POULTRY NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1938, Page 21

POULTRY NOTES

SCALY LEG MITE

SUITABLE TREATMENT

The writer recently was asked to select some stock birds on a general farm where about 300 Australorp aliens were kept. In particular the farmer asked that breeders be selected^ that would not produce young stock with such "large crusty legs," as far too many went lame and died! This farmer is a'good farmer well known in his district; but it is only recently that he has started, a. poultry flock as a side-lin,e,-and- his original birds were purchased in the open market. Practically every fowl on the farm was very severely attackedj with the scaly mite, , a small insect which burrows under the. scales on the legs and. feet and causes that unsightly rough, crust to form on top.of the leg scales. Treatment in the early stages-is so simple that only sheer ignorance will allow this trouble to become established. In nearly every case where scaly leg is common infection has resulted from rearing chicks under hens that have scaly legs. The mites pass from the hen to the chicks, and although the scales do not appear until the chicks are almost mature,, a careful examination when the chicks are even three months' old will disclose some scales forming. Thus the -first rule is to never use a broody hen that has scaly legs. One cannot treat her while she is sitting, as the grease used for treatment might spoil the eggs. If- because of a dire shortage of broody

hens, a position which is becoming

more acute every season/ foster mothers with scaly legs must be used, then treatment of the hen should be

made as soon as the chicks are over

a fortnight old, and the chicks themselves must be treated periodically until they are mature. The idea of the treatment is to kill

the mite responsible, and as all mites strongly object to grease in any form, treatment is _ not difficult. Many use mixed old car oil and kerosene, simply dipping the legs into a small tin of this mixture. If infestation is bad this is a good first treatment. Soak the legs for a moment or two so that the

oil. penetrates into the rough surface. A solution' which has proved very effective is a rough home-made mixture of about equal parts of'lard, flowers of sulphur, and kerosene. . First, rub the sulphur into the slightly warmed lard and then thin down. the mixture by slowly adding the kerosene until a greasy soft mixture results. When applying the mixture 'must be well rubbed into every crevice in the legs and feet. Treatment must be repeated every fortnight until all signs of activity' of the mite*are gone. The legs of badly attacked fowls will never become quite normal again, but the rough scaly growth will drop off. Never force this growth' off or great pain will result to the birds. Above all remember that treatment when the birds are from three to six months old will considerably help matters, and if any signs .of the trouble exist on the farm, general treatment of all birds will be well rewarded. Once the infection is checked little trouble should result in the future. Heavy breeds are far more subject to infestation than light breeds.

GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATION.

For some years poultrymen; particularly hatcherymen, have asked for some form of control of prices, and recently the Director-General of Agriculture offered assistance in the form of certified breeding stock. It appears that this offer is not going to be accepted, since the South Island breeders appear disinterested, and now the secretary of the New Zealand Poultry Producers' Federation (Mr. •A. J. Severn) has sent out a brief circular reporting an important meeting held prior to Christmas in Wellington. This meeting was called by Messrs, Mumby, Stent, and Severn, and followed another meeting held almost, a year, ago. Only eight poultrymen were present, though fourteen wrote in stating their views and regretting being unable to attend. It must be noted that this meeting was called very hurriedly ' and at a most inconvenient date." The meeting was supposed to be representative 'of the Wellington Province, but the report mentions nothing of importance beyond the fact that Messrs. Mumby and Morris were appointed to act with delegates from other centres, and that "all present" felt that the proposals might be of too drastic a nature at the present juncture.

Time and again poultrymen and poultry organisations have asked for help from the Government, but when a definite scheme is promoted and presented for their opinion it is rejected. With any Government measure it must be all of nothing, for no officer can be expected to act as'a private individual would in reaching an important deci-., sion. The situation must be covered by a certain regulation, and rightly so. Once again it appears that much valuable work on the part of those interested is going to be neglected. If the scheme as outlined is too drasticj surely those concerned can outline certain modifications? Why was the meeting left until a few days before Christmas? Why when 150 circulars had been sent out did responses come from only 22? Part of the trouble, is.due to poor organisation, although ample warning has been given through the poultry Press and elsewhere, and part is due to the general apathy of those concerned. No doubt a few who previously wanted protection have changed their, opinion when faced with having to. comply with some of. the .regulations set out. In other words/ they are. not y;et ready to have their farms' andHheir stock, thoroughly inspected with'a'vyiew to acceptance. WhEit a chance -■will be lost if something; : ;is : jnot',don'e;;s:sojpn. : Poultrymen :can caliche iuiiif but ifiey. must, learn-: the notes flrst. ' The * Gpv-;' ernment is anxious' to., help,: andi.a sporting offer -has -been ; : made;... It iis tq be .hoped that, a' furthervmeeting: will be called at.,a: more 'convenient time./. ;\/:■•-:';V--;.. ■: .W ;^..';,;.;i- ■'*,'■

THE SEX OF DUCKLINGS

.A; correspondent wants to know how to1 tell the c'rakes from the ducks, in"' a; .batch of ■<young ...ducklings.',; Most people wait: until the ducklings are about: ten t'o. twelve; vweeks 'old, when the-drake's acquire a curl -in their tail, but-their, sex .can be told long'before this,. in fact 'any s time:after1 the(duck-. lings:.are(frqm(six, to ./eight", weeks old by.:making them(quack,,.;( Those .that give a good (hearty; quack,' are .ducks,, but, the'. drakes: ; will;:. utter: a ■ hissysquawk, 0n1y... 'There"(is'< no heed "to separate the:sexes until the ducks are about four (month's/ old, but vif the drakes : are not required, for. breeding purposes they",. should .bfe: - killed for table /use: when from: ten.: to twelve weeks old.-At; this age they :are\' well fatted and 'covered with''.meat;.' 'Later, they ' put oh; more' feather and: lose some, condition. -A"close■ examination will enable any poultryman.to sex .dayold ducklings. If the services of: a

chick-sexing, expert are obtained for a lesson or two anyone can sex ducklings, and with an accuracy not nearly so difficult to. acquire as with fowls.

I In rearing ducklings great care must be taken to see that the water supply never runs short. Eye trouble, cramp, dizziness, and paralysis may develop from a shortage of drinking water. The water contained, even, for baby ducklings, must be deep enough so that the ducklings can immerse the;r whole heads. This is essential for the proper washing of their bills and the cleaning of the passage from the mouth to the eyes and from the eyes to the nostrils. If by accident' the water supply is neglected, "give the ducklings a very light feed of mash first, then a light drink of slightly-warmed water. Later, allow a full feed and as much water as they need. Cramp results from too much cold water on an empty stomach. It may also result from sleeping on a wet floor, so care should be taken to see that the coop litter is kept dry until the ducklings are well feathered. If a- large number of ducklings are being reared they should be kept in a shed at night and the whole litter well aired each morning.: If hay: or straw is used on the floor this is: best forked over or forked on top of & netting frame to allow it to dry before being put down for the next night.