POULTRY NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 9

POULTRY NOTES

CARE OF MOULTING HENS AND GROWING PULLETS. Writing on tho above subject in the April issue of the N.Z. Journal of Agriculture, Mr. C. J. Cusson, poultry instructor, Christchurch, says:— By this time all birds intended for the breeding-pen should have been selected and the moult started if the best results arc to be obtained. Jt is a mistake to leave the selection of the breeding-hens too late, as those external signs which indicate type, production, and, in many cases, constitution, disap pear to some extent once a bird ceases laying and begins to moult, and it is only tho very experienced poultryman who can successfully select breedingstock w’hcn birds are moulting. In some cases it will be found that a few of tho best birds, especially those good two-and-a-half-yoar-old hens, will continue to lay after this time, and these should be separated from the rest of the flock and put on a light ration of grain for two or three weeks until they cease laying and start to moult. The object should be to treat the breeders in such a way that they will be in the best condition to produce, early in the season, eggs containing the maximum fertility and vitality, and such results can be expected only when the breeders arc allowed sufficient time to build up their energy after a heavy laying-season. It is therefore, a great mistake to try to get the last egg from tho birds in the autumn and expect them to bo an a condition to give of their best in the early spring as breeders. It is well, after the breeders have been selected, to examine them for insets, and if any arc found all birds should bo treated. If a large number have to be treated, the best method is the application of a small quantity of nicotine sulphate along the lurches just before the birds go to roost. If only a small number have to be treated, the dusting of fine powder into the feathers will rid them of body-lice. A good dusting-nvixturc can be made up of equal parts of lime, fine dry earth, and sulphur. In addition to treating the birds for external parasite, it is a good idea to give them suitable treatment internally. This may be done by first starving tho birds 24 hours, then feeding them a mash made up of equal parts of bran and pollard in which has been mixed a teaspoonful of Epsom salts to each three birds, and one teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine to every five birds. The spirits of turpentimc should first be mixed with the bran. 'The amount of Epsom salts required should be dissolved in hot water and when thoroughly dissolved and the water cold it may be used to moisten tho bran and pollard. It is well to mention that better results will be obtained when this mixture is fed cold. The birds should be well fed during the mouldting period, but care must be taken to see that they do not put on too much condition. It is well, therefore, to handle some of the birds from time to time, and if they show signs of getting overfat the amount of grain being fed should be slightly reduced and the mash ration increased slightly. It is advisable to make the birds work for their grain by feeding it in deep litter. This will induce exercise, which is an essential for conditioning stock for breeding purposes. Too much forcing food, such as meat, meat-meal, or milk, should not be given. Good results have been obtained by feeding three times a week a mash consisting of two parts of pollard and one part of bran (by measure) with 5 per cent, meat-meal added. If skim-milk is used for mixing it will not be necessary to add meat-meal. As much of this mash may be given as the birds will consume in about 20 minutes. The grain ration, which is given night and morning (except of course, when the mash is fed), should consist of equal parts (by measure) of wheat, oats and broken maize. Maize is, no doubt, rather expensive in tho South, but the extra cost is worth while when it comes to tho production of good hatchable eggs. Mortality Among Turkeys. Turkey breeders find that a proportion of their turkey chicks, that seemed quite healthy, sicken for a few days and then die in apparently good condition, when no more than three months old. The roarer should, without fail, open such birds. By laying the. bird on its back and slitting across the abdomen, the breastbone, which is quite soft in a young bird, can bo bent back. The liver is then exposed to view. Jf this has mottled circles on its surface, suggestive of mould, instead of being

an even chocolate colour, then it is probable that tho bird has died of turkey liver disease, or blackhead. Unfortunately. turkeys are liable to take this very infectious disease until they are at least one year old, and it is transmitted through their droppings. Kill and burn any very sick birds, therefore, and try to put tho others on to perfectly fresh ground, changing the litter in their sleeping quarters every day. If they roost out of doors, bury or burn the droppings under the perch each morning. Give the birds curd, or milk, to drink and mash with at least 10 per cent, meat meal in it, instead of (or as well as) grain. Be sure that feeding trough and water are not contaminated with their droppings, too. If there is pot good grazing for them, turkeys need an enormous amount of green food. If the number of birds warrants it. they can be injected as preventive or cure of this disease.