A GENERAL PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 27

A GENERAL PROBLEM

%TheS; disposal of droppings and cleanings from fowlsheds is always a probi lem to the small and large poultrykeeper. Where a large garden is available the manure can be used profitably up to a point, but on some plants steps must be taken, to dispose of, the . surplus .. quickly, and preferably '.at a profit. Often arrangements can-be made , with a nearby market-gardener to. purchase all of the manure, or neighbours may require odd lata..for. .their gardens... The important point, however, from the poultryman's viewpoint is that the manure must be taken off the place in order to prevent the. increase' of disease, infection. So many, will not realise^ the danger of infegtion.from dung heaps. Time and again, one sees experienced- poultrymenj with heaps ot cleanings left out in the fowl yard; a few' even imagine that,, it is good forthe hens to scratch in these -heaps!' Tin particular coccidiosls and .intestinal w,orms will be encouraged if manure is left about and there is little- doubt that these two parasitic diseases account for more trouble than most others. The "eggs" of coccidia-and intestinal worms are passed out'- with the droppings and under suitable conditions (usually warmth and dampness) these eggs will' incubate . and be.come dangerous to fowls that eat,them when picking" up insects, etc. The ideal method is to store all manure in' a special shed, leaving it there to dry out and selling direct from the shed. If mixed with' dry earth the manure will keep.well and be far more valuable than-when in a wet state. It is useless sacking the manure, as sacks will rot almost in 1 a few days, unless, of course, the i manure is thoroughly dried first. ■ Sour ground, which has had a number of fowls on it for some months is a real menace to good health. The old authorities state that- not more' than- 100 birds should be grazed to the acre, yet.today we see as many as 500 running to the acre! Divided runs are ideal where one side can be

rested or cropped while the other is in use, and good drainage and periodical liming will work wonders in some yards. Digging over the ground is not always effective in removing disease infection and if a good turf of grass is required digging is • certainly not recommended unless the young grass can be grazed with sheep or livestock until such time as the ground is firm and the root system of the grass well ■established. Those bare spots near the front of the sheds are a continual source of trouble and movable sheds have much to commend - them. For those with limited land' available the house and open scratching shed are better than a house only and a small run. The scratching shed should be quite open except for a roof and, say, back and one side wall, so arranged that little or no rain reaches the floor. Plenty of scratching'litter (dry leaves from the garden will do) should be provided so that the birds will procure exercise and warmth cv'en during wintry days. .. ■ . .