Notes for the Poultry Keeper

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7299, 28 October 1933, Page 9

Notes for the Poultry Keeper

(By J. H. Kissling, Massey College.) Coccidiosiß With the approach of wanner weather this disease with the long name will cause lack of vitality in the growing chick if fresh clean range is not provided. No other poultry disease is so troublesome, for an attack of coccidiosis is almost a certainty seeing that all adult birds are carriers, and whereover they have been running will be “infected'’ ground. If it is realised that this disease is duo to a kind of small parasite that lives in the lower portion of the intestines, eating the food that the fowl should be absorbing and irritating the lining of the bowels, then will the poultry keeper appreciate the harm that it does. Often it will not kill, but just weakens tho infected bird, causing loss of vitality and stunted growth. There is no certain cure. Precautions apart from virgin ground stock include cleanliness and dryness. Both moisture and warmth are required for the germination of the “egg” of tho disease, which accounts for the more serious attacks in the spring and autumn. Extreme cold, such as frosts, and direct sunlight will help to rupture the egg. Disinfectants will not destroy it, though boiling water is most effeetive. In preparing the brooders for the young or growing chicks use plenty of sand, with wheaten straw on top. Take care to clean out tho droppings at least every two days. Infection will cease just as soon as tho chicks stop eating the eggs, so that treatment consists not of treating tho birds internally but of destroying tho eggs before consumption. Research workers have been trying for many years to find a method of treatment, and except that tho feeding of sour milk is said to be of assistance, liittle progress has been made. The trouble lies in tho fact that the esat of infection is so low down in the bowels that any poison given to kill the parasite will be absorbed in the bloodstream before it reaches the ceca where the chief infection is located. Keep the feeding tins or trays quite clean, as when the food is mixed with the droppings, more eggs are taken into the chick. Especial caro should be exercised with the water supply. Don’t spill tho water, leaving a damp spot in which the eggs will incubate, and above all keep the young chicks away from adult stock. Serious infection from coccidiosis is one of the chief reasons why late-hatched chicks do not thrive as well as those hatched earlier in the season. Especially does this apply when they are not given new quarters. The only evidence of infection which tho layman can notice is a general lack of vitality, coupled with rod, blood-like matter in the droppings. Laboratory inspection is required to make certain. The Importance of Type. Type in poultry is really body shape. Type makes tho breed and colour of the variety. To tho man in the street, a fowl is a fussy thing that flies up when approached, but to the specialist breeder the shape and build of a bird makes all the difference. In the first place types are set out in the standard of perfection which define one breed from another, and unless one’s strain conforms to the recognised type, they cannot be accepted as good specimens of their breed. Certainly a nice comb, or a nice tail are additional features, but shape must bo established beforo all else. The Englishman in his favour, describes a breed, but will not give an exact outline of it. The American, however, has given us plates of the birds to work to, which is far more satisfactory. New Zealand had her own standard once, purely a utility one, and whilst it differed'from others, the plates given were recognised as almost ideal for utility use. Whether or not there should be a fancy type a utility type in the one breed, is quite another point. Before a breeder can produce a good strain of a breed he must master tho written and drawn standard. He should be able to shut his eyes and picture the perfect bird. Only then will he be able to breed and select towards that ideal.

That judges do not all agree on the perfect shape is most regrettable but it is none the less true. Those who will study tho American standards will find that they are easily the best yet produced. In one breed alone do they differ widely from the English and that is our common White Leghorn. Yet their answer is that our Leghorn is not a breed apart, but just something like a Minorca. Theory is all very well at times and those that have kept the American type of Leghorn have found them very good layers of large eggs. Quite apart froni type, if a good layer of full two ounce eggs is desired, she must be of fair size. All the more so if she is also required as a breedeer. General Notes. One hatchery in Sydney has turned out almost half a million day-old chicks this season. Largo electric incubators ar6 used and a staff of about seven is employed just “hatching eggs.’’ Growing chicks, just at weaning time, are liable to crowd into corners and crush each other at night. Round off any likely corners with small-mesh netting. Get rid of any surplus male birds as quiickly as possible unless they are required for future breeding use. If the eggs are inclined to get very dirty in the nests, try putting a layer of sand underneath the straw. The eggs should be collected more often during hot weather.

