SEVERAL POULTRY DISEASES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 71 (Supplement)

SEVERAL POULTRY DISEASES

Amongst the troubles which affect poultry there are some which are not understood by breeders. During the past few Aveeks Ave have received letters from a number of correspondents asking for information on the ailments described below:—• ABORTION. If violently driven apout, bens sometimes suffer severely in this Avay; dropping suddenly either a perfect or a soft egg, and afterwards moping about Avith every appearance of being seriously ill. In such cases, which must not be confounded Avith the mere ordinary laying of soft eggs, the bird should be put by herself in rather a dark pen, Avith a nest in one corner. A little carbonate of soda may be put Avith advantage in the drinking water, and the diet should consist of soft food only, given sparingly. This is to be continued for a few days, unless sooner recovered. It is wisdom in all such cases to watch the yard closely; it is quite possible, especially Avith Malays and Game, that there is a bully amongst the flock Avhich is a terror to the whole of the others. With this terror, if the yards are confined in area, abortion is very probable, and the termagant had better be removed, and if not very valuable, killed. We have known abortion also take place in circumstances which left no other conclusion possible than that the glass in the run Avas affected. Avith ergot. Should this

appear probable, besides treating the birds, the whole run must bo mown as close as possible with a machine, and the cuttings carefully swept and removed. Fortunately this occurrence is very rare. RHEUMATISM. The symptoms of this disease are an evident weakness of the legs, stiffness in the joints, oa* contraction of the toes. One or more of these may also be caused from cramp; but as both demand similar treatment, it is not very necessary to be particular in the diagnosis. The disease is easily distinguished from leg weakness 1 by the fact that the latter occurs only in young birds; and presents no symptoms

beyond mere xvant of muscular power* The bird must be put in a Avarxn and dry place, and fed Avuh warm and rather 'stimulating food. In the e\ T eniug it may, be pat in a basket by the fire, and the legs should be bathed in rather hot waiter containing some mustard, well rubbing tne snaniis Avhiist in tue bath, and after - Avarcis carefully drying. Recovery will cin ell y depend upon patience anil regularity in tnese daily remedial measures. A little cooked meat given every day is of great benefit., and so are minute doses, of oil of mustard, which in some cases haA-e been of marked efficacy. Intemailly, a little salicme in tne Avater is the best remedy, and sometimes half a grain of opium twice daily is of marked benefit. Pip.—We do not regard the hard and homey appearance .wnich often appears at the end of a sick fowl’s tongue and goes by that name, as any disease whatever. It rather arises from obstruction in the nostrils, causing the bird to breathe through its mouth and thus drying the tongue; or, Avhere there is any real affection, is analogous to a “foul tongue” in his man beings. In the latter case a dose. Of aperient medicine may be giA r en, and, chlorinated soda applied to the part, Avith benefit, removing any scale or crust which .will coane off Avithout difficulty or giving pain to the bird before making tne application.

i Worms.— Foavls are very often troubled j Avith Avorms, and these are the cause of j many undefinabie diseases. The excretions should be examined when their nro i sence is suspected, and if discovered, a j capsule of turpentine, followed by a dose ! of castor oil, Aid 11 usually effect a cure. Santonin has also been given Avith success, and probably areca nut might, afford benefit in some cases. | ULCERATION. Under the name of “banker” has frequently been described an affection for , Avhich the heading we have chosen is 1 eA'ery Avay a far more correct title. It ; usually occurs about the head, commenc- ' ing Avith a watery discharge from the ! eyes, Avhich by degrees becomes of a firmer character and assumes an offensive odour, the nostrils being at first unaffected. The disea.se frequently extends to the throat, covering the back of the tongue A\dth ulcerous formation, and sometimes entirely filling the glottis and larynx Avith the diseased secretion, and. killing the fowl by actual suffocation, as in the most aggravated cases of roup ; to Avhich disease, in some particulars, it bears a striking analogy. Other mucous surfaces are also liable to such deceased action, the exciting causes of which Ave believe to be either severe cold or local irritation. Cases of a mixed character may be treated with chlorinated soda or fluid carbolate. For canker of the head AA'e should prefer to commence at least with the chlorinated soda, Avashing the outside and eyes with a dilation containing four parts A\ T ater to one of solution, and “swabbing” the throat and tongue, if these parts be affected, with the solution.’ in full .strength. This is to be repeated three times a day, also mixing about a teaspoonful of powdered sulphur in each feed. Other localities, such as the vent, and sometimes the eyes, are better treat-., ed with the fluid carbolate, using for the eyes one teaspoonful to eignt of water, and for other parts diluting the preparation Avith thrice its bulk. The carbolate, besides its disinfecting and healing properties, lias a strong astringent effect, Avhich makes it preferable in some instances.