ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 15

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

! . (By Chanteclcr.)

" Ohickea " (Seatoun). —Communicate with Mr. W. Jessen, 9, Jessee Street, Wellington. He is the circle's agent, and will givo you all information. " L.R." (Lower Hutt).—Your fowls havo a severe cold that will soon develop into seiious complications unless you givo prompt treatment. It is difficult to givo the causo. Unless introduced from other poultry it is tho result of drafty house/ wet runs, or uncleanliness. Seo reply to next inquiry. "Interested" (Johnsonville). — Your fowls are affected with what may bo tormect catarrahl blindness. I have seen several instances of it this seaeon, and we must try and keep it down, or it will prove an epidemio. The symptoms you givo are identical with-those indicated by other correspondents. Tho complaint begins with an inflammation of tho eyelids. Thoy soon show signs of running. It causes much trouble to the bird, as it smears the feathers and spreads tho germs. To treat, promptly isolate the bird. Use a solution of water and one or two pe.- cent, of permanganate of potash, or equal parts of, peroxide of hydrogen and water.' . Press the nostrils with thumb and'finger two or three times. The massage loosens tho discharge. Place the bird's head in. ithe -solution for half a minute, which will cause the lotion ■ to penctrato the nostrils. • Treat two or three times a day, and keep birds clean and feed on the best food. I ' was • called into a poultry farm of a man who had over fifty birds affected, and in a week 6r two * would haVe loßt tho wliole of lis flock. I recommended the above treatment; He followed it out, and now has his flock cured. " J.R." (Wellington).—l hare repeatedly given reasons for death in shell. Your omission- of green food is, in my opinion, the cause of the trouble. The eggs are light in colour, lack mineral element so that -the frame of the ohiok is weak. Try a liberal allowance of green feed daily, and you will note the change. ■ "Novice" (Wellington).—Tho ,symp- ' torn is that of liver complaint. Separate tho bird from th© others if you have <a freo run. It is an internal weakness. I should not continue to make use of the bird you mention. The Weight of Eggs. Anyone familiar with the egg market is aware of tho great variety of eggs that are offered for sale. They vary in weight from to 2soz. each. The result is that unless graded they are unsatisfactory to. the buyer. Tho Christchuroh market has established a grado for eggs. - Those averaging 20z.and over constitute A grade, and avorage a penny per.dozen more than tho B grado, which weigh any thing, froni l}oz. to 2oz. Most buyers'realise the value of;the A grade, and willingly pay the advance pricq. ,The New Zealand Utility Poultry Club, whioh has control of the egg-laying competition, have given

notice that, for nest year's test, eggs must averago 220z. to the dozen. For years the standard stood at 18oz. This was absurd, and encouraged numbers at the expense of quality. Tho Australians are ahead of us, as tlioy stipulate for 240z. to tho dozen. In an English competition tlio eggs are graded into three sizes, A, B, and C. Tho A grade eggs scale 2oz. and over. The B grade ljoz. to 20z., and are scored ten per cent, less for the prizes. The C grade averago ljoz. to ljoz., and score 25 per cent. less. These provisions encourage the laying of large eggs. Small eggs, besides being unsuit-ed For tho market, mean ■ a deterioration in stock. Government Inatruotlon. The West Coasters are awakening to the possibilities of poultry-keeping, and many breeders have received largo orders for stock and settings this season. The farmers have asked for Mr. Brown as lecturer, and at present he is on the' coast holding meetings. Farmers everywhere are asking for instructors. Could some arrangements, not be made to engage the services of some breeders during the off season? Such men as Messrs. Mumby, Davis, Hawke, Kent, and others could surely be pressed into service. The education which tlioy would give under Mr. Brown's supervision would be very valuable. The Egg Circles. The egg-circle movement is growing. Several circles report a big increase in membership. The Canterbury Egg Cirole is'_expanding rapidly. A large increase is expected there as the result of a united effort in the export trade to Vancouver. The shipment, which loaves Auckland to-day, consists of 10,000 dozen.