POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 20 November 1923, Page 333

POULTRY-KEEPING.

I.ATE-HATCHED STOCK.

It is now too late to put down sittings of hen-eggs with much prospect of the young birds ever developing into really payable stock. Yet it is safe to say that in many cases poultry-keepers, and especially those who conduct the business as a side-line, have not yet commenced their hatching operations. The fact of a chicken being hatched on the late side is all against its attaining a desired size and healthy development. Thus late-hatched chickens should be managed to the very best advantage. Of course, such stock, however well they may do, will only catch the tail-end of the dear-egg season, instead of commencing their productive period, as do the early-hatched birds, at the beginning of it. If, however, they are subjected to weak methods of management they will probably not lay till next spring, and therefore will prove non-payable stock. Every care should be given the young birds in the matter of liberal feeding, shady shelter from adverse weather conditions (especially wind), together with an abundant supply of succulent greenstuff. The reason why few farmers secure winter eggs is chiefly that they hatch their chickens at the wrong period of the year.

WAR AGAINST VERMIN.

Now is the time to make special warfare against insect vermin, which with the approach of warmer weather will multiply at an alarming rate if not constantly kept in check. It is always a weak policy to wait till the quarters become overrun with these enemies of the fowls before adopting preventive methods. The wise poultryman never allows them to make their appearance. He realizes that if these are present (especially red mite) in ever such small numbers his profits must be reduced as a consequence. It is common during my visits of instruction, when called upon to advise regarding poor egg-yields and unthrifty flocks, to ask their owners if the quarters are free from vermin. The usual reply is “ Only a few.” Generally, however, on making a search for the so-called few they are found in immense numbers.

Some poultry-keepers argue that it is natural for bird-life to harbour vermin when living in a natural state, and conclude that because these thrive and do well vermin should not have an injurious effect on the domesticated bird. It is here that local conditions have to be studied. Under natural conditions birds produce but few eggs during the year, and have everything in their favour for freeing themselves of vermin and retaining strong constitutional vigour. With the domesticated hen, however, it is entirely different. A bird producing 200 or more eggs a year under artificial conditions obviously cannot be expected to produce her special yield if her life-blood is being constantly drawn from the body by parasitic life. ■ . '

It must not be concluded that because vermin cannot be seen with a casual glance they are not present. The most troublesome types are often the most difficult to discover. For example, the red mite, the most objectionable of all, seeks seclusion during the day in out-of-the-way corners till after dark, when it attacks the bird by blood-sucking. It thus escapes the observation of any but the keenest of poultrymen. Then, there is the depluming - mite, which causes constant irritation to a bird, and is the most common cause of feather-pulling. It is almost invisible to the naked eye, and, besides, hides in the plumage in a way that demands keen observation to disclose its whereabouts. Fleas also may cause no end of trouble in a poultry flock. They are most common where the plant is located on sandy soil. Like the red mite they mostly hide during the day and attack the birds by night. Their chief hiding-place is under the nesting-material.

Cleanliness is the great safeguard in keeping these enemies at bay. It is now recognized the world over that the most economical insurance against loss from vermin and disease in the management of poultry stock is that of cleanliness. At least twice yearly the quarters where poultry are kept should undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection. The first step in this direction is to remove all litter and nesting-material. Then every part of the interior should be swept down with a stiff broom. It should next be thoroughly sprayed with a strong disinfectant. It is then a good plan to tar the walls, as a means of covering up all hiding-places. Remember that there is nothing like tar for keeping parasitic life at a distance. Where fowls have to be accommodated in a house soon after tarring, pieces of sacking or something similar should be tacked up against the walls until the tar dries, so as to prevent the latter getting on the feathers. To complete the. cleaning of the house, and after the tar is dry, it should be given a good spraying of whitewash. Only after doing this can the house be said to be in a thoroughly clean condition.

It must not be inferred, however, that this half-yearly cleaning is sufficient. Far from it. The house should be kept, clean at all times by never allowing manure, dirt, &c., to • accumulate. Care also should be taken that the nestingmaterial is frequently changed.

— F. C. Brown,

Chief Poultry Instructor*