POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 33

POULTRY NOTES.

By Tebeob,

Hour, Hyde.—Yes, the symptoms clearly point to roup. Read the article which appears on the subject this week, and treat as advised, Mr J. B. White, of St. Kilda, is still taking honours with his now celebrated strain of silver Wyandottcs. At the recent Tapnnui Show ho got a championship with a pullet,' which was much admired for its beautiful open lacing. Mr W hite has, of course, to keep his birds prominently before the public to produce birds to satisfy the fancies of all judges, and his Tapanui experience may be quoted as a case in point, lor in his own private opinion a little heavier lacing should be aimed at. With open lacing, now so much desired, the extreme is reached. The outer black edge is scarcely as dark as it should be now oven in the best specimens, and if the present fad is adhered to, ragged edges to feathers and outer white lacing, so difficult to eradicate, once established, will soon become os noticeable ns they were a few years back. The judges can as easily destroy the silver Wyandotte by favouring extremes as they found it to destroy the Minorca and black Spanish, and the question is, “ Will they over learn?” Experience shoo'd teach, but apparently does not do so in show matters. The Gore Poultry Show proved a record one so far as entries were concerned—36l, as against 260 last year. In the poultry classes alone the entries were 308 this year anti 220 last year. In utility white Leghorns there wore 41 exhibits, the pullets numbering 20. The majority of the entries throughout the show were in excellent show condition. Mr G. T. Grant judged the feathered sections. The Auckland Show, opened on Thursday, 17th inst.,, is reported to have been a most successful one in every respect. The entries were more numerous than last year. Orpingtons were the best-represented classes, and Leghorns and Wyandottcs both proved strong in all classes. Messrs M* Dunn and Sons.*’of Waihou, were again very successful this year, and won four of the special trophies open to members only. Great interest was taken in the North Island championships. awarded for Plymouth Rocks, and Mr G. Jackson, of Ashhurst, was successful in both the barred and white classes. ln buying buff Orpingtons for breeding show specimens the chief faults to guard against are white in flights or tail, much rod in shanks, white in face, and light or pearl-eyed ; got birds with red eyes if possible. 'Whatever shade of buff you prefer be sure to see that the birds uro a level huff colour right through to skin. Never buy or breed from birds with white under colour. Got as much typo as possible in both male and female birds. bird on the table the capon should bo a good proposition. A sot of instruments may bo purchased for about £l, and if the accompanying directions are followed, the necessary, skill in the matter of successful emasculation may be attained by any careful person. The effect of the removal of the sexual organs is soon apparent. I ho bird loses its distinctive male character, becomes quiet and effeminate in disposition, and puts on weight, while the quality of the flesh is said to be greatly improved. This capon proposition should bo seriously considered by the man who likes to see a good bird on his table. With the expenditure of a few shillings on the necessary instruments, and the exercise of skill in then- use, it is possible to piodnce biids of much-increased weight and of a superior flesh qua’itv, while the cost of producing them will be fairly met in the saving on the butcher’s bill that will result, to say nothing of the variety In diet that the capon will supp'v What is exactly the correct temperature for incubating eggs is a question for debate; opinions are divided on the subject. A series of experiments with hens’ nost.s has shown that, although the shape of the nest often made a difference, the average temperatures were from 102 deg for the fust week to 1044 deg the third. In an ordinary tank machine, with the cold under draughts, this would correspond to about 103 deg for the first week to about 105 deg for the Inst on the ton of the egg. The increase is quite naturally duo to the “quickening” of the chick. In hot-air machines, where the egg is the same temperature all through, the hens’ figures must be correct. Operators should always remember that during the first ten days overheating is particularly fatal, and as incubation proceeds practically as fast at lOOdeg. it, is just, as well to be on the safe side. During the last week the chicks can stand much more, and after _ being at 112 deg for some hours have still hatched well. " Overheating us mere dangerous in a moist egg chamber, the evaporation—which is a means possessed by the egg, in common with all other moist bodies, of, to a certain extent, regulating itself—being restricted. As a useful guide it should bo

