Diseased Poultry.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 445, 12 February 1890, Page 3

Diseased Poultry.

Our South Canterbury correspondent writes bo us as follows : “A subscriber who takes advantage of the useful information contained in this journal, came to me a week or two ago, much puzzled with a complaint to which his fowls had been subject this summer. It is evidently something new in this locality, for no one could explain it for him, and may be of considerable importance to the public generally if you could enlighten us on the subject. I will explain the symptoms, as I was informed by him. The fowls have plenty of open run, fresh feed and water, on south bank of Bangitata. Full-grown fowls and chickens (when in full condition), but principally the latter, were subject to the malady. Symptoms Gape frequently, feathers hang loosely, eyes become inflamed, discharge matter, and finally blindness sets in. A large proportion die ; but, where any get the turn, recovery is rapid. Those that weather the storm loose all feathers from the back of the head, leaving the bare skin. He only lost one mature cock bird. At first I thought it must be what in England we styled 1 the gapes ’ or ‘ the pip :’ but after further description I perceived it was something new bo me. I hope you may be able to enlighten us.” With reference to the above we may say that we have little doubt that the fowls are attacked by roup in one of its various forms. This disease is often known as “ swelled head,” and is most infectious and very fatal, especially to young fowls, which are always more subject to attack. Treatment, when the disease has been allowed to reach an advanced stage, a sharp tomahawk and a good block, to be used so as to convey a “short, sharp, shock, to the sick fowl, after which bury the headless carcase along with the head in a deep hole in the garden. The only hope of doing any good by remedial measures is to catch the fowl directly the least symptom of disease, such as a frobhv discharge from the eye, shows itself, and at once to wash its head and neok with diluted carbolic acid and water. Disinfect the poultry buildings by scattering carbolic powder, or watering with carbolic acid and water. We believe that a good cure would be to put the rouping fowl under a box along with a vessel of boiling water to which three or four drops of Sanders’ Eucalypti Essence had been added just before putting under the box. The inducing cause of roup is generally neglected and dirty sleeping quarters, or the crowding of two" many fowls together on a small area. A common cold caught through draughts is enough to start the complaint under these circumstances.