  would  be 
too  shallow  for  a  good  poultry  building, 
however,  and  might  better  be  made  18  or 
20  ft.  deep  by  30  ft.  long.  This  would 
give  the  same  floor  space,  take  less  lum¬ 
ber  for  the  walls  and  be  more  comfortable 
for  the  fowls.  A  height  of  0  ft.  in  front 
and  5  ft.  in  the  rear  would  be  sufficient. 
2.  Probably  your  best  plan  for  getting 
a  good  strain  of  fowls  would  be  to  ar¬ 
range  terms  with  some  nearby  poultry- 
man  who  has  the  kind  you  wish  and 
whose  flock  you  can  see  for  yourself. 
3.  Black  Leghorns  are  excellent  layers 
and  preferred  by  some  to  the  white  va¬ 
riety.  Personally,  I  do  not  see  any  ad¬ 
vantage  in  the  color. 
4.  You  do  not  need  a  double  wall  of 
matched  stuff  in  your  location.  One 
thickness  of  matched  lumber,  airtight,  is 
sufficiently  warm,  though  a  double  wall 
on  the  north  side  of  the  building,  behind 
the  perches,  adds  something  to  the  com¬ 
fort  of  the  fowls.  By  placing  your 
matched  boards  upright,  over  girders,  you 
make  them  serve  as  studs  and  save  lum¬ 
ber.  M.  B.  D. 
The  “Nervous”  Leghorn 
Numbers  of  people  say  to  me  when  on 
the  absorbing  topic  of  Leghorn  vs.  this, 
that  and  the  other  breed.  “Yes,  I  know 
that  they  are  wonderful  layers,  etc.,  but 
they  are  so  nervous  and  jumping.”  Well, 
I  always  stand  up  for  the  Leghorns ! 
They  are  a  nervous  fowl  I  admit,  but 
therefore  cannot  be  handled  too  quietly. 
I  think  that  the  secret  is  to  make  friends 
of  them  from  the  day  that  they  leave  the 
shell,  and  surely  the  little  picture  above 
shows  the  result.  u.  g.  p. 
Kingston,  N.  Y. 
R.  N.-Y.  There  can  be  no  question 
about  it.  When  Leghorns  will  stand  like 
that  with  a  dog  of  a  nervous,  high-strung 
breed  in  their  midst,  and  treat  him  as  one 
of  the  family  they  are  certainly  well- 
trained. 
When  James  A.  Garfield  was  president 
of  Hiram  College,  a  man  brought  up  his 
son  to  be  entered  as  a  student.  lie  want¬ 
ed  the  boy  to  take  a  course  shorter  than 
the  regular  one.  “My  son  can  never  take 
all  those  studies,”  said  the  father.  “He 
wants  to  get  through  more  quickly.  Can’t 
you  arrange  it  for  him?”  “Oh,  yes,” 
said  Mr.  Garfield.  “He  can  take  a  short 
course  ;  it  all  depends  on  what  you  want 
to  make  of  him.  When  God  wants  to 
make  an  oak.  He  take  100  years,  but  He 
takes  only  two  months  to  make  a  squash.” 
— The  Christian  Register. 
T RHP-NESTED  BARRED  ROCKS.  Vigorous  breeding.  Cocker¬ 
els.  Circular.  A.  L.  Searles,  Box  N,  Milford,  N.  H. 
C.  W.  LEGHORN.  Exceptionally 
larch  Hatched,  $2.50  :  April,  $2 
ee  Range  raised.  Health  and  Qual 
F.  Johnson,  R.D.  No.  1,  Bloomsbury, N  J 
Pullets 
each.  Fr 
ity  Guaranteed  David 
1217 
Special  Old  and  Young 
Stock  Sale 
PARKS’  Bred-to-Lay 
Barred  Plymouth  Rocks 
America’s  Oldest  and  Greatest  Laying 
Strain.  Bred  for  EGGS  since  188!*, 
with  records  up  to  326  eggs  in  a  year. 
And  RIGHT  NOW  is  your  only 
chance  of  getting  them  at  such  re¬ 
duced  prices,  lii-pace  Circular  Free. 
