POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3329, 2 January 1918, Page 43

POULTRY NOTES.

Bv Teh hob.

Last week I made reference to the largo number of birds being sent into 'the salerooms because of the high cost of feed. There can be no doubt as to the cause of theso heavy consignments, because not only aro the sales heavier than usual, even for the Christmas market, but the bright red combs (chiefly Leghorns) indicate that thr/ birds aro in laying condition. As I suggested last wool;, the town and suburban poultry-keepers-' necessity is the country farmers' onportunity. Tho general farmer can keep much larger flocks without special purchases as regards feed, and consequently will have the egg market practically under his own control, providing ho concentrates hi 3 supplies through ono channel—say, for instance, tho egg circles, who in their turn act as°one in regulating prices. My object in writing again on the subject this week is to point out that, wherever there is an ordinary-sized family to provide for, at least three or four—or, say, half a dozen—pullets can and should be kept, for a few can bo fed quite as cheaply by the town poultryman as they are under general farm conditions, for the chief food supply may bo kitchen and 'table scraps and oddments. Tho little food that need be bought—say oaten pollard instead of wheat pollard—would be a profitable expenditure in view of the extra eggs which would be produced through its use. It is a national and patriotic dutv to produce eggs in these days if it can be done without encroaching on the ordinarv food supply; consequently, in cases where the bulk of the fowl food would bo merelv wasto material were there no fowls, fowls should certainly be kept. A Home writer says: —"All _ food is expensive; but it is almost a certainty 'that eggs, even in country districts, will bo sold at the rate of four for Is. In the towns they will bo almost unobtainable at any price. Those who love fresh-laid eggs will have to set to work to produce them on the premises: thero aro few houses where there is not enough outside room for a small pen of six birds. If two eggs per bird weekly can be obtained—not an extravagant claim —good profit will be made. Better feed for eggs by using a fair allowance of cooked animal food in winter than try a system of feeding which denies tho birds the food really essential for egg-pro-duction. In tho towns eggs will sell at much better prices than those mentioned

here. Although many people ridicule the idea of eggs being; 6d each, I feel sure that, rather than be without this essential food for invalids and children, the sixpenny egg will be a reality in many places before Christmas. Late summer is one of the best times to start on tho lines I have sketched out. Quito true, it is cheaper starting in tho spring; but there is more risk with young chicks, and a great deal of money has to be spent on food, and it soems a very long time before there is any reward for the labour involved. Another point, beginners should not start with, young chicks, tho work is difficult, and the risk of disease and loss multiplied." Anybody thinking of starting with a few head of poultry just now could purchase them at tho salerooms in laying condition at the price restaurant-keepers pay for them, instead of ss, or more, a-pieco, as is usually tho case. All the purchaser wants, if ho is no judge himself, is to take a friend with him who knows a laying hen when he sees it.

—lt will certainly pay _ poultry-keepers handsomely to plant "sufficient green stuff this season to provide not only for the household wants, but for poultry feed. It helps to make bulk, and it always conduces to health; and although it is not directly what is termed an \gg-maker, it is so indirectly, for without it the best egg-making foods aro of littlo benefit. The fact that it makes bulk, however, is an important feature just now, for one can afford a few less eggs per annum from a bird when tho price of eggs is high. ( Lawn clippings are good for poultry, and tho shorter tho clippings the safer (as against crop-binding) and better. Almost every kind of green stuff is good for poultry; so, if vegetables are not available, dock leaves, dandelions, chickweed, etc., should bo cut up and served to them. By feeding green stuff you supply tho digestive juices wherewith the fowl oan turn all its other food to best account. Per contra, without green food the fowl passes through its system a great deal of the grain and mash food undigested. Feeding green stuff to poultry is economical from every point of view. Scaly Leg—lts Cause and _ Cure.—This is caused by a parasite, and, if neglected, will cause great disfigurement to a bird's legs, and ultimately cause it to assume a grotesque and ruined appearanco, altogether unfitting it for the' show pen. Such cases ought to be isolated from other poultry, as scaly leg seems very infectious, and in timo will spread 'to all tho members of the pen or yard. It is often recommended to brush tho legs well with hot "water with plenty of soda in it, and then dip the legs regularly in paraffin once or* twice a day, treating meanwhile with sulphur ointment made with sulphur and petroleum jelly, usually sold as vaseline; Any application of sulphur is aways beneficial; but anything of a greasy nature causes dirt to stick, and does no:- penetrate under this scales like a lotion will. Several lotions can be recommended. The hypo used by photographers comes m usefully as a preliminary lotion in the strength of 6oz to one pint ,of water. This can be allowed to dry. The legs should be so held that the lotion can penetrate under the scales. Every alternate day give_ a soaking of snirits of salt, one 'pint of water. This will do the 'trick in less than a week. Or, again, boil together lib of limo and lib of sulphur in a gallon of water. Keep it stirred. Bottle in dark bottles. Keep in a dark place. Steep the legs in the solution every day for a week. —ln very hot weather cases of apoplexy may occur among fowls. This is a disease of the brain caused by the rupture of one of the blood vessels. The bird is attacked suddenly, and falls down, apparently dead, or nearly so. The usual cause is too high feeding; but it may also be duo to some other provocation, such as sudden fright, voilent exertion, or straining in laying eggs. Fowls sometimes aro found dead on the nest, or under perches. There is usually no previous'warning. Don't overfeed. It is better to keep tho fowls a bit on tho hungry side as against giving too much food. Once a hen becomes overfat she is liable to lay soft-shell eegs and eggs which contain weak germs. Tho overfat hen rarely amounts to anything when once she has got into that condition. The hen which goes to roost with a tightlypacked, hard crop is almost always a good layer; the full, hard crop is typical of that kind of bird. The full, pudgy crop, which seems as though it mostly contains water and soft stuff, is nearly always owned by the poor layer. A very useful litter that is often thrown away ,or burnt is pea haulms. Now that the early peas are over, clear the ground for other crops, and throw the haulms into the scratching sheds. As later peas finish yielding, and if sufficient litter is in the houses, spread the haulms on the ground for a day or two to dry, and then tie, into bundles and store for future use. These haulms arc stronger than straw, and will not so readily tsar to pieces. ,

