THE FANCIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 26

THE FANCIER.

POULTRY.

Edited by Red Cap. AILMENTS OF PIGEONS. The following is a prize essay published in the Fanciers' Gazette :— The maintenance of health amongst his stock is a veritable dosideratum with every good pigeon fancier, for if he fails in this he is handicapped very heavily in the race for the goal, “ success/' The ailments of pigeons are varied, often complicated and difficult to cope with, and, when once disease has taken firm root in the birds, the chances of thoroughly eradicating it are very limited. It therefore behoves the aspiring fancier to use the utmost endeavours in order to Ei event this unwelcome visitor entering is lofts. As a breeder of some standing I would urge him to take fully to heart the old proverb, “ Prevention is better than cure." With its utmost force doos it apply to him, and should ever be uppermost in his mind. Young beginner in the fancy, write it in large, bold letters in your stud book; give just heed to it, it will materially influence the balance to your favour later on. Of course, with the most careful in the fancy, ailments will, at times, spring up amongst their stock ; but I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say that 90 per cent, of the diseases that lurk in some lofts might, with due care and attention, be utterly avoided. Let me, then, give a brief summary of the various matters that should be scrupulously heeded. The loft or building wherein the birds are kept should be in a good aspect, well sheltered from cold north or north-east winds, roomy, well ventilated, still, at the same time, free from draughts. Cleanliness is a most important factor, particularly with regard to the nesting places, food, drinking water, vessels, &c. Supply them with wholesome grain ; vary it; let good old grey poas and barley bo their staple food. Be sparing with maize, wheat, and hempseed. Attend to their digestive organs by furnishing crushed oyster shells, old mortar, &c.; also provide a “ salt cat," or roclc salt. See they are not short of a good bath each day, especially in the warm season. Thoroughly whitewash the walls, boxes, &c., at least once a year, and should you at any time observe nits or insects in crevices, &c., put an end to saino with some good, pungent insect powder. If these precautions are faithfully adhered to the fancior will not bo troubled greatly with sickness of his foathorod pets. The most common disoasos of pigoons are dry roup, wot roup, canker, feather rot, wing diseaso, and a troublesome complaint known as “ going light." These six, I think, aro all we need and have space to touch on in this short article, and I will take them in thoir respective order, and give the most simple and best methods for thoir cure.

First, then, dry roup. This is a kind of dry and husky cough, caused by oxcossivo cold or damp, particularly when moulting. For this givo three or four cloves of garlic once a day. Wet roup is another similar complaint, but the cough is attended by a discharge from tho mouth and nasal organ. It is rather infectious, and tho sufferers should consequently ho taken away from tho others, when three or four popporcorns may bo given once in three days, or soirio good roup pills, which are now in tho market. A. few sprigs of green rue infused in tho drinking wator is also an excellent remody. Canker is also contagious, and is mostly paughfc by cocks fighting'other, JRub

tho part affectod. daily with burnt alum arid honoy, or a little carbolated vaseline.

Feather rot is ofton brought on by a too plentiful supply of hempseed and other heating foods, and will disappear, in most cases easily, in strict attention being paid to their diet.

Wing diseaso is often tho result of blows by fighting or oihor means. It generally takes tho form of a large, sore lump near the sliouldor. The wing should bo gontly slung, and paintod with tincture of iodine,, or some prefer to anoint with carbolated vaselino or pure cold cream. I think iodine is the most effective.

“ Going light" is a most troublesome diseaso, and difficult to combat. It is a goneral decay of tho constitution, and may be termed consumption of tho bird.) It can only be treated by tonics, such as the tonic pills now sold for pigoons, a little sulphate of iron in walor, and tho like, to restore lost vitality. It is very seldom they can bo savod when once severely attackod by this. On tho more simple ailings, such as “ crop bound," “ hard moulting," &c., I need not touoh, as ovcryono knows the good old remedy of castor oil for tho former, and how, in the second, to assist the shedding of the feathers with tho thumb nail,

For nits, vermin, &c., in feathors, use the insect-powdor can vigorously. In conclusion, I would again say tho great thing is to try and avoid these ailments ; but, when they insist upon invasion, let your dim be to “ nip them in the tud," and, if you use the remedies carefully I have herein mentioned during the early stagos of the diseases, you will find them, though simple, to bo very effective. DYSENTERY IN FOWLS. The following remedy for this complaint is given by a foreign journal:—Two grain powders of mercurus vivus,B x, every thirty minutes until three are taken, then every three hours until decided improvements in discharge. Follow up with nux vomica, 8 x, two pollets night and morning for a few days to keep up tho strength of the bird. Give every few hours a five-grain capsule full of burnt brandy. Give for food stale bread soaked in scalded milk ; also scalded milk for drink. PRESERVING EGGS. Oncp moro by request we print tho following recipe :—For evory three gallons of soft water put in ono point of freoh slaked lime and half a pint of common salt. Mix woll and lot the barrel'be about half full of this fluid, then With a dish let down tho fresh eggs, l ipping tho dish after it fills with water, so that tho eggs will roll out without cracking tho aboil, for if the latter should happen to bo broken the eggs, of course, would spoil. If fresh eggs be put in, fresh ones will come out.