POULTRY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18630, 7 May 1932, Page 19 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES.

the old stock. How is the old stock faring? If ' the flock has been fed throughout, the summer with animal protein supplement the moulting process may be just beginning in the more continuous layers, but if the flock has been gram fed, the moult may be pretty well finished. The latter moulter will require comfortable quarters. Cold weather will come on and catoh her with only a partial coat of featheis, and unless she is comfortably housed she will suffer. Feed the moulting fowls well to bring them through in the quickest possible time. The , plumage should be examined frequently during the process of moult | to detect any feathers that may come i In off-coloured or twisted. When any : suoh appear, they should be pulled out so that others, which usually come in all right, may grow in. Overcrowding and poorly ventilated quarters have a bad effect on the growth of the plumage. The moulting birds should not be forced for eggs, as egproduction and leathers growth cannot be carried on successfully at tho same time. Green feed in abundanco should be available at all times. CROP BINDING. Crop binding is caused by an obstruction in the crop sometimes rnus"d i by long, coarse grass, small twigs, bits j of string ami ether substances which | the birds pick up, and sometimes by a j too heavy meal •of grain. The Irent- ! ment should. Xo.. juiapipt.,. XirsLjcalch

the bird and get someone to hold it while you pour a tablespoonful of salad or olive oil down its throat. Then knead the crop well with the hands so that the oil may mix well with the food in the crop. This, if the obstruction is not too large, will help the food to pass away. Another plan is ! to pour, down (lie throat some warm water, say, a quarter of a pint, in which has been dissolved a teaspoonful of Epsom salts. Pour this gently, at the same time watching carefully that the bird docs not choke. When two or three tablespoonfuls have reached the crop leave off pouring in the water and knead the crop well to -jcqw jo- pooj jo ssEUi aqj dn quajq over is the cause of the obstruction. Do this for a few minutes, then pour in a little more water and repeat the kneading until the mass Is broken up. Then hold the bird up by the legs, and gently press some of the matter j out of the crop into the throat. Having , done this, leave the bird in a pen for | an hour or so, then repeat the process. You must not do too much at once or the bird may become exhausted. In very bad cases that will not yield to simple treatment an operation is necessary. Tho after-treatment is important. For a few days following tlie operation very little food should ! be provided, and only that of a soft nature. Soaked broad and milk is a good diet. No hard corn, and no green food should lie supplied.