noted whether the hatch has a tendency to come off on the 20th or 22nd day, as the period of incubation is shortened or lengthened by increasing or decreasing the temperature. The best and strongest chicks are those hatched out on tiie 21st day. The following paragraph is from the Juno issue of the R.P.J. of America “It can be seen that it is possible to produce a. 200-egg hen,” says the Southern Poultry Journal. “Possible to produce a 200-egg hen! Goodness gracious, where has Mr Thompson been during the last two years? "Why, the 200-egg hen lias been a back number for a long time. Ho ought to know that no up-to-date poultryman would claim ownership of such a waster; that by any one of a number of “systems” any novice can get at least 240 eggs per hen per year. —[And the experts can get how many?— Terror.] A prominent local fowl fancier (says the Mataura Ensign) some time ago disposed of for 7s 6d a young cockerel which did not quite satisfy his fancy, and the purchaser, in turn regretting his bargain, put the bird into the Gore Auction Mart, where it was disposed of for exactly half what ho had paid for it. The new-lound owner, recognising hidden qualifies in his purchase which liad escaped the notice of the previous owners, decided to enter it in tho Gore Poultry Chib s show, with the result that the original owner had the mortification of seeing what he considered Its champion bird beaten for first honours by Ins reject. COLDS AND ROUP IN FOWLS. The purchase of a few fowls by the amateur, with a view to supplying the house with fresh eggs, often loads to dithculties quite unexpected, for frequently within a few days of their receipt they begin to mope about and their eyes are closed most of the time, their appetite goes, and tho distracted purchaser feels that ho has but little hope of realising his ft 111 *-I’’ 1 ’’ tion to bring eggs into the house, and the prospect of losing the money invested in the fowls altogether looks very near realisation. Tho cause of this condition of things is usually found in tho fact that tho birds have cither contracted a cold on the journey to their now home, or else they have boon too warmly housed and tho ventilation they have boon accustomed to iu their previous habitation is missing throug.i want of knowledge as to tho requirements of the fowls. Experienced poultry-keepers understand the first symptoms, and treat their birds at once, but not so tho amateur, whoso ignorance on tho subject leads to a serious loss, as well as the uncomfortable feeling known by many who have failed in any cherished pursuit—that the object of their purchase cannot bo realised. To obviate this, intending poultry-keepers and amateurs should gain knowledge as to symptoms and treatment theoretically first, and then, if there is no need to put it into practice, so much the better. The most simple form of colds is that known amongst experienced poultry-keepers as “wot roup,” and is generally brought on by cold or a sudden change of-tho blood, due to very hot days and cold nights, or to being subjected to a draught when tho fowls have not been used to it, or to the ventilator being left open so that there is a draught through the house, or to allowing tho birds to sloop out of doors one night, and in a warm house tho next. When fowls are accustomed to sleep in trees and are put straight into a comfortable house, or put in a covered basket and sent on a railway journey, especially when sent to a show, after sleeping in a cool house, they are almost sure to develop this form of roup. When a fowl first catches cold, and the system is in good order, tho first symptom of this form of the disease which appears is a slight running at the nostrils. At first the discharge is clear water, but if neglected it usually develops into a more virulent form, and when not taken in time and treated properly, the fowl soon begins to sneeze and cough. The running from the nostrils may last for a long time. We have known it to continue for three months, and not cause the birds to bo really ill when they have been subjected to a chill when in good health. When tho first symptoms appear the bird should bo examined to sco if tho mouth and throat are free from white spots or ulcers, and from rattling noise in the throat. Tho nostrils should bo washed with paraffin, and it is well also to dip a feather in this, and put down the throat and nostrils. One heaped-up teaspoonful of roup powder should ho given to every eight full-grown fowls, and- to tho young birds in proportion in the morning meal. Should the birds object to eat it, then mix it with about two handfuls of meal and throw down a small piece at the time. By this mode of feeding they will usually run after one piece and swallow it before they taste it. When they refuse to eat when given in this way, it must bo given in pellets. - When there is only a running at the nostrils, and no offensive smell, they may be allowed to run with the other fowls without danger of infecting them. When this cold is neglected there is in a few days a very offensive smell from the fowl’s breath, and n discharge from the nostrils dried on all round the outside, often preventing them from breathing; also thick saliva in the mouth, which, if not stopped, soon turns to a thick mucus and corrodes very fast, spreads down the throat, and causes the fowls to breathe very hard: and they develop the second form, which is diphtheritic renn. the distinguishing feature of which is the formation of a thick cheesy matter which forms on the tongue, mouth, and down the throat where the food passes. It crows very fast, so much so that in bad cases the tongue is forced out of the mouth, and they appear to he swallowing all the time. In a few cases the mouth is clear to -.fi appearance, and the fowls look fruit'* healthy and eat well up to the hour of their (hath: and the oidv symptoms observable are the opening of their mouths to breathe and the effort to eject something from their throats, but in vain, because the matter has collected down the windpipes and in tho tub's. Tn some cases a swelling comes at the side of the face, and in from six to 12 hours fj-,er e is comn’ -te]y closed. Such coses should be isolated at once, being placed in a largo coop or outbuild*ng. where it is fairly warm, and the face bathed with a solution - ' permanganate of potash and water, then wined quite drv. Treatment. —Tho fowl should he caught, and then a helper obtained to link! its mouth open. The trachea should he worked up and down outside with the thumb- a.nd finger. Held the fowl’s mouth w‘de open, otherwise the opening of the trachea ea.nnot be seen. When the heed is he'd on its still for a few seconds it will bo seen when tho

