IN THE POULTRY YARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19344, 19 November 1932, Page 10

IN THE POULTRY YARD

CAUSING STOCK LOSSES If a poultry-keeper finds that his stock, especially the developing birds, are not doing well, have an unthrifty appearance, and are dying off, in nine cases out of ten it is a case of incorrect management, says “The Australasian.” Runs that are foul and muddy through want of cleaning and improper drainage will have this effect, such conditions being likely to harbour eggs of worms and other internal parasites as well as disease-pro-ducing bacteria. Then vermin, such as lice and red mites, will have the same effect. Lack of ventilation In the poultry-houses Is another cause, impure and damp air being very harmful, but improved ventilation does not mean draughts, which are almost as disasterous as bad ventilation. Lack of sunlight is another frequent cause of trouble, because sunlight is one of the utmost value in preventing leg weakness in chickens. One of the most common causes of failure probably is overcrowding, and this must be guarded against, for not only does close contact facilitate the spreading of disease, vermin, and worms, but also the weaker birds do not procure their fair quota of food. Coining to the question of feeding, tainted and mouldy food of any kind should on no account be given, and the mash should never be thrown on the ground, but placed in receptacles, which should be constantly cleaned; neglect in this way brings about intestinal trouble; the only sour food that can be fed is milk, the lactic acid in which seems to control fermentation; even the green feed must be sound, and needless to say, the drinking water must always be clean and fresh. Pay attention to these details, and all will go well, provided the birds are bred from healthy, vigorous I stock.

THE MEDICINE CHEST A very necessary adjunct to the poultry yard is a cupboard containing a few simple remedies and “first-aid'’ outfit, because the early treatment of any trouble, be it disease or injury, is more often than not the secret of a successful cure. The primary cost of the following medicines is very little, and everybody is familiar with them, but their dosage when applied to fowls is an important factor that is not always known. Commencing with castor oil. this homely remedy is of the greatest value, and is absolutely harmless. Its use is essential for all disorders of the crop and other digestive organs. The dose for an adult fowl is about a tablespoonful, and the best way to administer is with a glass syringe or dropper. Castor oil, besides helping to remove any irritant has a soothing and healing action on inflamed tissues. Glauber salts (soda sulph.) and Epsom salts (mag. sulph.) are both excellent laxatives, the dose for an adult bird being half a teaspoonful; it can be administered in the soft mash or in the drinking water, and a periodical treatment of the whole flock will be into the mash allow the birds to become hungry to ensure a sufficient quantity being taken. Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is valuable in cases of sour or distended crop. The dose per bird is as much as can be put on a threepenny piece. For flock treatment dissolve a teaspoonful in a quart of water, and keep before the birds for several days.

i Tincture of iodine is valuable for dressing cuts and injuries and as a paint in cases of chicken-pox and i other skin troubles. It has also been j proved to be of great value as an ad- | junct to the rations, improving egg I production, fertility, and general development of the growing bird. The addition of iodine to the drinking water has a beneficial effect in white diarrhoea in chickens. It can be given as follows: (1) Tincture of iodine in drinking water, 1 to 11 teaspoonfuls of tincture (21 per cent, strength), added to each gallon of water. (N. 8.: The receptacles must not be made of metal); (b) A solution of iodide of potassium in water sprinkled on the mash, loz. of the salt in two quarts of water (preferably boiled and cooled); I mix this in the liquid used for making

I the mash or sprinkle evenly over the dry mash in the proportion of half a teaspoonful a bird a day. Calomel is a strong laxative, and is valuable in cases of liver trouble; dose, a quarter of a grain to a grain. Peroxide of hydrogen is used as a swab for throat and nostrils in the proportion of one of peroxide to three of water. A jar of carbolised vaseline. A mixture of olive oil and turpentine). for bronchial affections, 10 i drops daily to each bird. A tin of cne of the carbolic disinfectants for ! general use. A bottle of permanganate of potash, commonly known as Condy s crystals, an antiseptic and disinfectant, the favourite method of application being in the drinking water. Dose, about as much as will cover a sixpence to a gallon of water. A tin |of some reliable tonic. A tin of insect

powder. A mixture of sulphur and kerosene, which is of the utmost value in cases of favus or white comb. A bottle of a high-grade tested cod-liver oil, one per cent, of which mixed into the mash for chickens, layers, and breeders is followed by beneficial results. Approximately this is half a pint of oil to every 501 b. of mash. Appliances should consist of a sharp pair of scissors, a small glass syringe, a glass dropper, a pair of tweezers or small forcepts. a roll of cotton wool, some ciean, soft material for bandaging. and last but not least a "tomriiyhawk," which in many cases is out and away the best remedy.—“ The Australasian.” 1

As the warm weather is now geners it is time to look out for vermin ins poultry houses. To be a ful poultry man, these must be kepi down.