General  Catalog,  26c. 
J.  W.  PARKS,  Box  Y.  Altoona,  Pa, 
. - J  RAuncn  1 
I  KARR’S  KUALITY  I 
' - 1  docks  I • 
1000  PULLETS  500  COCKERELS 
Vigorous  stock  from  our  trapnested  and  pedigreed,  Line 
Bred  Hocks.  Any  age  desired.  Two-pound  pullets  80c 
and  up  according  to  breeding.  Write  for  Fall  circular. 
PIONEER  ORCHARDS,  Hancock,  Aid. 
Pullets  for  Sale 
R.  I.  Reds  and  White  Leghorns.  Bred  from  slock  of 
proven  value,  as  Egg  producers. 
March  hatched . at  $2.50  each! 
April  hatched . at  2.25  each  I  All  F.O.B. 
White  Leghorn  pullets  that  |  Bristol. 
are  laying . at  3.00  each  J 
Order  from  thisadv.  and  if  you  are  not  pleased  return  and 
money  will  be  refunded — you  are  the  one  to  be  satisfied. 
T.  R.  THOMAS  “The  Maples'* 1  Bristol,  Vermont 
FRA3STCAI8’  ROCKS 
Breeders,  Cocks.  March,  April  and  May  hatch.  Cocker¬ 
els  and  pullets  for  sale.  Hatching  eggs  half  price. 
JULES  F.  FRANCAIS  Woathampfon  Baach,  L.  I.,  N.  V. 
Barred  KocK  r U LLETS  v£“?ons 
stock.  3-mo, -old,  $1.50  each.  Brown  Leghorn  Pul¬ 
lets,  $1.25  each.  White  Leghorn  Pullets,  $1.25  each 
up.  HUMMER’S  POULTRY  FARM,  Frenchtown,  N.  J.  R.  Ho.  1 
um  BARRED  ROCK  PULLETS  AfiS'^SsSS: 
MARVEL  POIL1RY  FARM,  Georgetown,  Del. 
WHITE  WYANDOTTE  Sale 
Descendants  of  "College  Queen  Record  308  eggs. 
Other  high  record  birds  which  were  trap-nested  at 
Storrs  contest.  Breeders  for  sale.  Also  a  few  pullets. 
O.  G.  KNIGHT  -  Bridgeton,  R.  I. 
Whifp  WvanHnftp  F,eb-  Maf-.  Apr.  Pullets  and  Cocker- 
H1II1B  njdllUUUU  els,  Yearling  Hens  and  Cocks.  Cata¬ 
logue  Free.  BOWDEN,  Wyandotte  Specialist.  Mansfield.  Ohio 
kor  sale: 
20  Choice  White  Wyandotte  Pullets 
April  Hatched.  Martin  Strain.  each. 
Sam’l  N.  Miller  R.  2.  Box  20.  Huntingdon,  Pa. 
S.  C.  W.  LEGHORN 
BREEDING  COCKERELS 
From  Famous  HOLLYWOOD  STOCK  at  SR3  each 
MULLER  &  MULLER  LEGHORN  FARM,  Vineland,  N.  J. 
FOR  sale: 
14oldk  Single  Comb  White  Leghorn  Cockerels 
Finest  strain  in  existence.  $1,50  each. 
HIRAM  SQUIHGATE,  R.  F.D,  No.1,  Box  56A,  Loop  Branch,  N.  J. 
All  My  PulIets-7 00  S.  C.  W.  L. 
March  and  April  hatched.  Range  grown.  Part  laying 
Hatched  from  pedigreed  stock.  Now  on  premises.  $2 
each.  A.  F.  MATHES,  South  Somerville,  N.  J.  H.  K.  I).  4 
CEDARHURST  POULTRY  FARM 
HiSGidJ S.  C.  Anconas— S.  C.  W.  leghorns 
RAHWAY  -  NEW  JERSEY 
tillltru  Qua"  8,  <7.  Anconas— Brown  Leghorns.  Cir 
U  culars.  EARLE  8.  WILSON,  Bax  497,  Hammond,  N.  Y 
*“  "  *  UIIC15  g,  c.  R.  I.  Reds,  each, 
depending  on  size,  etc.  You  must  be  satisfied  when  deal¬ 
ing  with  us.  HROOKOHE8T  FARM,  Cranbory,  N.  J.  D(>  114 
ruff  ITC  *c,1PC.O.D.  Rocks,  Beds,  Leghorns  &  mixed. 