bird breathes. Then dip a feather in paraffin or alum and water, but do no* in tins case strip the feather, as then it can be well saturated. A wing feather will be found the best, as it is pointed. As the opening ox the windpipe is small groat care must be taken to put the feather down it, and not th-e throat or swallow. It should be put down about ,sin or din, and after having been twisted round two or throe times it should bo gently withdrawn, and in most cases there will bo little piece? of fungus adhering to the feather, a kind of whitish-yellow matter, which crumbles like choose. Always saturate the spots of mucus (which can be scon at the top of tho tracheal with the solution; using a feather; then the matter can bo removed with ft quill. In most cases it peels off easily at ths time; if not, it will do so tho followingmorning. «. Sometimes the place bleeds when tho matter is removed, but it soon heals over. Should it gro vv again, tho same treatment must bo adopted as before, and it will bo getting better gradually. Care should be taken to burn all the feathers used in. this operation, and a feather should only bo inserted once, and then burnt. This may prevent the disease spreading. After the solution has been used, a. few drops of glycerine should be poured down the bird’s throat. Sometimes this soorfulous matter forms on the side of the mouth, and' iu some cases it forces the mouth out so much that, from the outside, it looks like a swelling. When it assumes this form, ihe solution should be used in the same way, but more will be required. Occasionally it :s necessary for a few drops to be put in rlie hole made by the removal of the fungus. In sucli eases, the glycerine, as previously mentioned, is very useful. When the disease appears in the form we have mentioned ihe birds do not have the running at tho nostrils. It frequently stops their laying, but only in very bad cases does it appear to injure their health; still, if neglected, tho fowls will assuredly die. The birds which are suffering from this form should have a dose of aperient medicine every other day ; rather less than a teaspooiiiul of warmed castor oil should be given to each bird, followed by a good teaspoonful of salad oil. They should have roup powder regularly twice a day—namely, morning and night, in some meal. In baa cases we prefer to make pellets up. For one hen mix half a teaspoonful of roup powder (if very bad, three-quarters mav b* given), one heaped-up teaspoonful of dour, one and a-half fine otmeaJ. and e little pieoi of fat (about a quarter of a toaspoonful rf dripping, lard, or butter will do), and a little hot water, just sufficie«nt to make it into a paste. For cock. three-quarters of n teaspoonful of powder may be given. If tho fowls are very had, this quantity should bo given twice a day, especially the first day. If the fowls cannot cat. any food—that is, if they do not pick up for themselves—then an extra quantity of meal and-flour may be used to keep the fowls’ strength up. Wo usually make the pellets the size of the little finger up to the second joint. When the fowls do not appear to swallow them easily, they should, be worked down ib» neck with tho thumb and finger. THE CENTRAL PRODUCE MART (LIMITED). Messrs Reilly, Gill, and Co., proprietors, report that poultry are in short supply. and all lots are cleared under keen competition. Eggs have exporiepcod a wonderful demand, as high as la 6tl being secured during the week, and at the time of writing supplies are distinctly short of requirements. The following prices were secured by us for our consignors:—Hens—ls XOd, 2s. us 2d, 2e 'ld, 2s 6d, 2s Bd. 2s 9d each; pullcto—3a, 5s 6d, 3s 9d, 4s 3rl each ; cockerels —Is 6d, Is 9d. Is lid, 2rt. 2s Id, 2s 2d. 2s 3d. 2s sd, 2s 6d each; stud cockerels--7s 6d, 20s. 42s each; ducks— 2s 9xl. 2s lid, s a . 3a 3d. 3s 9-d. 4» each; turkey gobblers—Bd. turkey hens—-bid. 6jd, 7d per lb. Ecgs, la 4d to Is 6d per dozen. MARLBOROUGH POULTRY SHOW. BLENHEIM, July 25. At the Marlborough Poultry Show tin* New Zealand championships were secured by 11. Wanden for silver wyandottos and for white wyandottos; 11. J. Bright in tho old English black-and-red game class;' and A. Sowman for working homer pigeons. Nino championships wore available, but though tho competition generally was extensive onlv four were awarded, the remainder bofng blocked by the rule requiring three distinct exhibitors in each group SOUTH ISLAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION. The Executive Council o f ihe South Island Poultry. Pigeon, and Canary Association met on Saturday. July 19. Ma - Ross (president) occupied the chair. The secretary reported that he had boon unable to get a reply from the I'aarlie Society as to whether or not it proposed to hold a show this year. and. as du.cted, ho had allotted the clear-legged Tumbler and A.O.V. Leghorn championships to ba competed for at Gore, as that was the (inly affiliated society which had not issued its prize schedule.—The secretary’s action wa» approved. Tiic secretary of the Invercargill Club reported the winners of the association championship competed for at its fixture, and certified to the conditions being fulfilled. The secretary stated that Mr 11. G. Hunt, of Christchurch, hail won the championship outright for Norwich, plain head, yellow, and it was decided to pay out the amount (£5). , , „ , The secretary of the Ashburton Poultry Society reported that Mr (4. H. Blair, of Tiinaru, had been awarded the jif-oeation’s championship for white Wyandottes competed for at its fixture.--The secretary was instructed to credit Mr Blair with a win and issue a certificate. It was also agreed that a certificate should be forwarder! to Mr Clout, Aparima, for his win in ducks at Invercargill. The president pointed out that some chibs and societies had held their annual show? more than a fortnight ago, and had not forwarded written announcements of the winners of championships to tho secretary, ;is provided in rule 15. He trusted secretaries of clubs and societies would comply promptly with the association s rule, and assist the council to carry out its portion of rule 15—namely, that In the case of any championship won the treasurer shall pay such championship money within 14 xlavs of the receipt of such certified catalogue and notification. The secretary reported that the Pigeon rings (N.Z D.. 1913-141 wore to hand, and submitted them for approval—The council considered the rings eattfictovv, and decided that the secretary should distribute them at

