Diarrhea and Dysentery (Scouring)
Is not uncommon among fowls, caused usually by improper food or sudden changes of weather, or severe exposure. In diarrhea the droppings are only too frequent, watery, scalding or excessive, with consequent drooping and wasting of flesh; while, if this condition is unchecked, the discharges become bloody or mingled with blood and mucous, forming a real dysentery. This latter form of the disease is said to be contagious, and requires that the diseased birds should be separated from the flock and the dead ones buried deeply, far away from the yards or pens of the flock, and the yards and pens thoroughly disinfected or use new ones. The treatment is the same; the F.F., should be given, three or four times per day. The food should be boiled milk thickened with flour, and well cooked, or good bread softened in scalded milk. Of course the birds should have a clean, dry and well littered and sheltered place.
Egg Bound
Sometimes hens are unable to drop the egg from its unusual size. This is usually manifested by the hens coming off the nest and moping around with the wings down and in evident distress. A large spoonful of castor or olive oil often relieves, to which should be added a dose of G.G. Should this fail after an hour, bathe the vent with warm water, and then with a feather dipped in oil, lubricate or freely oil the passage or viaduct, taking care not to break the egg. Should the egg passage be ruptured or protruded, the I.I., may be given, one or two doses, to promote the healing.
Scaly Legs
This disease is caused by a little mite which gets on the chickens legs and burrowing under the skin and scales causes the legs to become enlarged and the scales very prominent.
Treatment.—The best application so far tried seems to be an ointment composed of 1 part oil of caraway and 5 parts white vaseline, this should be rubbed on the legs every few days until the disease disappears. The mites can also be killed by putting a teaspoonful of kerosene oil in a quart measure of water and dipping in the foot. However there is more danger of irritation than with the oil of caraway, and very much so if any of the oil gets on the feathers.
Feather Eating
This unnatural appetite, mostly observed in the hen, is the expression of some chemical want in the system, which, not satisfied in the food or drink of the fowl, manifests itself in picking and eating the feathers. Whatever supplies this want will relieve the expression of it, or, in other words, the habit. To this end the birds should have good feed and a grass run, if possible. If not, fine grass should be chopped up and given them, as also green food. Bones should be burned in the fire, then pounded small and put within their reach. This will supply the carbonate of lime, should that be wanting, and an occasional feed of wet-up bran will supply the silex, should the desire arise from deprivation of that. Some animal food, well peppered, may also be used advantageously. Give also the J.K., morning and night.