POULTRY YARD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 19

POULTRY YARD

SOME UTILITY HINTS BEWARE OF WORMS (BY GEO. H. AMBLER.) Intestinal parasitism of fowls is brought to attention at this season of the year because the most striking phase of the disease is often seen at this time. This disease is vastly more prevalent than tuberculosis, with which in its chronic form it may be confused clinically, and from an economic standpoint it probably ranks second .only to roup, In order to understand the disease properly the following brief discretion of the chronic form is given since it may precede or follow the acute form. The sick birds become thin, although the appetite is not especially disturbed. At times the appetite is even increased and is accompanied by an' intense , thirst for cold water. The droppings are thin, contain considerable yellow slime, and are passed in small quantities, but at short intervals. After a time other symptoms ‘develop. The sick birds become dull and listless, remain apart from the rest of the flock—the feathers are ‘ ruffled and the wings droop, the appetite is lost and the birds allow themselves to be easily caught. Impaired organic functions lead to ex* treme emaciation and a fatal termination usually follows, when the subject is hut a merb shadow pf its former self. It is not the chronic form, however, that we are primarily interested in at the moment, but with a form so acute as to be very misleading. Suddenness of onset and great prostration usually lead to the assumption that the birds have v consumed poisonous material. ’This belief is further favoured, in many instances, by the fact that no previous indication of tne disease has. existed. ' In so far as we have been able td learn, these attacks are always associated with sudden changes in weather conditions. The uffnal history is to the effect that birds are found in a prostrated condition, comb and wattles suddenly become dark in colour,' followed by death in one to three days, and this occurs just after a sudden drop in temperature usually preceded by rain. By this it would seeib that the birds are able to bold their own against the parasites under ' favourable conditions, but are unable to carry on the fight successfully when reduced by adverse influences. ' Accurate diagnosis is the first, essential and, the fact' should be kept in mind that'one of the most devitalising tape'worms is so small as to require a microscopical examination to determine its presence. Treatment should be directed towards fostering the already waning strength of the patients rather than attempting to, destroy ; the parasites. The latter course will usually result in the death of many birds., that otherwise might be saved. "> 1 i A small dose of physic is indicated, merely to remove’ from the intestines the slime with its accumulated toxic products. Grain feed should he withheld, the ration consisting entirely of. easily digested wet mash. Good hygiene should he practised and, where outside roosting places have been used, these should be substituted by regular, houses. ~ When, by careful handling, the birds regain tbeir normal condition, further doses of physic (Epsom salts) may be administered; _ one-fourth pound to one hundred birds once a. week or every ten days is recommended.

FOWLS IN COLD WEATHER The cold snap that followed so closely upon the warm weather seemed to remind poultrykeepers that eggproduction cannot. ,he successfully maintained during The 'winter* months under what some people are pleased to call natural conditions; that is, without scratching-shed accommodation. It is open to question whether it can he considered natural to let birds stand about in a small exposed run, but it is certain that when pullets or liens are condemned to spend the winter in such circumstances they will not lay many eggs, and if the winter is a hard one, probably - they will not’ lay any at all.

As soon ns cold weather comes along many people imagine that it is necessary to close up the roosting houses at night so that no cold air can enter. That is one of the commonest misconceptions among beginners, and it can be abandoned, for even on the best conducted farms, where egg-pro-duction is a systematised business, it is seldom found necessary to close up the front of houses entirely, and even then there is an aperture under 'the weather-board. Good feeding and exercise should promote the rigliE conditions to enable the birds to resist cold. , Most of last season’s hens are now moulting or taking a rest after the moult, and we receive many inquiries as to how long this process lasts. Briefly, it is impossible to lay down (any hard and fast rules regarding the duration of the moult, since it depends upon various circumstances, notably upon individual character anff condition. Environment and feeding combined have a powerful influence, and without forcing methods it will tie found that an active life, induced by plenty of scratching exercise and generous feeding, will bring the hens Through the moult satisfactorily so long ns they do not have more food than they will eat readily. HINTS ON EXHIBITING The preparation of show birds is, perhaps, the most difficult part of a breeder’s efforts, for tho selection of entries must be made several weeks before date of showing. As tho birds are examined keep in mind the principles required by the standard, and throw out every bird that would be disqualified by thaf -standard in any section; a glaring defect in any one section should give place to minor defects in several sections. Let choice he strong on head, shape and plumage; and “work” on comb, legs, beak, and wattles if they fail in colour. Remember,- many points, weak at time of selection, can be developed and remedied before show day. If you have the birds, choose two or more for each entry, for one is not sure of results of the conditioning, or how somo minor defect may go. Conditioning, in the limited sense, is t,o bring tho bird in hand to the highest possible state of development, and to teach the bird “manners” to show all its points to the liest advantage and so please tho judge. Sexes must ,bo kept apart, for the fomalo is lmt*s to condition with tho feathers on the K':ck and cushion constantly trampled upon by the male. A female is always in the “pink” just before laying so, jf , necessary,

change her often fo prevent Her beginning to lay early. Remember that laying weakens her in leg and beak colour, and “deadens” the “bloom” in general. THE NECESSITY FOR PROTEIN No bird, however well bred fon laying can produce eggs out of the atmosphere. Eggs are not evolved from the germ of nothingness, but every particle of them, the albumen, oil, lime-salt, gluten and water, are the product or the food the hen consumes. The hen may be likened unto a machine that must he fed at one end if the finished article is to be got from the other. If the machine is fed with animal matter, naturally the product of the machine will be protein, and since protein forms a largo part of tho composition of an egg, the hen that produces it has to consume a certain amount of aniirtal matter. Protein, in addition fo supplying matter for egg-production, also supplies the element for the structural development of lime, musele, and feather. Lean meat is rich fn protein, so arc the innumerable creeping things which tlie fowl at liberty devours.