Pratt's Practical Pointers on the Care of Livestock and Poultry Part 17

P.G. PLATT, Sec. Delaware Co. Poultry a.s.sn., Wallingford, Pa._"

At six to eight weeks of age, or as soon as the youngsters can comfortably eat coa.r.s.er grains, the fine scratch feed may be replaced by a coa.r.s.er mixture. Equal parts, by weight, of cracked corn and wheat, form the basis of this, with barley, heavy oats, kafir corn and buckwheat added for variety if available at reasonable prices. When the flock is weaned and well feathered, the regular laying mash may be subst.i.tuted for the growing mash, though the latter may well be continued for a much longer period.

Above all things, see to it that nothing but feed of superior quality is supplied. Moldy, chaffy, grains and weed seeds may be _cheaper to buy_ than sweet, sound materials, but the latter are _cheaper to feed_.

Begin giving green food when the chicks are three or four days old, cutting it up finely so they can eat it. And continue to feed greens liberally at all times. It's good for the health and cuts feed bills, too.

~Care of the Growing Chicks~

As the chicks grow, provide larger quarters if the original coops are at all crowded. And teach the youngsters to roost early, especially where brooders are used, so they will not "pile up" in corners when the heat is removed. When the brood is five to six weeks of age place low roosts, lath tacked on six to eight-inch boards, in the coops. The st.u.r.dier individuals will soon learn to use them and educate the rest of the flock.

Pay special attention to the water supply. Have clean water available at all times. And do not leave the water dishes in the sun, which will quickly make the water so warm that it is unfit to drink.

Give the growing pullets as much s.p.a.ce, indoors and out, as you possibly can. Feed them liberally. Keep them clean and comfortable. In every way help them gain the health, strength and vigor which they must have in order to do full duty in the laying and breeding pens.

Finally, cull your flock without mercy, beginning at hatching time and continuing to the end. If any baby chicks are crippled or weak, dispose of them at once. As the flock grows, mark--by toe punching or otherwise--all individuals which show evidence of being lacking in vigor, which are stunted or do not make rapid growth, which fail to feather properly, which are ever noticeably sick. Then rush them to market as soon as they reach the proper weight. Thus you will save for your own use only those which are physically right, which have the health and stamina that will enable them to stand up under the strain of continuous egg-production. And such a flock, after it has undergone the further culling of a year in the laying pen, will give you breeding birds capable of producing worthwhile chicks.

~Poultry Diseases~

Prevention of disease is most essential. And the first step consists of carefully selecting the birds which will he given a place in the flock, retaining only those which are healthy and vigorous, and rejecting the weaklings and physically unfit. The next step is to keep the birds in a high state of vitality through proper management and keep contagious and infectious diseases away by adopting the necessary sanitary measures.

Fresh air, wholesome food and clean water are essential. Equally necessary is the use of Pratts Poultry Regulator, which keeps the birds in perfect condition internally and so prevents such self-developed disorders as indigestion, constipation, and the like.

Most of the serious diseases which take heavy toll of carelessly managed flocks are due to germs of various kinds. These may be introduced in many different ways, and when present in the flock they multiply and spread with great rapidity. Cleanliness and sanitation will largely overcome them, and as each fowl is worth so much money under present conditions, it is really economical to prevent loss even at the expense of some time and of germ-killing preparations.

Pratts Poultry Disinfectant costs but a trifle. A gallon, diluted with water, makes fifty gallons of a powerful disinfectant, one that is highly efficient, but both safe and pleasant to use. Spray the house and furnis.h.i.+ngs and wash feed and water containers at frequent intervals with this economical germ-killer. Results will surely be seen in healthier, more productive birds, less trouble and less loss from disease.

_Staunton, Va.

I would not have tried to raise expensive poultry without Pratts products in my house. While I was a boy at home we always had a supply of Pratts on hand.

I find that my success is due to the use of the Pratts products kept constantly on the shelf.

H.L. CAMPBELL._

In this condensed book we can discuss only the more general disorders.

The subject is covered thoroughly in Chapter IX, The Poultryman's Complete Handbook, including directions for equipping a hospital, administering medicine, symptom and treatment chart, diagrams of the fowl's digestive system and skeleton, control of poultry vices, etc.

Send a dime, in silver or stamps, for a copy, to Pratt Food Co., Philadelphia.

If necessary, do not hesitate to consult the poultry experts connected with Pratts Poultry Service Dept. They will give you personal help without charge. In writing, give all symptoms and necessary facts.

Address such letters to our Philadelphia office.

It is important that diseases of all kinds be recognized as early as possible, and equally so that immediate treatment be given.

Watch your birds! If any show signs of being out of condition, examine them carefully to determine the trouble. Then give them the care which is demanded in each case. Quick treatment will often effect a speedy cure of a valuable bird that might be lost if the disease became firmly established.

Pratts Poultry Remedies include dependable preparations for most common poultry diseases. They are guaranteed to give satisfaction and are inexpensive. Keep a supply on hand. Use promptly as occasion demands.

