Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1919 — KEEP DISEASES OUT OF FLOCKS [ARTICLE]

KEEP DISEASES OUT OF FLOCKS

Poultrymen Are Urged to Practice Proper Preventive Measures in Fighting Ailments. CAUSE OF HIGH MORTALITY There Are Some Cases In Which Medicine May Be Used Advantageously—Danger Is Great Where Fowls Are Crowded. Fowls are subject to a considerable number of -diseases, some of which spread rapidly through the flock and cause a high mortality. They may also be infested by various kinds of parasites, some of which live on the surface of the body and others in the crop, stomach or intestines. These parasites are injurious because they, take a part of the nourishment which should be used by the bird to put on flesh dr to produce eggs. and also because by their movements and their biting they cause irritation ami inflammation frf the parts which they attack. Keep! Birds Healthy. The contagious diseases which are caused by animal and vegetable germs, . -#H»d The weakness nnd loss of flesh -caused by the larger which reference has just been made, are the most important conditions ' which the poultryman-Jhas to consider ir. the endeavor to keep his birds healthy. These germs and parasites should be kept out of the flock by sutt- ■ able preventive measures, because disease may lie avoided much more easily and cheaply.than it can be cured. Use of Medicine. There are some cases in whichmedicines may be advantageously given or applied to fowls, but. as a rule, when a bird becomes sick it is better to klllj •it. because‘the cost of medicine and .the vain? of the '/me required to carthe value of the bird which Is cured. Another reason for killing sick bird's is that they may be affected by a contagious disease which beftTe it is recognized may. spread to many p other birds in the flock. A third reason for killing is the fact that a bird being sick indicates that it is more susceptible to disease than the other hinis of the flock, and in order to establish a flock which is able t?T resist disease such susceptible birds must be eliminated. The greater the, number of birds kept Upon any farm or plot of ground; and tire more they are crowded together the greater is the danger from contagion and parasites, and the more important are the measures for excluding, abdicating and preventing the development of these causes of. disease. >