POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 32

POULTRY NOTES.

By Tehhob.

—These who have no I already irated up their breeding" pens for the season should los-3 no further time in doing so, otherwise the chickens when hatched will be too late to enjoy the full advantage of the insect and vegetable life which is so necessary to their fullest, development. I would here remind my leaders that when, some two years ago, J visited the SeaclifF A^'lum and interviewed Or King, that gentleman expressed the opinion that it was a mistake to pen up the breeders: lather, they should be given fuller liberty than at any other time. From observation, I am convinced that the doctor's theory is correct, and that the result is a greater percentage of fertile eg-gs. — Another very important thing to look to just now is in regaid to the celection of eggj ior sitting?. Never sec abnormally large — or, for that matter, beautifully large — eggs, or eggs peculiar in any respect. Pick only the eggs of the ordinary size and shape laid by the- particular breed wanted. — Those who have already hatched out are recommended to give a feed of millet seed once daily. It is a very convenient form of food, and after a day or go chickens eat it greedily; and I have found, both this season and last, that they thrive on it very well. When the chicks can eat the larger grain the millet seed can be discontinued. Nimmo and Blair sell millet at 6d a pound. — A local fancier asked me the other day to examine a chicken which had died without apparent cause. "H.TVB yovi examined the chick for vermin?" I inquired. ''No," was the reply, ''they cannot have vermin, for they are brooder reared." The dead chick was then produced and shown to be perfectly clean. 1 had heard this argument before, so, after explaining that vermin always left a body as it turned cold, I insisted on the living chickens being caught and examined, and they were found to bs literally covered with lice. A free xtse of Keating's insect powder soon put matters to right. Readers will gather from this that vermin will trouble chickens under almost any conditions unless special precautions are taken to keep them down.

—Mr Enoch Hutton exhibited recently in an English storekeeper's window (says the Stockkeeper) a black rosecomb bantam hen, weighing only 9oz, with 13 of her eggs, laid in 21 days. The total weight of the eggs was lOoz, loz in excess of the weight of the hen. The hen was bred by Mi Hutton, and has an unbroken pedigree for 45 years. — When table chickens are required there is nothing better than a first cross between an Old English game or an Indian game cock and a Dorking hen ; or with the usual mongrel hens, coloured Dorking or silver grey Dorking cocks will be sure to produce some large, meaty chickens. It is a good plan to have Dorking cocks one J'ear, Indian or Old Englidi game the next, followed by Houdans. The chickens will be immensely impioved for the table if this is done.

— The comb of a fowl is generally an indication of the health of the bird. Directly a bird sickens the comb will lose colour, and become soft and flabby, and as the malady increases the blood will gradually disappear from tho comb, leaving it a pale ashy colour, and cold to the touch. On the contrary, if a bird is in perfect health, the comb wiil be bright red in. colour and firm in texture. By this simple means you can readily note any birds that are ailing, and they should be at once removed to a separate coop, where they can be properly attended to. — Recently Mr Collins, school teacher (says the Sydney Mail), met his death in a peculiar way. While handling a' cock which had long spurs the sharp_ point -of one of them pricked his thumb. Lockjaw ensued, and he died the day after the injury. This should be a warning to poultry fanciers who are in the habit of catching fowls by the leg, and also points to the necessity of sawing off the -sharp points of the spurs. This is easily done with a small fretwork saw, or any other saw with fine teeth. Not much "blood flows .from the cut, and it is easily staunched by applying a hot iron, or by rubbing in powdered chalk. Another reason why sharp spurs should be sawn off is that they sometimes severely cut the backs of the hens.