The saving of a single good laying or breeding fowl by instant treatment will more than pay the cost of a well-stocked poultry medicine shelf.

~POULTRY LICE AND MITES~

~Body Lice~--There are many different kinds of these parasites and all are serious trouble makers. They cause endless annoyance, check growth and egg production. Lice-free fowls are healthier and more comfortable, therefore more productive and profitable.

+ -------+ | ~GUARANTEED POULTRY REMEDIES~ | | | |~Pratts~ line of Guaranteed Poultry Remedies is the result of fifty | |years of experience. Each preparation is positively the best of its | |kind. Keep a supply on hand for instant use. | | | |~PRATTS ROUP REMEDY (Tablets or Powder)~ | | | |A sure preventive and cure for roup, colds, canker, catarrh and similar | |diseases. | | | |~PRATTS GAPE REMEDY~ | | | |Guaranteed to bring prompt relief. Use as a preventive the first four | |weeks and your chicks will not be troubled with gape-worms. | | | |~PRATTS SORE-HEAD CHICKEN-POX REMEDY~ | | | |A guaranteed cure for this highly contagious disease. Don't risk having | |your entire flock ruined. Keep it on hand for quick use when the ailment| |is first noticed. | | | |~PRATTS BRONCHITIS REMEDY~ | | | |A quick and effective remedy. Fully guaranteed for a disease that is | |generally fatal unless promptly checked. | | | |~PRATTS WHITE DIARRHOEA REMEDY~ | | | |Will save the chicks and cure completely when used promptly. Valuable in| |preventing the heavy chick losses usually experienced. | | | |~PRATTS CHOLERA REMEDY~ | | | |A sure remedy for cholera, indigestion, sour crop, dysentery, and bowel | |trouble. Guaranteed to satisfy or money refunded. | | | |~PRATTS SCALY LEG REMEDY~ | | | |This disease impairs the vitality of the birds and ruins their | |appearance. Pratts remedy will keep the legs clean and healthy. | | | |~PRATTS CONDITION TABLETS~ | | | |An effective remedy for "run-down" birds. Keeps show birds in condition | |and prevents colds, roup and liver trouble. | | | | "~YOUR MONEY BACK IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED~" | | | + -------+

_Treatment_--If all poultrymen would use Pratts Powdered Lice Killer on their poultry, lice would be unknown. It is different and better than many like preparations, being stronger, non-poisonous, has great disinfecting qualities, and positively kills all kinds of chicken lice.

If you want to make money from your poultry you can't afford to be without it. Pratts Poultry Disinfectant, or the more powerful Pratts Red Mite Special, should also be used in the poultry houses. Lice seek crevices, cracks, openings, etc., that can only be reached by the liquid. This should be sprayed or sprinkled on perches, nest boxes, drop boards, floors and inside walls of all poultry houses. It not only kills lice, but has great disinfecting value. Do not accept a subst.i.tute.

Pratts Lice Salve is a sure-fire lice killer in another form. Apply to the feathers beneath the wings and around the vent and quick results will be noticed. A single application will be effective for a considerable time.

~Head Lice~--The big grey lice commonly found on heads of little chicks, causing great mortality.

_Treatment_--Keep on hand all the time a box of Pratts Head Lice Ointment, and use it on your little chicks, and save their lives. Two or three days before the brood should hatch, sprinkle the sitting hen thoroughly with Pratts Powdered Lice Killer.

~Poultry Mites (Red Mites)~--These tiny parasites are poultry killers.

They do not live on the bodies of the birds, but in cracks and crevices of the building, coming out for their food. They suck the blood from the fowls, weakening and often killing them.

_Treatment_--Look around roosts and in cracks in warm weather and you are apt to see hundreds of mites. Every week spray perches, dropping boards, sides of houses, and roof near perches with Pratts Red Mite Special; powder birds with Pratts Powdered Lice Killer, and also add this to the dust bath.

~Depluming Mites~--Parasites that attack the roots or base of feathers which break off leaving bare spots. Will quickly spread through an entire flock. Usually found in spring and summer.

_Treatment_--Separate all affected birds from the rest of flock. Rub Pratts Head Lice Ointment on and around the bare spots every few days, until the mites have all been destroyed. Spray houses, roofs, runs, etc., with Pratts Poultry Disinfectant. Persistent treatment is necessary to get rid of these pests.

~THE MORE COMMON POULTRY DISEASES~

~Symptoms and Treatment~

~Apoplexy~--_Cause:_ Fowls too fat, general poor condition. _Symptoms:_ Paralysis, sudden death. Birds frequently found dead under roosts.

_Treatment:_ Affected birds will not usually respond to treatment.

Flocks should be treated to prevent further loss. Reduce the amount of feed, give less corn, supply Pratts Poultry Regulator to improve general condition.

_Reading, Pa.

Have been using your poultry remedies for many years. Have used your Baby Chick Food and had wonderful results. I think it is great. I also use your Disinfectant, Lice Powder and Roup Remedy.

WM. FAUST_