Males tread from 36 to 40 females per day, and ono tread may fertilise from 10 to 15 eggs. Therefore, it is possible for one male to fertilise a great many eggs in one day. One male left with the flock will do much damage to tho quality of the eggs in summer. Pen valuable males with a few females, and uso their eggs at home. Hens cannot make etrgs unless they have lime to make the shells. Feed and water usually contain only enough lime to shell ono egg for each 10 eggs the feed would produce. Tho number of eggs produced from high-priced feed should not be limited because of a lack of lime. Keep cru bed lime rock or oyster-shell before the hens at all times. Supply hard, sharp grit also. The little red mite is grey unless filled with blood; it sucks the hen's blood during the night, and stays" in cracks and crevices about .roots, nests, etc., during ""tho day. Hens annoyed afc night by mites arc not profitable. Spray roosts once each week with one part crude carbolic acid and two parts coal oil. The Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago (Ltd.). report: —"An exceptionally heavy yarding of poultry came forward for our sales on "Wednesday, ISth ult., so we had to have an overflow sale, selling again on Friday. Prices were exceptionally high for all lines of poultry, and eggs also experienced a keen demand. Wo also sold dressed poultry at our stores on Saturday. Eggs realised is 6d for stamped and guaranteed, doubtful eggs difficult to sell. "We give below the prices secured for our consignors:—Hens—l2 at Is sd, 61 at Is 6d. 22 at Is 7d. 161 at Is Bd. 126 at Is 9d. 90 at Is lOd, 14 at Is lid, 52 at 2s. 27 at 2s Id, 47 at 2a 2d, 19 at 2s 3d, 39 at 2s 7d, 44 at 3s 6d. two at 4s, 28 at 2s 6d; cocks—--10 at Is 6d; seven at Is 7d. four at Is Bd. six at Is 9d, seven at Is lOd. two at 2s, three at 4s. two at 5s 6d: chickens —three at Is 3d, six at Is sd. eight at Is 6d. five at Is Bd, one at Is lOd; ducks—l 6 at 3s 3d,

12 at 3s 6d, eight at 3s 9d, four at 4s 3d, two at 4s 9d, 10 at ss, four at 5s 6d; geose—fivo at 4s 6d, six at 4s 9d, 17 at 5s 3d, three at 4s sd, ecven at 5s 6d, 16 at 5s 9d, 12 at 6s. three at 6s 3d, five at 6s 9d, 10 at 6s 6d; gobblers—nino at Is o£d lb- turkey hens—five at 3d, 18 at.4d, 65 at 6d, 20 at Bd, eight at 9d, one at Is. Dressed fowls realised 2s 3d to 2s 6d each."

Fraser and Co., agents for Otago Egg Circle and Southern Cross meat meal, report:—Eggs: Market unsteady; Is 5d to Is 6d; cased eggs, Is 4d. Poultry: Cockerels, 5s 6d: hens, 3s 2d to 4s; geese. 8s to 10s; ducks, ss; turkeys, gobblers 10£d, hens 9J,d. Write for -poultry crates. Tho Co-operativo Fruitgrowers of Otago, Ltd., report: —As usual during the holidays our market has been considerably upsofc, and our usual sale of poultry was held on Friday afternoon instead of Wednesday. We submitted a very fair yarding of poultry, and prices realised were slightly easier. We • purpose holding sales of trussed poultry every Saturday morning. During tho week stamped and guaranteed eggs havo been in. keen demand, and wo have been able to secure Is 6d per dozen for all our consignments. Doubtful and inferior egg 3 are difficult to sell, and quiteuseless to forward to this market. Tho following prices were realised at our sal© on Wednesday:—Hens Is 6d to 2s' Id, cockerels Is 4d to 2s lid, ducks 2s 3d, chicks .7d to Is sd, dressed poultry—so hens at 2s 8d each."