POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1852, 20 May 1887, Page 8

POULTRY NOTES.

Japanese fowls, a very beautiful variety has the appearance of being a species between the pheasant and game fowl, the peculiarity of their drooping plumage having* a closer resemblance to the former than the latter birds. Japanese fowls, we believe, are unknown in this country, except to those who have travelled in the East, and to a few fanciers who may have seen them occasionally exhibited at some of the poultry exhibitions on the Continent. The male bird is described as being exceedingly pugnacious, the hen as a prolific layer and raiser of chickens. In Japan this breed is held in very high estimation, on account of its singular beauty and delicacy of eggs and flesh. They are somewhat smaller than our ordinary breeds of game fowls, but, like them,' are very plump, and of fair size when trussed. The acquisition of this breed would, no doubt, be welcomed by many of our fanciers.

The Agricultural Gazette says that the time is coming when no good system of rotation of ciops will be complete without poultry. It is proposed to move the fowls about from year to year to different fields. By means of light wire netting runs and houses on wheels this can be easily done. The design is to plough and cultivate the field in which hens have spent a year. In this way the hens will manure the fields, the dangers from contagious poultry diseases will be lessened, and the waste product will be fed to advantage. People who are not afraid of new ideas should take note of this suggestion.

itoup is a contagious disease, and is always accompanied with a characteristic foul odor. While all colds come under the head of roup, yet in some forms it is not contagious. A great many yards contain roupy fowls without the owners being aware of the fact. Some cases of roup are very mild, being only what may be termed cold in the head, the fowls sneezing to clear the nostrils. Sore throat is another iorm, and so is swelled head and eyes. Even when the birds have good appetites and appear healthy otherwise, they may be suffering from roup. Go into the hen-house at night, after the birds are on the roost, and carefully listen to their breathing. Should a hoarse breathing similar to croup, be heard, remove the bird at once to a dry, warm place, and apply twice a day 10 drops of kerosene down its throat, and two drops in each nostril — American Agriculturist.

There is no use of a chick or lien having the gapes for twenty-four hours (say a correspondent of the Poultry Keeper). A few drops of camphor and water down the throat is a sure cure. I never knew a second dose to fail.

The Tuapeka Poultry Show is in future to be separated from the Horticultural Show in September or October. The district possesses some excellent birds, and . should be able to provide a very attractive show.