Fertility and hatchability appears to have been better this year than for a long time. Wet and windy weather will often cause poor fertility. After the male has been removes for 21 days every egg will be quite in fertile. Do not save the eggs for incubation more than a few days after the male has been removed. Lettuce makes one of the best of green feeds, whilst sour thistles aro easily procured. There is still time to

plant lucerne seed if a plot is required. A few flax plants in the fowl run will provide good shelter which tho birds will not easily destroy. Birds that are too fat should have loss grain and a weekly dose of an ounce of Epsom salts to every 20 adults. Dissolve the salts in the liquid used for mixing the mash. Thoroughly overhaul incubators and appliances beforo storing them away for use next year. Although busy, it may be difficult to secure sparo parts in a hurry next year and it is always easier when ono is familiar with the faults. Feed some onions or onion tops to tho growing chicks to control intestinal worms; there is nothing better. EGO LAYING CONTEST 29 th. WEEK’S RESULTS

Team Results.

Single Peiis. Section B. Mrs Dimant, B.O. — (7) 123 T. Douthwaite, B.O. 1 (6) 145 2 (7) 168 A. G. Frankkam, B.O. — (6) lllx Mrs Hellaby, B.O. 1 (0) 159 2 (6) 122 Larsen Bros., B.O. 1 (7) 177 2 (0) 46d 3 16) 147 Mrs Scarrott, B.O. 1 (6) 132 2 (6) 155 Mrs Waddell, B.O. 1 16) 154x 2 (0) 140d W. E. Watson, B.O. — (7) 132 Mrs Davey, L.S. — (7) 7S.\ Mrs Youngson, Blc.W. — (0) 78x K. Mouldcy, K.I.R. — (7) 131 Section A. Okas. Barker, W.L. 1 (4) 142 2 (5) 98x A. Strawbridge, W.L. 1 (5) 99 Mrs Cannon, W.L. — (7) 159 G. H. Cross, W.L, — (5) 96 E. M. Galvin, W.L. 1 (5) 146x 2 (5) 158x 3 (5) 79 J. T. Hazlewood, W.L. 1 (5) 152 2 (1) 132 Mrs Hellaby, W.L. — (6) 162 Mrs Dimant, W.L. — (6) 96 J. Ibbotson, W.L. — (5) 126 W. J. McAloon, W.L. — (7) 130 D. Kruse, Anc. 1 (4) 132 2 (3) 126x Miss Mitchell, W.L. — (5) 151 A. G. Mumby, W.L. 1 (6) 149 2 '(6) 136 Mrs Stewart, W.L. 1 (2) 129 2 (4) 156 A. Strawbridge, W.L. 2 (5) 124 3 (4) S9 W. H. Barker, W.L. 1 (5) 107 2 (7) 121x 3 (5) 106 J. Smith, Anc. 1 (5) 108 2 (5) 76 W. F. Stent, Min. 1 (6) 75 2 (6) SO A. R. Watson, Br.L. 1 (7) 136 2 (3) 92x Mrs Youngson, Bk.L. — (6) 114

Section D. (Ail B.O.) M. L. Boyce. 113 152 171s 97 142 141 (29) 816 Larsen Bros. 117s 101s 127 101s 106x 120 (38) 672 Mrs Hellaby 68 108 138 80 116 157 (25) 667 Mrs Warren (37) 570 85 83s 115s 123 95 69 Mrs Scarrott (28) 462 81 70 75s 97 45d 94 Section O. P. B. Harrison, W.L. (33) 816 144s 139 162 129 129 113 F. S. Allen, W.L. 144 119s 155 152 67d 165s (31) 802 Mrs. G. Hillman, W.L. 119 128 120 130x 132 149x (31) 778 H. A. Lucas, W.L. (28) 711 143 114 147 138 66 103 E. B. Wainscott, W.L. (25) 689 120x 135 140 102 GOd 132 F. T. Wimble, W.L. 89 136 96 92 121 146 (32) 680 Mrs Hellaby, W.L. (26) 659 104 97 115 149 157s 37d J. T. Hazlevrood, W.L. (33) 657 97s 114 84 101 139s 122 Miss Mitchell, W.L. (26) 644 126 120 97 115 72 114 A. G. Mumby, W.L. (25) 573 116 86x 81 96 91 103 A. Strawbridge, W.L. (24) 540 81 113 123 45d 78s 100 S. D. Morris, W.L. 93s 119 19d 120 43d 127 (21) 521 W. G. King, W.L. 80s 89 29d 80s 104 92 (27) 480 G. E. Manning, W.L. 25d 92 54 101 66 81s (27) 419 W. F. Stent, Min. 66 34 50 97x 55 101 (19) 403 “x” Disqualified, egg weight clause. “d” Bird dead.