DISEASE INFECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 21

DISEASE INFECTION

So often advice is given to feed the evening grain meal scattered in the floor litter. This advice is well meant, with a view to making the birds scratch in tho litter and so obtain exercise. Yet whilst picking up each grain, the birds are very likely to pick up disease infection, especially the "eggs" of inteistinal worms. This is more likely to happen when no dropping boards are used and when tho birds are very hungry. It is much wiser to feed the bulk of the grain ration in the troughs, scattering just a little grain in tho litter, so that after the birds have had a fair meal they may continue poking around for the odd grain hidden in the litter. Try to keep the surface litter clean by continually adding more straw, say once a week or once a fortnight.

Another source of infection is the drinking trough site. So often the tin or tap leaks a little and damp spots exist. Most disease "bugs" require both dampness and warmth to incubate, and such places are particularly dangerous. With the advent of warm spring weather coccidiosis will spread quickly, and the latest control is regular dosing with Epsom salts, combined with as much clean range as possible. Never place a batch of young chicks on ground where adults or older chicks have been running.