GUARD AGAINST AILMENTS.

Matamata Record, Volume XI, Issue 932, 28 June 1928, Page 1

GUARD AGAINST AILMENTS.

DISEASE IN POULTRY. On a farm where a large number of poultry is kept, it,is hard.y likely that winter will pass without one or two cases of ailing amongst the birds. At any rate, we must keep a sharp lookout for any symptons which may appear and take them in hand at once. If neglected and allowed to spread, we shall only have ourselves to blame, and it will be all the more difficult to stamp out epidemics.

The three seasons in the year, when we ought specially to guard against ailments, are: Firstly, from now until the worst of the winter is over; secondly, during the rearing of the chickens in. the breeding season; and, thirdly, during the moult, when birds are.liable to contract colds, consumption, etc.

Causes Probably 75 per cent, of cases of illness amongst poultry aie due to faultv, general management, and ig no.anee as to the common causes and usual symptoms of such ailments. W c advise periodical examiuat ons of the birds. The mere handling ot a bird is often sufficient to tell us tnat something is wrong, e.g., a breast bone, more like a knife blade than anything else suggests tuberculosis or “going light.”

Even a peep into the poultry house as sown as the birds have all scitled in ror the night may be sunicieu. to enable us to detect colds, coughs and bronchitis; we have only to keep quiet and listen for sneezing, cough. n a ui wheezing.

On a general farm it is. not easy to spare much extra time on the pouitiy, though it will pay to occasionally n,pecc the birds. The best prevention <u ailments is to bring ur general maoage.nent up to date, wall special attention to cleanliness, ventilation and housing accommodation.

The benefits of sunshine are not suxlic'oiitly valued; we do not get a great deal of this treat in thepwinter, but when we are so treatcu, Jet the poultry share with us its blessings. Open up the houses, let down the shutters, allow both the sun and air to penetiate, and give the birds the chance to “sunbath. ’ ’

Now we have a ways said that “prevention is better than cure,” and the above advice should make this possible. Still, it would be fool sh if we did not add the well-known Scout motto, Be prepared.” And so we intend giving a list of ordinary medicines which ought to be found on the farm ready to hand when needed, without some of which valuable birds might be lost. The Medicine Chest Ammoniated Quinine. —Always useful in cases of cold, bronchitis, and even the first stage of roup. Boracic Acid and Ointment. These possess great Jiealing qualities, and are invaluable for sores, cuts, comb and eye trouble, etc. Epsom Salts. —No farm should be without this valuable saline. It is a very good plan periodical.y to give m the drinking water a dose of salts to ; the whole flock; it will keep their bowels in good order.

Eucalyptus. —As with human hoir.gs. so with fowls, a good cure for ordinary colds.

Glycerine and Vaseline.—Both useful for dressing wounds; the fitter, too, is a good preventive of ‘ frostbite which large-combed birds arc susceptible to in extremely severe weather.

Sulphur Powder and Ointment—The former is good for the blood, and it also assists in the process of feathering during the moult; the latter is useful m the case of scaly leg, so prevalent amongst farm poultry. Castor Oil. —A quick remedy in cases of constipation, diarrhoea, liver trouble, etc.

Sweet Oil. —Safer than the above in the case of constipation amongst small chickens; very beneficial with birds suffering from egg binding and other ovary and vent troubles. A useful lubricant for both interior and exterior purposes. Tonics. —Parrish’s food, Douglas mixture, and cod liver oil are all very beneficial.

Sundries. —Among these we _ advise keeping in stock ipecacuanha wine, turpentine and creosote and disinfectants.