THE POULTRY RUN.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 326, 26 June 1914, Page 8

THE POULTRY RUN.

FEATHER TROUBLES,

When chickens do not produce feathers as they should do, Ire suic that either constitutional weakness or insect pests is at the scat of the trouble. There is a g'reat strain placed upon the chicken’s system during" the time it is feathering" up, and consequently, there is a corresponding" craving on the part of the bird for nourishing" food. When chicks arc seen to mope about they should be examined, and if their skins seem dry and parched they should be given a little well-stewed linseed in their soft food, and the latter should be of a nourishing character. If insect pests arc seen on their bodies, then insect powder should be applied, and on the following, day a little ointment composed of sulphur and vaseline should be applied to the affected parts. Insects are generally transmitted from the hen to her brood. If the brood hen is kept free from insect pests the latter will rarely be found on the chickens.

PURIFIER AND CLEANSER

Limewash, if properly prepared, has yet to be beaten as a purifier and cleanser, and the interiors of all structures are benefited by an application of it. Poultry houses should be limewashed at least twice a year, whilst brood coops and brooders should be treated prior to tenanting fresh hatches of chickens. To prepare limewash, the lime (unslaked) should be put into a pail and boiling water poured over it to slake it. It should then be strained through a piece of coarse sacking" held over another pail to remove the solids. To the strained liquids should be added some salt, liquid fat, or some soft soap and petroleum. When prepared the limewash should be of the thickness of cream, and should be applied "whilst in a hot condition, using a brush to coat the. plain surfaces and an old garden syringe to coat the corners , cracks and crevices. Another good limewash, and one that has adhesive qualities, may be prepared by dissolving lime with boiling" water and straining it, and then adding some whiting, liquid glue, and salt. Alum is a good thing to impart drying and adhesive qualities to limewash, and an addition of it to the mixture .will be of benefit.

A RELIABLE FUMIGATOR,

Flowers of sulphur make one of the most reliable fumigators it is possible to use for the destruction of disease germs and insect pests. If sulphur fumes will not destroy insect pests and disease microbes, then nothing else on earth will. The sulphur candles now obtainable for fumigating purposes may be used, or the powdered sulphur placed on red-hot cinders, the latter having been put into a shallow iron pan. But which ever method is adopted, the building" to be dealt with must be rendered proof against the escape of fumes. In the case of open-front houses, it is a good plan to paste strong brown paper over the openings to render them airtight during the fumigating process. When the sulphur is ignited the door of the building should be quickly closed and tightly fastened, and should be kept fastened for 24 hours, after which the interior of the structure should be thoroughly aired before being" limewashed. The fumigating of poultry houses is best attended when the fowls can be isolated to fresh quarters without being checked in laying. Petroleum is an invaluable commodity in the poultry yard. For mixing with limewash, painting over the perches and insides of the nest boxes, injecting into the haunts of insect pests, and for applying to the shanks of fowls suffering from scaly leg, nothing" could be better. It is a cheap but valuable germ-destroyer when applied to coops and other structures previously occupied by infected birds. If the roosts are periodically dressed with oil, such insects as would otherwise visit the fowls and torture them during the night time will keep at a safe distance. But here, again, as in the the case were creosote is used as an insecticide, the owner of exhibition stock must be careful, and he will therefore discard the use of petroleum in any place where it is likely to come into contact with the fowls' plumage, as it has a detrimental effect upon the latter.

It is wise to encourage chickens to perch as soon as possible, as by this means they arc not crowded, they are off the ground, and currents of fresh air play round them, to the advantage of their health and general condition. A flat perch, eins. wide, will usually prevent any trouble with crooked breastbone. It should be remembered that the breastbone of a young - chick is very soft, and, if a round perch is used, the bone may follow the curve and become bent in. Perching is much more to be preferred than to allow the chickens to bunch on the ground and become overheated, lheie is nothing like plenty of fresh air when bringing up chicks. When they arc perched they get it, but when camped on the ground in a heap they don’t.

A good way to give water to young chickens is to place stones in a shallow vessel. and then fill it with water. The chicks will drink between the stones, but the\ cannot fall in and drown. 1 lie stones should be kept clean.