POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 5

POULTRY NOTES.

TURKEYS DYING FROM GAPES. Out of 30 strong, healthy birds, I have now only five alive, ull have failed from gapes They have been fed on linseed, gruiu, and boiled potatoes ; have had a run on dry meadow grass and good water. I forward one of the birds, and would bo glad of your opinion. What is wrong with them, and how can the disease be prevented ? I have tried cod liver oil and turpentine, mixed and singly, but without effect. — Henwife.

[Ihe bird forwarded has suffered from congestion of the lungs and catarrh of the respiratory mucous membrane, produced bs' the irritating presence in the air passages of numbers of thread-like worms, known as Syngamm trachealts. This troublesome parasi'to attacks all descriptions of domestic poultry, game, and many wild birds. It is most serious and prevalent where the poultry are crowded or long confined to the same spot, where cleanliness is not insisted on and fresh water is not freely available. A few birds are affected, perhaps not Beriously, on most premises every season, and thus the parasite tribe is perpetuated. But in damp weather, or where from any cause the chickens do- not thrive satisfactorily, the rapidly multiplying worms increase enormously, tho birds have no stamina to get rid of their tormentors, and the disorder spreads. The paroxysms of cough drive the egiis from the air passages into tho pharynx. Hence they are swallowed, discharged ou the run or in tho water troughs. During mi?d spring weather the minute, active, eel-like embryos are hatched in about eight days, and, along with the food or water, are introduced into the bodies of healthy subjects, shortly working their way to the windpipe aud bronchial tubes. When the eggs and embryos have been abundantly distributed, and many birds are affected, the mischief is difficult to get rid of. The sound animals, if possible, should be transferred to fresh quarters, and separated from the gapers. The poultry house, cubs, hatching pens, and run must bo thoroughly swept, cleansed, and disinfected with quicklime and carbolic acid. Dead birds and excreta should be deeply buried or burned. Relief is usually given, and a perfect cure sometimes effected, by placing in the throat of the patient a few drops of a mixture of one part of oil of turpentine and four parts of olive or other bland oil, dropped from a small feather stripped nearly to the point. With a dextrous twist of such a feather, any wriggling worms within view may also be caught up and removed. Some poultry managers, instead of the turpentine and oil, uso spirit of chloroform. Vet. Ed.]— North British Agriculturist.

A Phenomenon.— A turkey with four legs has been hatched at the farm of Annanbank, Johnstone.

High Prices for Poultry. — Some extraordinary prices have been realised at tho Crystal Palace Show recently. Amongst the most liberal purchasers is Mr J. H'Culloch, of Australia, who has brcome the owner of Messrs Smyth's coloured Dorkiug cockerel, which won the Lord Mayor's cup at the Dairy Show, and the challenge cup at the present exhibition. The price of this bird was L 75, while tho club pullofc to match him changed hands at L 35. The winning Game pullet, that was entered in the selling class to be sold at L 2, ran up to 20gs under the hammer, and a large number of other birds changed hands at very good prices.

Why Eggs Spoil. — A gentleman who claims to have mad« a special study of the cause of eggs " spoiling " says that it is the result of an ineffectual attempt to.haloh. He tells us that whenever a fertilised egg is raised to a temperature of 92degrees the hatching process begins, and when the temperature falls much below this point the process ceases. These conditions are found in the warm days and cool nights of summer. Daring the long, hot day the hatching process is at work ; during the short, cool night it ceases. After three or four alterations of this kind the embryo chick dies and rotting process begins. Now it is evident that if the eggs were not fertilised the hatching would not begin, neither would the rotting, and henoe there would be an absence of rotten eggs. The remedy, therefore, is to prevent fertilisation of the egg. Unfertilised eggs are much sweeter and better for table use and will keep from two to four times as long as fertilised eggs.

Quality of Eogs.— There is difference in eggs apart from their size to make some more valuable than others. Much depends upon tho food the hen gets from which the egg is to be made. Many people think it makes no difference what hens eat — that if they like it and it contains the elements of tho egg it will bo all right. Yet their own experiepco tells them that f.ggs produced from grain-fed hens iv winter and early spring are of better quality than they are later, oven when in both cases the eggs are entirely fresh. After fowls begin to find worms, insects, and other trash in the spring their eggs rapidly deteriorate. Whatever meat they have should be fresh. The hen is not particular at all about this, nor about the cleanliness of the water she drinks. But her owner, knowing that this tainted food goes into the egg, may be expected to show more squeamishness than tbo hen, unless-, indeed, he is willing to admit that he knows no more than she.— 'American Cultivator.

Bvorybody knows "ft crooked stick .will throw a crooked shadow." Avoid imitations of and substitutes for

SAPOLIO. It is a lolid cake of Scouring Soap. Try it. 2