2s 9d per dozen, and keep a record of the cost of administration. The secretary of the Gore Poultry Ohio submitted its prize schedule, which was passed with slight amendments A telegram from the Marlborough Association was read, asking if it could reafiiliate and obtain recognition by paying the subscription to the South Island Association for the current year.—The secretary was instructed to inform the association that it could obtain recognition as an affiliated club by (a) rescinding its motion to secede, (b) sending to the South Island Association e, copy of the rescinding motion signed by the chairman and secretary, (o) publishing a copy in a. local paper, and (d) sending the subscription for the current year. The secretary was instructed to inform the Marlborough Association that as soon as the above conditions were complied with the council would inform all affiliated clubs that the association was an affiliated association. The advisability was discussed of the South Island Association endeavouring to arrange with the North Island Association to act together in the matter of disqualification?, and also to co-operate with regard to show dates in the north of the South Island and the south of the North. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the North Is'and Association to find out whether that association would hr willing to enter into an arrangement whereby suspensions and disqualifications hv one association would bo recognised and enforced by the other. If the North Island Association proved willing to make such an arrangement. the council to recommend its adoption by the South Island Association. The s' eretarv was also instructed to inquire if the North. Island Association whether some arrangement could he mad" for fixing dates of shows in towns on the

north and south sides of Cook Strait, so an 1 o avoid clashing. N.Z. UTILITY POULTRY CLUB. At the ninth .egg-laying comiietition of the Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club the total of the 54 pons for the last week was 1499, making the aggregate total for the, 15 weeks 14,963. The best records for the week wore by silver Wyandotte*-—namely those of W. O. .Sail (Gust), 36: A. W. Adams (Sheffield), 35; and S. 11. Scott (Onehunga). 34 eggs. R. H. Lazarus still heads the 1 ist for the total to (Tate with 397. Next in order come C. D. C. Eggors (Nelson) and Win. Scull (Christchurch), with 390 and 389 eggs respectively. Mrs J. Mills’s (Dunedin) white Leghorns have to their credit 51 eggs for the week, and 325 for the 15 weeks. In the fourth egg-laying competition for ducks the total of the seven pens for the 15 weeks was 91. bringing the aggregate to date up to 1123. The best record for the week was by A. R. Browne’s (Petrine Beach) pen, which contributed 30 eggs.