POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

IBy

“New-Laid”)

New Method of Killing Lice. Having been advised that a Californian poultryman (W. R. Stewart) had discovered a new method of controlling external parasites in bis poultry flock with Black Leaf 40 (a by-product of tobacco), it was recently decided to try this preparation for freeing fowls of vermin at the Wallaceville Poultry Station (writes F. C. Brown, Chief Government Poultry Instructor! in the "Journal of Agriculture”). The result of the experiment was most satisfactory. Not only did the material have the effect of rapidly killing all kinds of insect pests that happened to be on the birds, but the treatment in no way upset the flock. The low cost of the necessary material, and the short, space of time required for its application as compared with the methods commonly employed in ridding fowls of vermin, such as dusting with insect-powder, dipping, etc., tire greatly in favour of the new method. Not only this, but the catching and handling of each bird for the purpose of dusting must necessarily upset the flock, and be followed by a reduced egg-yield. It is estimated that from 241 b. to 31b. of. Black Leaf 40 will be sufficient to free 1000 birds of any lice that may be upon them. Ttie material for this number can be effectively applied in about fifteen minutes, and the following is a good way of doing it: Make a small hole in two opposite corners of a small tin containing the material, and pass it along each perch, leaving a thin line of the liquid on the perch. Do this at dusk, just before the birds go to roost. For the treatment to be really effective it is important that all birds shall go or be placed on the perches, and not allowed to roost in odd corners of the house. Birds that are in broody-coop, etc., may be freed from vermin by dipping a feather into the liquid and drawing it under both wings, or by putting' a small amount on the breast feathers.

There are many kinds of insect vermin which attack fowls. The object, however, of the experiment referred to was to kill those kinds which live continually on the body. Among those most commonly known to poultry-keepers is the ordinary bodylouse. Its favourite location is surrounding the abdominal region. Then there is a distinct form of louse which affects the head. There is also the depluming mite, of minute size, which is usually found at the root of the feathers. Another form of louse, which Is probably more responsible for birds acquiring the habit of feather-pulling than any other cause, is usually located on the quills on the inside of the wing-feathers. One may reasonably assume the feather-pull-ing habit would soon disappear from flocks troubled in that way if the Black Leaf 40 treatment for.lice were resorted tO. ; , , . As opportunity arises further experiments will be conducted in dealing with parasites, both internal and external, which are seriously affecting the profitmaking power of so many poultry flocks in the Dominion.

Timely Hints. Watch tile growing pullets. On these the future of your plant largely depends. See that they do not have a setback, or their growth will be impaired. If this happens, it will be reflected in the size of the birds, and the size and number of eggs laid. Wherever possible, rear pullets on free range, and put them in .the laying sheds when foul- months old. Two of the main reasons for poor growth, providing the parent stock were sound, is overcrowding and all the evils which accompaniy it, and insufficient green’ feed. Do not stint the green feed. If your own supply is insufficient, make some sacrifice of time or money to obtain some. ■ Feed meatmeal sparingly, or not at all. Let your aim be to grow a good-framed pullet, which will stand heavy feeding later.

When white marks appear near joints and crevices in perches and woodwork, it may be safely concluded that red mites are present. These pests multiply quickly during hot weather, and unless destroyed, will do a lot of harm to growing stock and layers. Paint perches periodically with a mixture of kerosene and waste oil. If waste oil is not procurable, strong kerosene emulsion will do. A change of ground has a stimulating effect on laying flocks, especially if their range has been a restricted one Ducks are not quitee like hens in this respect, as they take some little time to get used to new surroundings. Providing the area is a reasonable one, and it can be kept reasonably clean, it is best to let well alone.

The Poultry-Keeping Business. Business concerns of any kind are dependent lor success on the elimination vt waste, wiietuer it ue Of time, material or money. Poultry farming does not Untei from oilier occupations in this respect, must be mi a lov.cr level, it tnereime behoves those engaged ill tlie industry to examine their meuiods of working and to seek to lower the cost of production. one is olieii asked how many layers It is necessary io keep to make a living, bo inuen depends on the individual and_ his nidthods that it is impossible tu say. W here out) layers may return from £3 to Do a week, uiey may snow a iuss under dillcrcul luanagcincHi. To ue successful the following conditions are necessaryyAilequate capital, a sound, practical training in the business, a favourable bite, ceinuiuiisem»e business management, aad personal attention to details. .Successes are sometimes made in the übseifee of one or more of these conditions, but never without the last two, which are more or less synonymous, and become of greater importance still when capital or practical experience is lacking, or local conditions are nut good. The margin of profit In poultry farming is not great, and the leakages or sources of loss are generally small, varied, and numerous, and often difficult of discovery. Personal attention to details is the only means of discovering these leakages and of preventing their multiplication to the Itimate elimination of inost 'or ail profit. Many Leakages. In feeding there are many leakages. Fowls should be fed what they need aud no more, and in such places and times as will ensure their making the best use of the food provided. A scale of feeding suitable for winter egg-production is quite unsuitable for summer. More bran and greenfeed witli less pollard and meatmeal may be fed at this time of tlie year. This makes for economy and prevents the layers becoming overla t. Some say it is impossible to make a good layer fat, but one must remember that menus cannot be prepared for individuals, and that a ration to suit the average layer in a flock must be fed. Grain is more expensive to feed than mash, and .during the summer a light feed of mash may replace 50 per cent, of the grain ration. . To feed too little or too poor a ration is just as surely a leak, only in a different way, as to feed too much. Production is tile best guide.' If the birds lay well and keep in good hard condition there cannot be much wrong with the feeding. Broody liens, if allowed to accumulate in the nests, become not only a charge on tlie layers, but many eggs will be broken and the nests become the breeding ground for vermin. Worthless surplus male birds are another source of loss. Only a few of the very best should be retained after the breeding season is finished. How to raise sturdy pullets. For the production of eggs two things are necessary—tlie physical well-being of tlie bird and tlie food to produce eggs. The latter should not be of a forcing nature, but a well-balanced ration of mash and grain, which will build up tlie pullet physically, keep her growing even after she lias commenced laying. find give her that sturdiness of build and brightness of eye so necessary to produce eggs in large quantities. There is a mash on the market which lias been worked out by a scientist and tested by practical poultrymen, and which if fed in conjunction with a properly balanced mixed grain, will do all that is claimed. It contains all the ingredients necessary, including milk, is reason-., able in price and is marketed along with the mixed grain, under the name of Sturdy. Don't .forget the green feed. You are sure not to forget tlie eggs.— AdvL