POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2084, 27 March 1922, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES

(By "The Cackler.") A WARNING. When the winter period approaches there is danger of trouble in the poultry yard from colds which are more or less- chronic in nature, often producing serious results. Changeable climatic conditions, chilly winds and dampness m poultry houses are conducive to chronic colds. Old hens are in a particularly susceptible condition, as most of them are either in or just through a moult. The department of poultry husbandry of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, says a local journal, advises the poultryman to pay particular attention to the housing of his birds. Much can be done at this time towards eliminating the annual losses from colds, and roup and contagious diseases, which appear later, lu general, it is best to keep the birds fainy closely confined t 0 the poultry house, which should be cleaned and disinfected. Chronic colds cause watery and sometimes swollen eyes and nostrils Dirt and tilth accumulate in the nostrils. Often the germs of roup and similar diseases grow in this manner. A bird suffering from a severe cold seems to be 'especially susceptible to these diseases. If a bird shows symptoms of a cold the affected parts should be washed with a disinfectant solution. It is well to isolate the bird from the rest of the flock for a few days, keeping it in a dry, clean place. The chronic cold in itself is not contagious, but the early stages of roup and other contagious diseases are similar in nature. Constant watchfulness and careful treatment during the early stages of the trouble will save many birds that otherwise might be lost. NOTES. Watch for lice, as they are apt to cause much trouble. All quarters must be kept clean if you want the best results. With perches, cleanliness must be constantly attended to. Milk can be used either as a drink or to moi.sten the mashes. Luring the summer months poultry must have plenty of shade. Never give large pieces of food. It often results in crop binding. Care should be taken that there are no objectionable things about.

The litter or earth should be renewed every now and then.

With proper management, crooked breast bones can be prevented. Be kind and gentle to the youngsters, and never frighten them. Sudden weather changes will bring about a set-back with many birds. Weed out the unprofitable and your flock average will be a better one. The internal arrangements of any poultry house cannot be too simple. Do not give egg shells to hens; it has a tendency to induce egg-eating. If you are using runs you must have shady trees of some sort in each.

High, well-drained, sandy slopes are the ideal situations for poultry farms.

Whenever a chick or older bird dies it should be burnt immediately. "Grow plenty of lucerne" is the advice given if you want to make poultry pay.

It should be remembered that economy docs not mean semi-starva-tion.

Have everything in the poultry house movable, including roosts and nests.

All birds that may be used for breeders should be single tested at once.

Poultry will thrive and prove very profitable if reasonable treatment be given.

Feed a generous supply of wholesome foods, but see that none is wasted.

The first consideration in any mixture is to see that it is acceptable to the birds.

.As green stuff, especially lucerne, is so easily grown, no one should be without it. With regard to foods for poultry, the range from which one can choose is a wide one.

It is absolutely necessary that you should feed a regular supply of green or vegetable,food. When using milk for drinking purposes, do not allow it to stand too long and get dirty. Perches should be kept low, and if more than one is used, they should all be on the same level. Sloppy mashes often cause diarrhoea, and in any case will rarely produce a ])roper vgg return. A surplus of cockerels are a distinct loss to the farmer whose aim is prolit in the form of egg production.

By careful and regular attention and a liberal supply of mixed foods, layers can be kept up to concert pitch. Birds fed well, as far as grain is concerned, may have leg weakness, owing to a deficiency of lime salts in the food.

In very changeable and really wet and windy weather —and we have had it lately—a tonic may save trouble with poultry. The time has arrived when we must know definitely the breeding of each stud bird, and the pedigrees of the sire and dam. Any chick that shows any sign of weakness should be killed at once, as it would be of little use in he breeding pen if it were kept. It is now known that hens with ovarian troubles actually lay eggs with the germs of white scour in the bacillary form within them Green food keeps the birds in health. The want of it —the failure to feed it in sufficient quantities—will often lead to disaster or failure.

Separate the sexes as soon as possible; but should you leave them together, the cockerels must be separated when they commence to annoy the pullets. When dealing with the quantity of food to be given, a constant watch must be kept upon the egg supply, the condition of the birds, and their behaviour at the feed trough.