POULTRY NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 22 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

PROVISION OF VENTILATION. During the summer months some method of increasing ventilation is desirable, and one very, good way to arrange this is to cut one and a-half inch round holes—one to every sixinches, in a straight, line—along the back of the house about four inches from the top; then lake a piece of board three inches wide ami sufficiently long to cover the holes, and leave a few inches blank, so that for every hole in the house you have two holes and a blank in the hoard. Tack a small square- of perforated zinc over each second hole in the board, and fasten on “runners" on the outside of the house, so ihat you are able to slide the board along to adjust your ventilation. You can have the whole aperture open in very hot weather. The holes covered with zinc will break any wind, or the blank space in the board will close the hole in the house entirely. If the summer is exceptionally dry for a long period one may have trouble with 'the locks on poultry houses, owing to the shrinkage of the wood to such an extent that the- locks will not catch, instead of altering the position of the locks little metal plates maybe inserted in slides which, when slightly drawn out, make very good catches for the lock.

In some very open positions it is sometimes desirable that all air and light should ho let in, hut a strong wind should he stopped, and in such a ease the shutter should be swung outward from (lie bottom instead of the top. You can arrange your shutters to swing either way by using small door-bolts and sockets at each corner instead of hinges. Place the bolls as near the. edge as possible, then by using the top or bottom bolts as binges you can swing cither way; by boiling all four you shut right up, and the whole stiiillcr is easily removed for cleaning, etc. It, is as weli !o go round with the oil can and give all hinges and bolts a liberal dose occasionally.

Scratching Litter. To keep birds in healthy laying condition a good depth of scratching litter is essenlia). It is a good plan lo rake the lit lop up into a heap along the front, of the house, because the birds like scratching away from the light, and it may surprise you how quickly a few active birds will turn over a large heap of Idler in lindius the grain. l>o md be afraid of giving the birds plenty of work—they like it, and if kept in healthy occupation in this way they never gel into bad habits.

WAGING WAFt ON PARASITES. Merely supplying fowls with a dust bath will not rid them of parasitic infestation; it may help Ihe birds to shake a few Insects off. but that is all, so more stringent iuiLluhls must be adopted, says the ‘'Australian.” The annual loss from these pests is probably much greater than is generally imagined. In the case of young chickens, especially turkey poults, the results often prove fatal. In older birds if lice do not actually kill they cause the birds to get into an unthrifty condition, due to constant Irritation, and so, by lowering their vitality, render them more subject to contract disease. In the case of baby chickens and turkey poults a good dusting with insect powder, and greasing the head with barbolised vaseline, or sulphur ointment, is recommended. Painting the perches with a staple nicotine preparation is one of the most satisfactory methods of dealing with the general flock, but this must be applied undiluted, the killing action being due to the fumes penetrating the feathers. _ A diluted solution will only be effective when it comes into contact wib the parasites, as in dipping or spraying. Dusting birds with sodium fluoride, or a mixture of flowers of sulphur and sodium fluoride is another effective method, and is economical; but rather more troublesome, as each bird must be thoroughly dusted, the powder being worked into the feathers with the Angers. Two applications, the second taking place a week after ■the first, are necessary, as the first will only kill the active parasites, the powder having no effect on the eggs, or “nits." These eggs will be hatched by the time of the second application, and 'then the birds will 'be free of these pe‘sts for some time. Dipping In a solution of sodium fluoride gives complete satisfaction, for it destroys both the insect and the eggs, but the process Is troublesome, and rather rough on the birds except In very 7 warm weather; it certainly 7 should never be employed except on a warm, sunny 7 day 7 , and early in the day, so that 'the fowls will be quite dry by night time. The proportions for the dtp are loz. o-f sodium fluoride to one gallon of warm water. 'Each blTd should be Immersed with only Its head out, for half a minute after which the head should be dipped. GENERAL NOTEB. If insect pests are not kept In constant check the health of the birds, as well as their egg yield, will suffer. The best method of dealing with vermim is to prevent them from making their appearance. This implies strict attention to cleanliness, the provision of good dust-baths, periodical spraying of the houses with strong disinfectant, and the application of nicotine sulphate to the perches. There should be no delay In marking the feet of chickens for age determination. (Marking is the onl'.y means whereby the .common mistake of disposing of young profitable birds at culling time, and retaining on the plant of old unprofitable ones may be obviated with certainty. The outbreak of poultry disease in Victoria has resulted In South Australia refusing to admit poultry alive or dead eggs, or pigeons from this State New South Wales also prohibits the entry of live poultry and pigeons, hut dressed poultry and eggs sent from a farm at least 15 miles from an affected farm will be admitted subject to a declaration from the consignors and a stock inspectors certi- ' At this .season of the year poultry keepers should make certain that birds both old and young, have a good supply of clean drinking water. There is about a .pint of water in every dozen eggs, and fowls require an ample quantity always before them, especially in hot weather. One hundred fowls require from three to Jour, gallons of water daily, and It is Imperative the water supply should be ample—-and fresh. It is not generally understood that ducks are exceptionally temperamental and as the result of this It Is advisable for there to be only one feeder, as the birds become attached to him and do not freely take to anyone else, and if they are changed from one feeder to another their egg yield is checked. After ducks have been sent on a railway journey they do not settle down in fresh quarters quickly, but take some time to become accustomed to their and this necessitates very light feeding foi « few days. . Toe-pecking among brooder chicles is a very troublesome complaint, and is decidedly difficult to cope with. Tel-low-legged and yellow-toed chicks seem to be the most liable to be attacked by the others. If possible, let the birds get out into an earth run with grass in it; this will occupy them. One method sometimes employed is to dip tlie chickens’ feet in a strong solution of quassia water. Heavy laying dulls the lustre of the | olumago and lightens the colour of ihe skin and legs of yellow-skinned hens, so that if towards the middle or end of season a yellow-legged ben still lias bright yellow legs it is a fairly sure indication that she is a poor producer. If a back-yarder is ever at a loose end he can always take the spade and dig over the runs; the liens will appreciate it, following him up and looking for the worms and other unconsidered trifles that “turn up.” Constant turning over of the soil in small vanls is the only sure method of keeping the birds in good health. Lack of occupation is the most frequent cause of vices such as featherpulling and egg-eating appearing among Hie birds. Keep them busy hunting for their food. When keeping poultry on the intensive system remember the importance of fresh air, both by day and night, so j see that the houses arc properly ventilated. Three to four square feet of floor space should he allowed to each bird.