POULTRY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES.

THE FERTILITY QUESTION

Novice? arc often in doubt a* to how long after the birds have been mated the eggs will prove fertile Much depends on the vigour of the male, and the number of females with him. Six to ten days, however, should guarantee the eggs to be fertile, and they can then be safely sold for fitting or set under the broody,

OBJECTIONABLE EGG FLAVOURS. The flavour or odour of an egg may be noticeablv influenced by the feed given. This has" been demonstrated by feding hens heavily on maize, musty or smutty wheat, tainted meat, turnips, spites, or an excess of onions. The principles underlying feeding should be the providing of a mixed diet, and the avoidance of an excess of airy cne particular food. At times manv peculiarities are found in eggs, such as blood spots, a broken yolk, or some bacterial contamination. These are due largely to improper feeding, putrid meat, in the writer's opinion, being chiefly- ie6ponsible.

FEEDING FOR WINTER EGGS. The best cereal for winter egg-producing (writes Captain Ralph K. " Allen, in Monthly Hints on Poultry) is wheat and its' pnxfticts, therefore we may establish our first rule to feed sound wheat for the evening meal in the main. To stimulate the, hens'' appetites, short, thick, sound oats may occasionallv be substituted, and in extremely cold and gsvere weather a feed of maize, on account of its heating properties,- will be appreciated and prove beneficial.

A good handful per bird is a gocd guide as to quantity. ■ Bny soand" wheat.'" Off" corn, tailings, etc.; can often be purchased at a slight reduction perhaps 15 to 25 per cent, less, but their feeding'value is loss than 50 per cent, of the sound corn, so that their in- '.. quisition is false economy. The morning mash. Overnight scald .a v * quantity of biscuit meal to which meat is ■■ added, 'and in the morning dry it off to a >*• crumbly consistency with coarse middlings ' (the product of wheat). If it has been kept covered during the night it will be conveniently warm and the more appreciated by the fowls. -- CROP TROUBLES. Poultry-keepers frequently find birds moping' about with distended crops, Prac- • tically this is some form or another of •indigestion. In many cases the trouble is ■ caused by overfeeding, or in feeding with imp:oper" food. If pollard, unmixed with .'. bran or chaff, is given to poultry in a wet and cloggy condition, indigestion is almost sure to follow, with the result that the ■ crop becomes foul and distended with ,- water and gas. At other times indigestion may be caused by a stoppage oixuring through the bird swallowing dry grass, etc'., which "balls," and prevents the food getting away. Other things of a foreign nature may also cause this trouble. In either of these latter cases the crop has to be, emptied of its contents, and the crop rendered clean and wholesome.

When it is found to be necessary to empty the crop, a sharp knife or lancet has to be provided, for the, crop has to be cut open. Then the fowl to be operated upon is to be laid on a table or a bench, with the crop hanging over the edge, so that its contents when the cut Is made > may - fall ■_• away into a basin or pail. One person is required to hold the bird whilst ;'another operates. The bird's legs should be tied arid the feathers about the crop - removed. When placed, the knife or lance should'cut through the outer and inner skin of »the crop at its upper side; for this reason, that food when afterwards taken into the crop should not press against the wound. The cut should ex- . tend about three-quarters of an inch to an 'inch in length, and before removing the . knife something to keep the cut open should be placed in that is so that the orifice may be easily detected, for without some such guide a.difficulty may arise in finding the severed part. Having made the cut and kept the wound open, toinove the contents of the crop, and. if grass or foreign substance is there, (to this with great care. When the crop is dear, cleanse the crop with warm water, adding a little Condy's fluid to it. Then dry the bird and put about seven stitches into the outer skin, at the same time smearing the edge of the wound with a little carbolic oil. After the operation is completed remove the bird to a quiet pen away from other birds- Feed very lightly on easily digestible food for a fortnight. No grain should be given until after the bird has ' its liberty and is quite well. In cases of swollen crop caused bv indigestible food, some little medicine may rectify matters. Do not feed the bird, but instead pour oil down the throat, lirst emptying the crop of any water or liquid in it, which may be done bv holding the bird head down. With the nil in the crop, gently squeeze and manipulate the part so as to separate the mass of food, This kneading having been done, place the bird in a coop by itself and give nothing to eat. Some clean water into which a little Epsom sain aie dissolved may be left with the bird. At inteivals the kneading process is to be resumed, until the crop is free from the indigestible food. If thai cannot be passed the bit must be operated on as before mentioned.

CONSUMPTION' IN CHICKENS. One of the results of inbreeding and mismanagement among the fowls is consumption in the chicken-. Theie may often be voticed two or three chickens moping about with long kales and pale f-ices, while their wings appear too long for their bodies, .drooping to the ground, and the, birds appear to be too weak to stand. This condition is frequently due to want of fresh blood in tie poultry yaid. If taken, in time the chickens may recover, but, as they are seldom much good, and take up the' room of healthy birds, it is the wisest plan to kill them at once, at, it saves much time and trouble. Cod liver oil is the best thing to use for those desiring to try to effect a cine; quantity talf a teaspoonful for a chicken, two to three months old, and so on in'proportion.