OCR Text |
Show MOULDS FATAL TO POULTRY By H. L. Kcmpster Mouldy litter in poultry houses nnd mouldy feed are the cause of a Inrgo number of deaths ailong poultry nnd, particularly among chicks. These moulds taken Into the body of the fowl cause n dlsense known ns Aspergillosis. As-pergillosis. The disease Is ns fatal ns the name sounds. Our scientists havo neglected to find a shorter namo for tho disease, but among poultrymen chlcka affected with tho trouhlo are commonly spoken of ns 'lungers." Many times tho disease Is mistaken for white diarrhea. The Missouri Collego of Agriculture In Us Investigation of poultry discuses notes tho. following characteristic symptoms: Tho chick stands nround In a drowsy manner and shows little des,lro to cnt. Tho wings hnng.down, tho breath Is rapid nnd a whito dlar-hea dlar-hea Is present. An nffoctcd chick will be found to have soft, yellow growths from tho slzo of tt pin head to that of n pea, mainly In tho lungs, but sometimes In tho Intestines and mesentery. Theso growths, clogging the air passages pas-sages of tho lungs, nre directly responsible re-sponsible for tho death of affected birds. In mature fowls thoro nro two forms of tho disease Tho mucuoit-; iuemhrnno lining tho air sacs and the tubes may ho covered with n mem hranous formation which Is soft and yellowish nnd has an offensive odor, or tho post uiorton will roveal white, or yellowish nodules Imbedded la tho tissues of tho lungs. Early symptoms aro that tho bird Is inactive, sleepy, and If forced to run, will fall from oxhaustion; breatli ing is rapid, appetite diminished nnS 111010 or lees catarrh Is present. Thero Is no euro for tho trouble, but since It Is caused by eating mouldy moul-dy feed or by being permitted access, to mouldy litter, it can bo entirely prevented by not compelling fowls to eat mouldy food and by keeping them away from mouldy litter. This is Just one of tho many poultry poul-try troubles that can bo entirely avoided by feeding nothing but fresh clean feed and keeping tho pens nnd yards freo from filth and moulds. Utah Farmer. - |