EGG EATING.
Cause.—Is usually due to lack of shell-building material in the food; in such case the shell of the egg is thin and easily broken and the fowl craving the lime contained in the egg shell, naturally contracts the habit.
Treatment.—Supply ground bone and oyster shells. Feed green food such as cabbage, kale, potatoes, carrots, etc.
EGGS WITHOUT SHELLS.
(Soft-Shelled Eggs)
Cause.—Deficiency of shell material; or it is possible that fright sometimes causes premature expulsion of the eggs before the shell is formed.
Treatment.—Feed ground bone, oyster shells. They contain egg shell producing material. Perhaps the best results are obtained when mixed with wheat bran. Also feed vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes and carrots.
FEATHER PULLING.
(Feather Eating)
Cause.—Irritation of the skin due to lice, mites, or to lack of exercise and improper food.
Treatment.—Feed meat, ground bones and vegetables. Place the food where the fowls are compelled to scratch and work to obtain it. Dust the fowls with Powdered Aloes.
If due to lice, treat the same as recommended under the heading of Lice.
GAPES.
(Verminous Trachea Bronchitis)
Cause.—A red, parasitic worm, the male measuring about one-fifth of an inch and the female one-half an inch in length. Fowls become infected by eating worms containing this parasite or its eggs, and by coming in contact with other birds suffering from the disease.
Symptoms.—The most noticeable symptom is frequent gaping; the Gapeworms attach themselves by their mouths to the walls of the windpipe where they suck the blood which nourishes them; they cause irritation and inflammation of the windpipe, bronchial tubes and lungs; breathing is difficult and the bird loses strength rapidly; windpipe eventually becomes totally obstructed and the bird dies from suffocation and exhaustion. Young, weak chickens are more susceptible to this disease than strong ones.
Treatment.—Separate the sick birds from the healthy ones. Clean and disinfect the coops and runs. Burn all manure. Remove the worms from the windpipe by the use of a feather, from which the fan has been stripped, leaving only a small brush at the end. Dip the feather into Oil of Turpentine or Coal Oil, removing the surplus liquid by drawing the feather between the fingers. Now insert the feather into the windpipe of the bird and by turning gently you will dislodge the worms from their attachments. Repeat this treatment once a day for two or three days. Disinfect coops and runs with undiluted Crude Carbolic Acid. Feed good nutritious food as wheat bran mashes, etc.