Poultry.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1057, 2 June 1892, Page 27

Poultry.

The following are chips from an American exchange : Many farmers neglect their opportunities. They ought to know that hens will pay as well as their cows, sheep or hogs. Hggs are always saleable at a profit m summer, the farmer can. either sell or store them for higher prices. In . eggs alone he can be assured a very fair income. . Poultry, small fruits and bees work harmoniously together. On a plot of fifty acres a perfect paradise could exist under proper management. A better living, more happiness, peace and contentment can be derived from such a life than is enjoyed by some of the richest merchants. Sulphur is often given to fowls in excess as a preventive of sicicness. A very moderate quantity may be given to them during tho moulting season wtth excellent results, if the weather is dry. If wet, sulphur fed to chickens makes them lame and rheumatic. Actual cases have been directly traced to it. Green cornstalks, lettuce and other garden greens, should be cut up fine and given to fowls confined in yards. When deprived of it hens lack the rod colour in their combs and the blood will become impure. Tho result is a number of dead fowls some morning. Green food is essential to their.health. A VALUABLE CONSIGNMENT. Fanciers’ Gazette. Mr It. J. Sergeant, of Thornton Abbey, Ulceby Junction, Lincolnshire, sent out to Messrs lleid Bros., of Motntapu Island, Auckland, New Zealand, per ss. Ruapehu, through their agent, Mr Frank Holmes, a valuable consignment of Aylesbury and Rouen - ducks and Brahmas, which consisted of two Aylesbury drakes and two ducks, two Rouen drakes and two ducks, and one dark Brahma cock and two hens. Amongst the ducks were winners atPalace, Dairy,Liverpool, Royal Doncaster, Derby, Berwick, Worthing, Trowbridge, Dore, Totley, etc. ; the Brahmas sere winners at. Liverpool, Trowbridge, Altrincham, Hednesford, Dairy, etc. The above were shipped under the care of Mr Fred Brown, Messrs Spratt’s shipping agent, in their specially designed coops. Mr S«rge*ut has just received intelligence that the birds all arrived safely in fine condition, and gave entire satisfaction. MOSS LITTER V. ROUP. Has it ever dawned upon the many amateurs and others who keep fowls, ducks, &c., in close, badly-ventilated, damp, or draughty buildings, that their birds pass nearly one half of their lives either on the floors of or perches in their roosting houses'? Surely not, or we should not have so much sickness, 'mortality or bad returns of laying. If only a second thought were given to the fowlliouae, in which the fowls are destined t > pass so long a time ! Many readers have no doubt seen fowls that have had no shelter during a pelting rain go to their roosts dripping wet, resting with wet feet, and perhaps with no satisfactory ventilation in the house. Unfortunately [ had only a north-east wall against which to erect my house, and although I have Btudied to make this house free from draught., and I think succeeded, notwithstanding the aspect, I was never able until this year, or rather the past winter, to keep my slock free from roup, not having had a single case throughout the long winter, and I attribute it to one fact alone, as the remarkable change has only been brought about since I have used moss litter in the building. KEEP FOWLS TAME. There is nothing worse for domestic animals than to half frighten them to death. Fright uses up the vital forces more than work, more than the growth ot flesh or fat, more than anything else, unless it is persistent starvation. Whoever feeds the fowls, gets the eggs, tends the hens, and rears the chickens, should keep them as quiet as possible. There is nothing that will check their growth, and especially their laying, more than keeping them in a state of worry half their time. Leghorns, for instance, especially are inclined by nature to be wild. Open the fowlhouse door suddenly, and they will flutter all over the place, fly against the window, break the glass—if it is not protected by wire netting, as it should be—and by the time the birds are restored to order, the attendant himself is in a temper. A a it is with larger animals, so

it is true of fowls ; if you at all times exercise kindness towards them, they will doubly repay for all care and kind attention. —Fanciers' Gazette.