POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 237, 3 September 1927, Page 11

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) Many a good hatch, or what gave every indication of being a good hatch, has been ruined by a thunderstorm. At least, the effects of such a visitation have been blamed for causing many a bad hatch. But just how much these storms do affect a hatch is more or less guess work. However, there are not a few poultrymen who are moro or less anxious. Some are not. One who knows said that, despite the recent storm, some of his best hatches had come through it none the worse: A good deal depends upon the age of the chick within the shell we. are told; others say that, when the incubator is on a wooden floor, which increases vibration, the effect is bad. “Brooder” would welcome any certain information regarding the effects of the storm upon hatches. It would be interesting to pass on. to readers. WORMS AND THEIR REMEDY. The most frequent cause of worms in chickens is the insanitary state of the land on which fowls are housed. Sometimes, however, it is due to the debilitated condition of the birds. Since worms are rarely seen in the excrement, unless a close examination is made, which is seldom the case, the chickens are treated for quite another disease, and thus the worms secure a very firm hold. As soon as this happens, the birds become miserable in appearance; their feathers lose their lustre, and they stand huddled up in the corners of the house or run. The following treatment is recommended by a writer in the New Zealand Poultry Journal: —“One grain of santonin and 7 grains of areca nut given to each bird after an hour s lasting. No food should be given for three hours after the dose has been administered. Before supplying any food the chickens should be given a dose of Epsom salts, as much as will cover a threepenny bit. Remove tho droppings until a cure has been effected.” GREEN FEED. Garden time is fast approaching and the best advice that can be given to a poultryman is to cultivate every inch of the ground available and- plant green feed. It is not enough merely to have for the fowls what is not required for household purposes. They will probably require more than the family does; though not the quantity. Spinach, known to have a large amount of tonic food in it, and especially silver beet are easily grown and may be in the garden all the year round. These and other green foods should be planted and grown if the birds are to be kept laying at top. A LETTER. “One Interested” writes: “Re your notes a few weeks ago regarding lack of organisation amongst poultrymen in the Manawatu, i agree with you in this matter and. would like to instance several things which need looking to at once. At present there is no organised body in the Manawatu to cope with such problems as export. We are nearing the glut season and except in isolated cases, no effort is being made to meet this prospect ol a heavy surplus in our egg supplies. This question is vital to the interests of all poultry keepers and should be taken in hand at once. Then, again, where are the lectures we used to have when a discussion on the breed points of the different classes of fowls we rear was encouraged; again, reliable information was obtainable on how to lay out and manage a poultry plant. Just now, while breeding is in progress, would it not be in the i interests of all keen poultrymen to have a ‘field day’ when visits could be made to the poultry yards and farms of some of the leading poultry farmers in the district? \Vould. not a wealth, of mformation be thus obtained ? Here might I suggest we Manawatu poultrymen take advantage of tho help of the Government poultry instructors. Surely we can make use of their expert knowledge and I am sure it would bo willingly given. Space forbids me enlarging here upon the need for more organised effort in. the Manawatu. I feel sure that there is a desire for something to be done and I would suggest that a meeting be called for this purpose. When it is, I shall be glad to give all the assistance I can.” Since writing the notes mentioned by “One Interested,’’ “Brooder” has discovered not a few interested enough to attend a meeting if called. Once sufficient are found arrangements will be made. “Brooder” intends to send a copy of the aforegoing letter to Mr F. C. Brown, chief Government expert, seeking his help in the efforts to get poultrymen together again in the Manawatu,