DISEASE IN POULTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8808, 21 December 1906, Page 1

DISEASE IN POULTRY.

A large amount of disease is caused among poultry as a direct result of foul ground, and upon most farms this is a question which is not co carefully considered as it deserves. The danger of tainted ground mostly arises, of course, when fowls are confined in runs, but still even with those enjoying full liberty we often find that the land over which they roam ia far from fresh and sweet. So long as the grass can be kept growing strongly the fear of tainted ground is extremely slight; it is when the grass becomes worn away, and the land bare, that the great danger arises, owing to the fact that there is nothing to absorb the manure, which gradually collects, in time causing it to ba unclean. The results of tainted ground are speedily apparent, as the fowls have a sickly appearance, the feathers lose their brilliant lustre, and the wings begin to droop. Iloup, gapes and other ailments quickly eneue, causing, if not death itself, a considerable loss and unpleasantness. Perhaps the greatest advantage to be derived from portable houses is that they so considerably reduce the risk of foul ground, as they are being oonstantly moved from one place to another, thus evenly distributing the manure. When it is remembered that each adult fowl drops nearly a hundredweight of manure in the course of a year, the importance of this question will be immediately realised. It is quite possible, however, provided suitable precautions are taken, to keep a comparatively small run pure for a long time. If the grass is short, it ehould be occasionally swept, in this manner removing a good deal of the manure. Another important point is to always have around ths house a space of gravel, upon which the fowls should be fed, and which, if swept once or twice a week, will have a wonderful effect in preserving tlie purity of the grass portion. Anyone who has observed poultry will know how fond they are of continually being near the house, and •thus, the greater portion of their droppings falls within the immediate vicinity. The shape of the run, too, has a great bearing upon the length of time it remains untainted, a long, narrow run being much superior to a square one. If the space at one's disposal is very limited, it is a gocd plan to divide it into, two equal parts, placing the house in the -middle- During one year one half would he available for the fowls, the other being planted with some quickly-growing vegetable, the plant being changed the year following. The vegetable growth has the effect of using ur> the manure, and in this manner quite a small plotof land can be heavily stocked with poultry for an unlimited number of years. If tlie soil becomes at all foul it is a good plan to water'it with a 1 per cent solution of sulphuric acid, or apply a light dressing of gas-lime.