Being such hardy, sprightly little fellows, the handsome budgerigars are not liable to so many illnesses as frequently fall to the lot of our caged pets; now and again one may have a fit, due probably to improper feeding; should such occur, be careful to correct your feeding, and give grass in flower, dandelion, or a bit of groundsel. Cramp they sometimes suffer from, which is produced by cold or damp, the latter more especially; a simple remedy is the removal of the bird to a warm and dry atmosphere. All cage-birds (hens) are liable to egg-binding, one of the most serious complaints, and difficult to deal with, and budgerigars suffer from it like the rest; it is seldom curable, but immediately the hen is observed to be suffering she should be taken gently, very gently, in hand, and a drop or two of castor oil or sweet oil put in her mouth, whilst the egg passage should be gently oiled with a feather, and then held over the mouth of a jug of hot water, so that the steam may get to the part affected, and so relax it and assist in the delivery of the egg. A bird which has been egg-bound should not be allowed to mate and go to nest again, as sooner or later she will again suffer from the distressing complaint and die.
Any one fond of birds cannot fail to be delighted and charmed with such a handsome, good-tempered, loving, and jolly little fellow as the budgerigar.
How to treat Dogs.—Twice a day feed the dog moderately. Paunch and tripe are excellent for dogs. Boil this food, cut into small pieces, in a moderate quantity of water, and when the meat is sufficiently done throw into the gravy some good dog biscuits. When these are soft mix meat, biscuits and gravy well together. For an occasional change oatmeal or rice may be given instead of meat. During the summer boil a cabbage with the food twice a week, for unless dogs have vegetable food occasionally they are liable to have mange and scurvy. In winter put mashed potatoes in the food sometimes, for these contain the properties for which dogs sometimes eat the coarse grass in some parts called couch grass, in others twitch. Once or twice a week a dog should have boiled liver and sometimes milk in which powdered brimstone has been placed. Always he should be able to drink clean water. A dog’s kennel should be in a dry, sheltered place and lifted from the ground. It should face south or west. Let him have plenty of dry straw. Wheat straw and oat straw are best; it is said that barley straw will cause mange. Cedar or pine shavings are good if you can secure some. In cold weather a piece of canvas or carpet should be nailed to hang over the entrance, and great care should be taken to keep the kennel dry, or there will be mange and lameness. A kennel with an adjustable bottom which can be removed to be cleaned, is better than one with a fixed bottom. At least every two weeks the kennel should be thoroughly cleaned. Apply some good disinfectant to every crevice with a brush, then expose the inside to the sun and air to dry it. It is usual to chain the dog to the kennel, but a better plan is to place in front of the kennel a stout wire about fifteen feet long stretched between two posts that are about three feet above the ground. The ring at the end of the dog’s chain should have this wire running through it. This plan gives him a much wider range.
To destroy vermin in a dog rub soft soap well into his coat, and in about a quarter of an hour lather it well into him, and then wash it away with an abundance of tepid water.
When dogs have the “husk,” a kind of cough, they should be fed with finely chopped suet boiled in milk, with a little garlic also finely chopped added to the suet. For worms, administer a teaspoonful of salt either dry or dissolved in lukewarm water. This is also a good remedy when distemper begins, for it acts as an emetic.
The least exercise a dog should have is an hour each day. Dogs kept in the house should have exercise for half an hour before breakfast and after supper too. A run at mid-day, too, is an advantage. To lead them out soberly on a chain and back again is not sufficient for a dog. He needs more lively exercise than that. A large dog should run six miles each day. Brush your dog’s coat each day and wash him once a week.
Bad habits should be checked when the dog is young, with a whip if that is necessary, but without cruelty. A little whip goes a long way with a dog. Even the sight of it is sufficient usually. Be sure he understands for what he is being punished, and be consistent. Don’t laugh at him for one thing one day, and punish him for it another. Do not let him annoy neighbours by barking. If you do it will serve you right if the neighbours obtain an order from the magistrates for his destruction. They are entitled to do this, and, indeed the right ought to be exercised more often than it is.
So far we have mentioned grown dogs only, but a few hints about puppies may be given. When these are five or six weeks old they may be weaned. Feed them now for three weeks upon boiled milk, sometimes breaking into it a little stale bread. Then they may begin to have soup made of meat and vegetables occasionally. When they are between six weeks and a year old they may be fed three times a day, the most generous meal at night before they go to sleep.
The Raven.—If you keep a raven be prepared for unending mischief and destruction. He needs plenty of room, and will eat most things. Raw meat is perhaps his favourite diet, and he is pleased with rats, mice, small birds, beetles, grubs or worms, and bread. He ought to be fed once, and once only, each day, for he will find insects, worms, and other delicacies for himself. From time to time he loves to retire to a place that is sheltered, warm and dark, and where no one can see him.
White Mice.—The principal food for white mice is bread-and-milk, oatmeal grits, and any other common food, except cheese, which is bad for them. They should be kept particularly clean, and their cages overhauled each day and the bedding changed, or they will smell offensively. Cages may be adapted from boxes. Give them more room than the bought cages give them, and a dark compartment.