POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXIV, Issue 1, 20 January 1922, Page 52

POULTRY-KEEPING.

F. C. BROWN,

Chief' Poultry Instructor.

Careful management of the growing pullets under the most favourable conditions possible should be the chief concern of the poultry-keeper at the present time.. Remember that the treatment they receive now will have an important influence on their future laying-capacity. The great importance of thoroughly clean quarters and clean runs cannot be too strongly emphasized. One has only to compare chickens being reared in a run which has been well rested and which is fresh and clean, with those in stale quarters and tainted runs, to realize the great importance of clean ground for the growing bird. I have always favoured alternate runs to a poultry-house, in order that the birds may have frequent changes on to clean ground, and a longer experience in utility-poultry keeping emphasizes the importance .of this practice. On all plants an endeavour should be made to turn over and work up the soil so as to expose it to the influence of the atmosphere for some months, and to lime it well before seeding. Some poultrymen grow in the alternate runs rape or Thousand-headed kale. This is an excellent idea. These plants grow very rapidly and are much appreciated by birds of all ages. Within a few weeks sufficient growth is made to provide good shelter and shade for the young birds, while in addition they have ample room to exercise in securing the young leaves, of which they are very fond. Do not think because there is long grass in the runs that this is good enough for the growing chicken, or, indeed, any class of poultry." As a general rule any grass that may be in a run at this season of the year is rank, and contains too much fibrous material to be of any real value as . a green food. There is a great variety of plants suitable for green-feeding purposes, among which may be mentioned finely chaffed lucerne, clover, green oats, or watercress, while cabbages, silver-beet, mangolds, &c., may also be used to advantage. No care and attention is too good for the pullets that are expected to produce a heavy yield of eggs next winter. Above all things, they require good sound food, grit, and clean water. . When the birds show any sign of prematurity rich foods such as meat, milk, &c., should be eliminated from the ration.

With a view to retarding early laying, which is undesirable until the birds have reached an age of at least six months, crushed sound plump oats may with advantage be their chief diet; Beware of inferior-quality oats, which consist very largely of husks having no food value. Boiled wheat or barley makes a splendid change for growing stock. It should, however, be • well boiled, as it is then relished by the birds to a greater extent than, when only half-cooked.

The successful rearing of chickens depends on attention to numerous details, among which may be mentioned the provision of clean, well-ventilated houses which are free from draught and from insect pests. This, together with liberal feeding, ample room for exercise, and a keen eye for cleanliness,' is a matter that should be always kept in mind if healthy development is to be attained.

INTESTINAL WORMS.

Referring again to the necessity of clean ground for the successful rearing of young stock, it may be mentioned that many cases of mortality and poor growth in young stock which have recently come under my notice are due entirely to the presence of intestinal worms. In each case, on making an investigation on the spot, the cause was made apparent—-the runs were found to be in an absolutely poultry-sick condition. In other words, they provided an ideal breeding-ground for practically all kinds of internal parasites which affect poultry. It is safe to say that thousands of birds six weeks old and onward are lost annually from no other cause, to say nothing of the reduced eggyield and the unthrifty condition of flocks so often caused by these enemies of the fowl. .

Like most of the inquiries received, those in regard to worms usually ask for the best cure, but seldom seek for methods of prevention. There are certainly effective cures, but even with the best of these the cure will only prove temporary if the cause is not first removed. Prevention is the great essential. If, therefore, worms' commence to give trouble, the soil should be turned over, well limed, sown down with grass, rape, kale, oats, &c., and given a rest. Never allow birds

of any age to scratch in the tip where droppings, litter, &c., from the fowlhouse have been deposited, as this is a great source of danger both in regard to disease, and internal-parasite infection. A common indication of the presence of worms is that the birds stretch their necks and make, a sort of screeching noise, both by day and night, while they usually have an unkempt appearance. Where birds are badly affected with worms these will be readily found by opening and following the digestive tract with a small penknife. For treatment, first starve the flock for a day and then give them a dose of Epsom salts (about i oz. packet to every twelve birds) dissolved in the water with which the mash is mixed, adding also to the mash, some sulphur (about the same quantity as of salts), and pure spirit of turpentine (a teaspoonful for every five birds), the whole to be thoroughly mixed with the mash ingredients before these are moistened. The effect of this diet given after a fast will be to expel the worms. Keep the birds confined in the house during the time of treatment, and afterwards thoroughly clean up and disinfect the quarters to lessen the risk of reinfection. This treatment should, be repeated after a week’s time ; but, as before mentioned, if a recurrence is to be prevented the runs should be dug up, limed, and sown down.

THE BREEDING COCKERELS.

Many poultry-keepers, after selecting the most promising cockerels for future breeding purposes, place them in small coops or confined quarters. This is a mistake, as such conditions do not tend towards promoting vigorous and healthy growth. Confinement is necessary in fattening cockerels, but it is most undesirable in the case of those it is intended to breed from, it having the effect of overforcing the birds, a common cause of leg-weakness and other troubles such as falling combs, &c. In the building-up or maintenance of a heavy-laying strain the question of stamina in the male is of supreme importance. I therefore cannot suggest a better way of promoting this than by giving the growing bird a good range under the most natural conditions possible. Of course, this should go hand-in-hand with good breeding, housing, and general efficient management.