Show KEY TO CHECKING COSTLY CHICK ILLS ravages of may be prevented the highly contagious disease coe coc which takes a heavy toll in young chicks usually can be promptly controlled by feeding dry or liquid skim milk or buttermilk and practicing proper sanitation in the brooder house and yards according to the laboratory ot of animal pathology and hygiene at the college of agriculture university of illinois there Is no effective treatment for adult carriers of the disease for young chicks dry milk should constitute 40 per cent of the mash and liquid skim milk or buttermilk should be fed straight these feeds should be before tho the chicks at all times for a period of two weeks and should be supplemented dally daily with a small amount of grain and green teed feed la Is a filth borne disease and consequently santi atlon tation to Is the foundation of control it was waa pointed out by dr J P torrey assistant pathologist of the 1111 illinois state department of agriculture who la Is stationed at the laboratory contaminated droppings become infective within 48 hours or more hence prompt and regular cleanliness in the brooder house hen house and yards is very necessary contaminated soil is the most common means of spread since the disease may live there for two or three years attendants often carry the infection into the brooder house bouse from contaminated yards A system of yard rotation or keeping the fowls on wire or concrete Is the only way to eliminate soil infestation the disease Is caused by microscopic protozoan parasites which develop and multiply in the walls odthe of the fowls intestines the acute fo form rm of the disease occurs most in chicks two to ten weeks of age and causes death without noticeable symptoms in attacks loss of appetite droop iness ruffled feathers dropping wings drawn ln in head and death in two to four days are some of the symptoms the droppings may be bloody brownish or quite dark bloody droppings usually are seen in the early stages of an outbreak the chronic form of the disease occurs mostly ln in older fowls and usually Is characterized by loss of appetite loss in weight dirty plumage paleness of the comb and wattles and sometimes paralysis since such fowls are usually carriers they should not be in contact with young chickens doubtful cases of the disease should be referred to the local veterinarian for diagnosis |