THE FARM.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13438, 8 June 1912, Page 8

THE FARM.

POULTRY ON A FARM

Cleanliness- and goocl housing are imperative factors towards the filling cf the egg basket.

Do not delay in killing or fattening all male birds that are inferior and not worth keeping. .

When meat is given to chickens it is a good plan to mince it very fine and mix with meal, otherwise the chicks dislike other food for several1 hours afterwards.

A little Condy's fluid in the drinking water is beneficial in the autumn in warding off disease. One teaspoonful of Condy's fluid to a gallon of water.

Up-to-date poultry breeders have fruit trees growing in the poultry yards. They provide shade in summer and throw off their leaves in tho autumn.

Too much stress cannot be laid on tho importance of a good supply of green food for poultry. Nothing tends more to keep them in good health and condition.

If young turkeys show signs of drooping when about to "shoot the red," give some finely chopped meat, and feed on good sound oats and wheat. Add a littlo iron to the water.

Roup and colds are often contracted during hot weather, if chickene are at all crowded in their sleeping places. See that all have good air draughts. A good whitewash for poultry houses is- four gallons of lime and water, half ••> pound of soft soap and one pint of paraffin oil. Mix well together. The paraffin destroys the insects, while the soap causes the whitewash to adhere to the walls. Soft shelled eggs are usually caused by henr. not having sufficient materials out of which to make their shells.. This should be remedied by giving thorn a plentiful eupply of grit, kitchen ashes, old mortar and broken oyster shells.

Diarrhoea, and chicken cholera are apt to break out in hot weather. Keep coops and drinking vessels sweet and clean. If any birds are attacked, give powdered chalk in r.r;ft food, and place a lump of camphor in drini ing water.

Tho r.n^ni^r-fc corner of tho covered yard sh'iii!' 7 bo mado into, a dust bath. A dust bath is simply a piece of land with two or three- foot of fine earth or sifted ashes on it. During fino weather fowls roll themselves ?,boiit in this, and cleanse thomsplvcs from vermin. Soak it with water on hot days.

Dryness, light, warmth and freedom from draughts— thef-e are the cesential requirements of a good fowlhouse, and they must be met before it is po&sible to keep pon'try with any reasonable prospect of success.