POULTRY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17964, 8 March 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES.

BUMBLE FOOT. THE CAUSE AND CURE. Some correspondents have complained recently that their fowls have been suffering from swellings under the feet. This trouble is known as “ bumble foot.” A bird that has a tendency to tuberculosis or an hereditary disposition to it is much more ready to develop a deposit of tubercular matter pn the foot. The cause in the first place may be the treading on broken glass or any sharp substance likely to cause an injury. A tear on barbed wire or on a nail that is unduly exposed may start the trouble, and then symptoms, where there is a disposition to tuberculosis, will soon assert themselves, causing great trouble and discomfort. Another reason for the appearance of bumble foot is created by the height at which perches are sometimes put in the sleeping houses, especially if the floor is of a hard nature is the trouble likely to occur.

Having to fly down from a height from a crowded roost on to a hard floor is almost certain to cause trouble, and if the birds are of the heavy breeds the danger, on account of their weight, is all the greater. ■Dorkings and Houdans were very frequently found to be the sufferers, and this gave rise to the idea that the structure of their feet was the cause of it —both of these breeds having five toes. This theory has been discredited, however, as it has been found that four-toed birds suffer in the same way where they are subjected to the same conditions. • Treatment. If .the swelling is hard and rather like a “corn" is should he pared carefully either with a razor or a lance, a second person holding the bird firmly, while the operation is going on. It may then have its surface painted over with tincture of iodine twice daily, or it may be touched once a day with acetic acid. If the trouble and swelling is of a simple nature this will likely dissolve and clear away the swelling and the hardness. Should the gathering be of a soft nature it should, before being cut, be poulticed. Then it may be opened when it appears ready, and have the matter squeezed out. Wash the cut part very carefully with a warm disinfectant solution, trying to clear out all possible discharge. Tie the foot up very firmly so that the bird may not be able to remove the bandage, as it is sure to peck at it-. Place the invalid in a softly-littered coop where it has not too much light, and on no account let it mount the

roost again until the wound is perfectly healed, and then only on a roost placed at a reasonable height. A case of bumble foot is a warning to revise the height of the roosts and other condili ms that are likely to contribute to such things happening.

MORE ABOUT CULLING. THROW OUT THE NON-LAYERS. A matter that should specially concern every poultry breeder is the culling out of every bird that is not paying or that is not likely to pay its way. With the high cost of feed, no sentiment can be allowed to interfere with

sound policy. It is essential that every layer that is finishing its third laying season of production should be marketed, as well as a fair number of second-year hens that have run to a too fatty condition. It is not wise to sacrifice second-season liens except for this or some other urgent reason. Under existing conditions drastic culling should take place in every flock in the Stale this month, for it is only Ihe very best laying hens that will show a fair margin of profit during its second laying season. It should be remembered that, generally speaking, the first and second-year hens will start to moult shortly and will be non-producers while they are shedding their old coals of feathers and growing lhe new ones. Providing they are not stinted in their, food, however, they will be almost as profitable to keep as pullets, especially if they are assisted through the m nil by the addition of such foods to the mash as are known to contain feather-forming ingredients, such as sulphur and linseed meal. In saying that the culling of undesirable stock is the key-note of successful poultry keeping, it is not forgotten that this operation is probably the most difficult of any connected with the business. The best guide in this important work is to observe the moulting stage as a sign by which the

good layers may he distinguished from the drones. The birds that should be culled are those that are moulting or showing ■ signs of it, those above the normal weight of their breed, those with poor development in the abdominal region, and those of weak constitution, dull eye, loose feather, and a sluggish appearance. It would be a mistake to cull birds at any time that show indications that they are laying, such as no sign of moulting , red combs, a fulness in 111 0 abdomen, and an active, business-like appearance.

Although the width of the pelvic hones as a guide to laying power is of no value, it is a fact that the position of these bones is a fair guide as to whether the bird will lay in the near future, or whether she is taking the usual rest before moulting. If the bones are close together, and the breast-bones close up to them it may he taken for granted that the bird will not lay for some lime, and therefore will he unprofitable to keep. If tile pelvic bones are wide apart, and there is a good depth between them and the breast-bone, with a fullness of the abdomen, and fine skin texture, it may lie safely reckoned that the bird is laying or will soon commence to do so, and is therefore well worth retaining in the tlock until she shows signs ol' moulting. Of course, the breeder with a trained eye does not require to handle the bird at any time to-know whether she is hi a laying condition or not. Muscovy Ducks. At this time of year ducklings arc often affected by the heat. The remedy, or rather, the preventive, is always to have ample shade under which the water must be kept, so that the birds can dip their bills into it whenever they feel inclined. Muscovy ducks arc careless mothers. They never consider how their ducklings should be cared for, but allow them to roam and bask in the sun, and it is while thus stretched out in the fierce sun-rays that the damage is done. Therefore, when an attempt is made to drive them, some are unable to rise, and some rise staggering. In the case of sunstroke, pick up the young bird, and pour cold water on its head. Do that for ten minutes, then put it into a cool, shady pen or shed, and give plenty of cool water. Feed lightly for a few days, when it should be recovered sufficiently to put back with its mates.

y\’ e P_footed birds have few- diseases, but they are subjects to one or two, of which a serious one is pneumonia, caused by sudden exposure to sudden chillv weather, or to dirty pens. Duckling create great heat when closed in pen or sheds; they are put into a condition favourable to the “ flu,” and unless di.ligently watched it wipes out the flock.