The Poultry Run.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 January 1913, Page 4

The Poultry Run.

INSECT PESTS ON CHIQKMS

) There is no commoner cause of I death among young chickens than I the presence of ticks and other in • sect poets on their bodies. Very often chickens hatch out well, look strong and livoly, and thrive up to I two or three weeks, and then, without any apparent cause whatever, they suddenly droop, become ruffled in plumage, and lose appetite. Their owners" fail to account for the condition of the youngsters till some of thorn dio and are closely examined, and it is then that ticks are discovered on their bodies, more particularly about the head and the root of tho tail. In the ease of adult fowls ticks can bo easily got rid of by means of a dust bath, but the case is different with chickens, ns they becomo too weak through tli-i ravages of the pests to bo able to dislodge them. It can be readily understood that chickens cannot thrive when their vitality is being sapped out by blood sticking insects, and unless relieved of their tormentors, they will either succumb at an early age, or drag out a miserable existenco. HOW INSECTS ORIGINATE. Tho best that can be done should be done to prevent insects attacking the chickens at all. We know • that chickens are not born with insects on their bodies. Tho vermin are present either on the sitting lion, • in the nest, or about tho interior of the brooder. Putting hens to sit before they have been treated for inficct poets, using tho same sitting

nests time after time without rrv

newing the nesting materials, and putting brooders to use before their heated chambers have been thoroughly cleansed, will tond to bring about lice infested chickens. Not only should nests for sitting hens bo made of clean materials, but they should'be well dusted with sulphur or insect powder before eggs are placed in them. The liens, too. should be dusted with similar insecticides before being put to sit, and also a little time before the eggs are due to hatch ; whilst artificial rearers should have their brooding chambers cleaned, disinfected, limowashod and thoroughly dried before they aro heated up for use. NRED FOR CLEANLY CHOPS'. Another cause for insect pests on chickens is traceable to unclean coops, and coops that are too small. Many chicken rearers attend to the nants of the youngsters, but forget the requirements of the liens and the importance of sanitation in their coops. Coops should bo roomy, dry and airy, and their floors, if such eire used, should be kept free from the accumulation of excreta and other dirt. The hens, too, should be taken out of the coops at least once a fortnight and dusted under the wings and about the root« of tho nock and tail feathers with insect | powder. The operation, which entails but a short time to perform, is very inexpensive, and ensures quietude on the part of tho hens and health in their broods. HOW TO DESTROY YEfLUIN. it is a good plan to place near each coop or brooder a shallow box containing a mixture of dry line sand, ashes and yellow sulphur. Chickens, if allowed the opportunity noon learn to utilise dusting materials, and aro able to a great extent to rid themselves of insects. Should the little ones bo badly infested with ticks and other vorniin, they should have their heads and other infested parts sponged with a solution of quassia, and when dried, a little mercurial -ointment should be applied to the back of their heads. "When the chickens leave the hens or tho brooders do not think that all has been done towards keeping insects at bay, tho youngsters should be allowed dusting materials containing flowers of sulphur, and overcrowding should be avoided in the sleeping quarters. PLENTY OF ROOM NEEDED. One of the greatest mistakes any poultry-keeper can make is to overcrowd tho sleeping quarters of the fowls. Some people think that the birds will help to keep one another warm. This is it fallacy, for overcrowding meaiifi loss of ventilation, with consequent bad "results to the birds. The air should never be allowed to become vitiated. If the sleeping house is made well, with no holes to let in draughts, it will be quite warm enough for the fowls even in the coldest weather. If tho birds have plenty of room they will show their gratitude by providing their owner with a good supply of eggs. In dealing with young birds especially, the fowl-house should be sound and in repair, otherwise many deaths will be the-result of the breeder's neglect. Tt is n good rule to allow two square feet of floor space for each bird, so in n house eight feet square some thirty birds can. be comfortably accommodated.