Broken wings or legs in fowls may be set without much trouble, if the fractured ends of bones are brought together and secured. The leg or thigh may be held straight, with the broken ends neatly in position, and a rag, or even paper wet in white of egg, carefully wrapped around it several times. The white of egg hardens as it dries, and furnishes a sufficient protection until the callus is formed. Broken wings are best secured by tying the feathers firmly together about an inch from the end, after having put the fractured ends neatly in place.
Frost Bites
If the comb or wattles are frost bitten, they should be at first rubbed with snow or icy cold water, until the natural color and suppleness is restored, and then an application of Humphreys’ Veterinary Oil. Two or three applications will usually suffice.
Gapes, or Throat Worms
This disease is so called from the peculiar action of the chickens who are affected with it. It is caused by the presence of a pale reddish worm, some three-quarters of an inch in length, which infest the mouth and throat, and of which from two to a dozen are found in a chicken, each usually doubled up. These worms are a species of pin worms, and have been bred in damp earth, and hence are found among chickens which are bred in damp, moist soils, and are rarely ever known when the birds have a clean, high or gravel yard. The spawn of these worms are deposited by myriads in the moist, unclean soil, are thrown out by the coughing and efforts of the ones infected, and becomes developed in the most barren soil or in water, and thence transplanted to the crop with the feed, become developed in the throat of the chick. This is the most recent position of scientific knowledge on this subject.
The best method of treatment is to remove, where possible, the chickens to a dry locality, and to give them the D.D., morning and night. Feed the fowls and chicks with finely chopped ONIONS OR GARLIC (tops and bottoms,) mixed with their food. Experience shows the good results of this thoroughly scientific—as well as practical treatment. To remove the worms from the throat, make a loop of one or two horse hairs, which thrust down the throat, and with a slight twist draw it out, bringing the worms with it. This may be repeated until the throat is cleared. Or a quill feather, stripped to within an inch or two of its end, may be dipped in a mixture of glycerine or oil, and petroleum, made in the proportion of three parts of oil or glycerine, to one part of petroleum. Dip the feather in the mixture, and in like manner pass it into and well down the throat, and with a twist bring it out with the worms adhering. The used feathers and remaining oil should be burned to destroy the larvæ of the worms, and fresh feathers used freely, so as not to spread the worms or their larvæ.
Gout or Rheumatism
May be distinguished by the birds being lame, walking with difficulty and sitting about, and on examination the legs or thighs will be found hot and feverish; or in cases of longer standing, there will be evident stiffness of the joints and weakness of the legs, and in some cases contraction of the toes, which indicate cramps. The bird should be kept in a comfortable, dry place, and the B.B., given it three times a day. It is produced by exposure to cold and wet, or to sudden change of temperature.
Leg Weakness
In large breeds of fowls, and especially when being bred “in and in,” so that the stamina of the system is lowered, there is a deficient growth of bony matter, and the birds are weak, squatting around or walking on their hocks. It may be remedied by giving the J.K., morning and night, and bones or oyster shells should be burned in the fire, and then pounded small, and the dust occasionally mixed with the food or placed where the fowls have access to it. This will increase the deposit of ossific matter and impart strength to the legs.