TROUBLES IN SPRING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 5

TROUBLES IN SPRING.

SEASONABLE AILMENTS. METHODS OF TREATMENT. " USEFUL PRECAUTIONS. tIY UTILITY. . Several correspondents write in regard to ailments troubling tlicir flocks, and,., ask for suggestions for curing the same. Speaking generally, there is no branch of livestock in which it can more truly bo said than of poultry, that prevention is better than cure. It is also unfortunate that, in many cases, a cure is so difficult, as well as unprofitable, to achieve, that the best' course is to kill tho bird at once, and either burn it or bury it rather than run the risk of contaminating the rest of the flock. A fowl is of so little commercial value that it does not pay to spend much time and money 111 curing it, especially when in the meantime its ailment may spread. Particularly does this apply to such diseases as chicken pox and diphtheria roup, which often go together, and the dread disease of tuberculosis. If poultry are properly kept, they should not become ill any more than sparrows and blackbirds do. In nearly every ailment the cause is lack of proper attention. This may bo through either ignorance or thoughtless neglect, even though the owner has the best of intentions toward his flock. If llio birds have proper food, clean water, ample shade and good housing, they should always be well, and it is far easier and more profitable to provide them with them than it is to doctor them up when'they become ill. Under these circumstances it is rather surprising to hear from a correspondent at Warkworth that although his White Leghorns have free range and plenty oi' everything 111 the way of water and food, three have died at intervals. They did not ail long, and the only, visible symptoms being that their combs went a dark, dull red and that they were unduly thirsty. Symptoms of Cholera. The thirst is a sure sign of cholera, for in this disease there is always-a sudden and violent thirst, accompanied with diarrhoea. Death usually results in from 12 to 36 hours, but if diagnosed at an early stage there are certain preparations, obtainable which often effect a cure. The unusual feature is to find the disease in birds with free range, for it very rarely conies when there is coo] shade, fresh, cool water and plenty of green food, ll is usually found where the drinking water has become warm through exposure to the sun, and where the green stuff has been insufficient Or not really fresh. A regular supply of fresh meat is also a preventive of all diseases associated with diarrhoea. Very few people seem to appreciate fully the value of green food, although it is the cheapest of all foods. Fowls arc able to consume immense quantities, and yet it is quite a common thing to fill, them up with wheat and pollard, while neglecting the green food which is avail able in abundance at this time of the year, and which the birds so eagerly relish. Unless complete arrangement > have already been made for a supply during the summer and autumn, when the present abundance will have largely with ered away, this should be taken in ham' at once, in order to have a crop well estab lished before the. soil, becomes too dry Planting Green Crops. No time should be lost in planting out a few silver beet, and the time is als>'< suitable for sowing a small patch of rape It is a little late to plant seeds of suga beet, for feeding in the autumn am' winter, but if these arc not in already they should certainly be planted now, o; the offchance of there being sufficient rain to bring them along. The present is the time to keep a watch ful eye on fowl-houses, in order to 'guani againsi the insect pests that will sooi appear. Red. mite are the worst, an. they are almost due. . It is difficult V know what becomes of them during th winter, but their eggs are safely stowc away in all the availablo crevices, and r requires only a week of warm wsatln to bring them out. There are plenty t> insecticides which can be dusted am sprayed on the perches atid walls, but ii a small house kerosene will servo the pui pose, if it is sprinkled on the ends < each perch. The red mite attack th birds at night, and go back to the perch < iu the morning, so they are not difficu' to kill, as they are generally found crowding into any holes in the tiniber. Low Prices for Eggs. It is necessary to go back a good man, years to find a return to equal the pi sent low prices for eggs. The marln has been steadily falling for weeks pa~ until they are now realising quite sixpence a dozen less than at this time la year. This is disastrous to producer as a few pence a dozen makes all tl; difference at this time of the year, win so may are coming in. It was only tbe expected that a good many farmer would get rid of their surplus birds once, instead of waiting till nearly Chris mas, and the large supplies at auction have dragged down the price there. The strange thing is that the low prny of eggs locAlly has not encouraged a large export, foi the guaranteed price in Loi don would give a better net return that by selling locally. The response to »> appeal lor a large quantity for export hj." been most, disappointing, and shippers have been unable to fully utilise the cool spa »• that was reserved fcfr shipments in October and November. Apparently it w. < a case of too many people expecting som body else to do the exporting, while thi v sold locally, and consequently the mark. V gave way under puessure of large sci plies. Unfortunately all grains tend :<> rise, rather than fall, and this makes t' all the more necessary for farmers ' economise by growing all the green fo«. they possibly can.