POULTRY YARD

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 24 (Supplement)

POULTRY YARD

il -- - BY ■jfliriiriNiiHHHflnHDNniffnnHMiHfliii

G. H. AMBLER

PITFALLS IN POULTRY-KEEPING.

Instead of considering the things that we ought to do, we should try to discover what errors we must avoid in connection with poultry-keeping. Every walk of life has its own particular pitfalls, and to achieve success we must avoid them as far as possible. If we reflect a moment we will find that the chief aspect in any business is a sound practical experience, and it is easily seen that failure will certainly be the end of any concern that starts without it. ■ Poultry-keeping of any class, whether the owner is a large farmer or backyarder, demands experience if financial success is to be attained. In the case of the poultry farmer a proper, thorough course of tuition must be pursued upon a farm similar to that which the pupil intends eventually to run upon his own account. Above all, do not make the mistake of simply watching others do the work, because you are paying for tuition, but do the actual practical work. If you have not a first-hand knowledge of any business you cannot expect to manage those whom you employ with any measure of success. . The 'small poultry enthusiast can gain a good experience from friends who go in for the same hobby, and the very valuable assistance to be gained by taking up a good periodical dealing with our 'feathered friends must not be forgotten. FOWLS REQUIRE SPACE. A common mistake made in the keeping of fowls is that of trying to maintain too many birds in the space which is at disposal. Overcrowding is at all times a very real menace to success and should be rigorously avoided. For instance, if fowls are crowded in their sleeping compartment, and consequently over-heated,, colds and roup are the outcome of this state of affairs. As with human beings, the sudden change from a close heated atmosphere into a cold and damp one is certain to meait 'illness jn poultry. Remember, of course, that this applies to all ages of fowls, and nothing is more disastrous then an epidemic of roup in young, chickens. The rearing ground, if at all possible, should be a different one each season. Great care with the breeding stock is essential, and errors are made in this direction in a great many cases. First of all, the age of the stock is of much importance, and all birds must be of proper maturity before taking their place in the breeding pen. The selection of the male bird means much to success, and, as a general rule, it is found that the best results are attained by using young active cockerels in cold weather, and the two-year-old cocks later in the season. The percentage of fertile eggs will be much greater if this also be adopted. Also, do not make the error of placing too many females in the breeding pen, especially in very wintry weather, or where the male bird is in his second season. Curiously enough, where fowls are on a free range, more females can be put with the males, and fertility is generally very high. CAREFUL SELECTION OF FOOD. Foodstuffs, it is easily understood, play an important part in successful poultry-breeding. Beware of tne various cheap foods that we see, as it will be found eventually that they are the dearest owing to their inferior quality. Always buy the best quality of foodstuffs. They may seem to be expensive when purchased, but in the end their use will prove that the 'best results can be hoped for only by using them. Utmost cleanliness must be observed in everything in connection with poultry. See that the incubator lamp burners are boiled out periodically, and that the egg trays and the interior of the machine are properly cleaned after every hatch. Set a certain day aside for

cleaning out poultry houses, and see that the li..y in the nest boxes is always sweet and clean. Water vessels c a im great attention and should be 'ep clean. Above all, do not grudge plen y of time to your poultry; they wu. pay for it. > INDIGESTION OR FOUL CROP. You must sometimes have seen one of your fowls standing moping by t e drinking fountain with ? er comb looking and purple-coloured. The bird refuses all food, but is continually taking great gulps of water, and altogether appears very much, out of sorts. Nine times out of ten these symptoms are those of crop trouble, or indigestion. If the bird is caught and the crop felt, you will find that the latter is greatly distended, and full bf fluid. The trouble is usually due to debility and is really a form of indigestion. The crop hangs down owing to the large amount of water which the bird consumes. The remedy lies in emptying the crop and generally, toning up the bird’s system. To empty the crop, first of all add a little permanganate, of potash to hot water, just enough of the potash to turn the . water pink. Now hold the bird firmly under the left arm, stretch her head well up, open the beak, and pour down the throat a. little of the fluid. After that, while still holding the bird, securely, turn the head and neck downwards, and keep, the mouth well open by • wedging a finger between the upper and the lower beak. With.the right hand grasp the crop and squeeze it, when some of the contents will be evacuated. The process must ’be repeated until the crop is quite empty. LOOK AFTER THE FEEDING. The bird should be kept quiet for a few days afterwards and fed on a light nourishing diet. The general health should be toned up by giving some good conditioner, or a ; few drops of. tincture of iron in the’drinking water will prove 'beneficial. : The vices of feather-pulling and eggeating are always more common in overcrowded flocks than in quarters where there is plenty of space for the fowls to exercise.

Double-yolked eggs result from overfeeding or a diseased ovary, and so do badly-shaped eggs—those that are found and have heavy ridges. Soft-shelled eggs are usually due to fatness oi' over-stimulation, and not so much to the lack of grit or shell, as many believe. ■ ■ If'you'use milk in any form be sure to use clean vessels.'

If straw or hay is used for litter, be sure that it is dry, clean and bright. Musty or mouldy litter, or damp, filthy litter, is sure to cause trouble. Dryness, sunshine,’ and a dust-bath are indispensable to the health and comfort of fowls. Never let the fowls’ food become sour or fermented. It should always 'be fresh and whole?oroe.