UniLIVd  l.00*  delivery  guaFt’d.  I8th  season.  Catalog. 
f.  8.  LA  EVER  Box  73  HeAlitiervillo,  Pa. 
R.  I.  RED  SUPREMACY 
Leading  Red  Pen  8torra  Contest  192$  to  date.  Rest 
8.  C.  Red  Pans  8torr»  Contest  1916-1918-1920. 
Rest  Individual  Red  in  Contest  1916-18-20-21. 
Best  Individual,  Pen  and  Consecutive  Yearly 
Production  records  ever  made  by  any  braeder 
of  Reds  at  Storrs  Contests.  Our  average  production 
for  past  seven  consecutive  years  in  oontest,  181  eggs 
per  bird.  27  eggs  per  bird,  above  average  of  all  other 
Reds  in  contest  for  same  time.  Every  bird  bred  and 
raised  by  us.  Bred  to  lay  PULLETS  FOR  SALE. 
P1NECRE8T  ORCHARDS,  -  GROTON,  MABs! 
RHODE  ISLAND  REDS \ Single 
RHODE  ISLAND  WHITES/Comb 
Trap-nested  stock.  Bred  for  Winter  eggs  from  non¬ 
broody  strain.  Reds— dark,  even  red— exceptional  breed¬ 
ing  stock.  Ready  to  lay.  Tompkins’  st  r  a  i  n.  Only  a 
limited  number  of  White  Pullets  left.  Pullets,  $8  each 
Cockerels,  $&  to  $7.60.  O.  G.  L.  LEWIS,  Paoll,  P». 
H.  Tompkins  and  Payne  Bros.  Strain 
ROSE  AND  SINGLE  COMB  REDS 
Big,  husky,  farm-raised  Cockerels  and  Pullets  at  26  %  oir 
if  taken  before  November  1st.  Bred  for  vigor,  large  size- 
dark  red  color  and  heavy  laying.  Write  for  free  20-naire 
Catalog.  RALPH  KNICKERBOCKER,  R.  D.  3«,Pine  Plains,  N.y 
Pullets-$2 
March-April  Hatch 
Cockerels,  $6. 
50  S.  C.R.I.  Reds  ™ 
k 
,  .  „  .  - red  to 
skin.  Even  color  from  head  to  tail. 
Jj.  Hardaway  R  randan  burg,  KaotticItY 
JERSEY  BLACK  GIANTS 
ch™”i:,e»LA  uvii!}  “»• 
BLACK  GrIANT  COCKERELS 
Marcy  Strain.  #5  each. 
RIVEirSEDGE  FARM  R.  0.  7  NORWICH.  CONN. 
Utility  White  Wyandottes  *. 
Money  makers. 
F.  PEIRCE,  WinehMUr,  N.  H. 
Pill  I  Pure— Bred  to-lay  stock.  48c  pound. 
r  U LL C  I  0  RAYMOND  BLODGETT  Bristol,  Vermont 
Pullets.  ISarrcd  Rocks.  Silver  Wyandottes,  White 
Leghorns,  7»e  up.  NOAH  BERGEY,  Bergky,  Pa. 
Wanted— 500  Leghorn  Pullets  2^**0  bSffSS* 
ing  soon.  Strictly  cash.  Lustgarten,  R.F.0.  3,  Patsrsun,  N.  J- 
S.  c.  W.  LEGHORNS 
1  °°  one  and  two-year  laying  hens,  $l.2S  each.  50 
April  hatched  pullets, $1.50  each.  Farley  Porter  Strain. 
WM.  H.  TAYLOR  .  Southold,  New  York 
