POULTRY NOTES:

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19013, 2 August 1933, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES:

Pneumonia and Cramp. s which may.cause serious trouble to both growing and ........ i.i pneumonia, the symptoms of which are forced and hurried breathing with a certain amount of wheezing; the plumage becomes ruffled, the wings droop, and the bird has a very depressed appearance. Viscid mucus is often present in the throat and mouth. However, if the poultry house is. properly constructed and the birds do not perch in draughts th.oy should not contract pneumonia qnless they have some constitutional weakness, in which case the ax;e is the best cure, .... >

Cramp is another trouble that may make its appearance at this time of year. This cannot only be caused by exposure to damp, but also by unsuitable flooring such as cement or boards that have not a proper depth of Utter on them. Cramp as the poultrykeeper understands it takes the form of loss of power in legs and toes, the former being drawn up and the land' contracted, and sometimes turned in. In very acute cases a cure Is difficult to effect, aud unless the bird is valuable it is hardly worth- while attempting it. The most approved method of treatment is to put the legs in warm water and then massage the joints with a good embrocation, or turpentine and oil. This should be done twice a day till there .are Blgns of Improvement. Give the birds warm, dry quarters and a nice depth of dry litter to scratch in, and there should be po trouble with cramp. Getting baok to colds, the point to be remembered is that It is advisable to Inspeot the birds when on the perches at night and make certain that everything Is at it should be. Listen to the breathing of. the birds and remove any that seem “wheezy” or are running at the eyes and nostrils. Such birds should be placed in the hospital pen and given a dose of quinine (one grain for an adult bird) and their heads should be: washed In an antiseptic solution. Flock Treatment of Colds.

An effective flock treatment ot colds, according to an expert, consists of the following: Once a week give lib of Epsom salts in the drinking water of each 125 adults or 200 tq 400 young birds under five months of age. The birds should consume all the water containing the salts before any drink is given. Following tills, enough potassium permanganate should be placed in the drinking water dally to colour it a deep purple. This should be continued until the colds dsiappear. . . The following tonic in the mush while birds are recovering from colds was found effective by the New Jersey Experiment Station: lib pujverjsod gentian, ilb pulverised ginger, ilb pulverised saltpetre, ilb pulverised farrio sulphate. One tablespoonful added to eaoh 5 quarts of mush.