POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

(lly "Chanticleer.")

Why Colds Break Out Amongst Poultry. In a tour of inspection 1 found the following causes:—(l) The buildings were fncin&c the wrong iiireefit'ii instead oT north, and, although the cubit, space was sufficient, the quarters eleiui, the _ feeding right, and the many other requirements ns they should he, the winds aud the rain kept tile birds uncomfortable and caused crowding, sweating, aud made them easy victims to the variable climate. (2) Tho flock was fed heavily on potatoes (mixed with pollard, etc.). but. the birds were ■ sluggish. Well fed, certainly, as far as quantity was concerned, but so lazy as to be susceptible to anything going, and iu this case the colds quickly developed into roup in' a most virulent, form. (3) Tho buildings were too shallow, and gave tho birds little or no proteetio.u from cold winds. A building of correct depth on the same property gave excellent results, al- : though other conditions were equal. (4) Tho birds were loose in the feather, caused by foods that gave but little warmth, too much brewer's "grains, an overabundance of bran, waste cabbage, impure water, eto. The accommodation was satisfactory. but the bivds were never warm, ! and colds .were prevalent. Tlicro wero many other causes, such as insects, etc., but they would take too long to enumerate, buL where tho flock was kept iu houses ton to twelve feet deep facing tho warm- : est quarter, kept free from insect life, fed I with foods that gavo warmth without producing too much flesh, tho corn scattered in litter to create exercise. Clean water, regular attendance, and not overcrowded, the birds seldom caught cold, nnd camo into profit "as soon as natural conditions would allow. Tho Value of the Male Bird. The breeding season will now s6on bo 1 upon us, aud too much caro cannot bo j taken iu.the selection of tho ''cock of tho ! walk." It is not an uncommon custom i for poultry-keepers to . cast a. cursory 1 glance at the rooster, and 1 so long as I "the eggs arc fertile," that is all that I matters. The results, however, prove otherwise. !tno phrase "does poultry pay?" has bccODie,so hackneyed that it becomes , tiresome; certainlv it will not pay unless the importance of the male is. fully re- ! cognised,' and he bp, given credit for what , ■ ho is worth, which is "half the flock." Tho { ■ mere male may be considered in some j i walks of life as immaterial, but if eggs J aro expectcd he must have been bred from' proved prolific stock, a'nd purchased from; someone who values his reputation. Apart from his ancestry, lie nlust have been hatched out early in the season, been well fed, well housed, given "every care aud opportunity to develop the stamina and vigour that would be demanded of him. lie must also bo of the approved type and carriage, aud should, have the show points. that'add beauty to utility. What, then, is he worth? To answer that question would be to 1 create a hornet's ucst about one's ears; Suffice it to say that lie-must not! be expected for a few shillings. To rear him .to the required- standard entails a. deal of work, patience, expense, and oxpert selection, and if you want anything good you must cxpcct to have to pay for it. Tho 'results, however, are usually so pleasing and in such marked contrast to th 6 - mediocre, common garden variety of bird that the visitor has only to look at the "cock of tlia walk" to form the opinion that. tho owner of tho bird derives both pleasure and profit from his flock of poultry.