POULTRY-KEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4477, 9 October 1922, Page 4

POULTRY-KEEPING.

* - (By F. C. Brown, Chief Poultry Instructor, in the Journal of Agriculture.) The early part of October should sec the last of the hen-eggs placed in the incubators pr under broody hens. Cihckens brought put latpr than the first week in November are usually next to useless for profit-making. Now that some of the early-hatched birds are being drafted from, the brooder to the colony house I would again emphasise the importance of placing them in clean quarters and clean runs. In these days of disease and frequent lowering of the vitality and the productive pqwer of birds it is obvious that if sound development is to he attained the growing qhickens must be fed and mapaged to the best; advantage from first to last. Poultry sick soil is obviously nqt conducive to this end. It is sound economy to put a wire netting partition down the middle of a run, and l so keep the birds off one half in order that the grass or other crop being grpwn on the other portion may be given a chance to come away. If chickens are to make the best grpwth .the clean run is just as necessary as the clean house. Never forget that chickens will do better on a small) piece of clean ground than on a l.arge area of tainted soil. In the case of the latest hatched stock a special effort should be made to place them on fresh ground. Too often the late-comers have to follow stock hatched earlier in the season, and are compelled to run on stale and tainted runs. In the circumstances they seldom 01 never make satisfatcory growth. I have always favoured the alternate run to ,a poultry house, and the greater my experience of utility, poul-. try keeping the morfe I realise the portance of it. On all plants an endeavour should be made tp turn over and sow down a certain number of runs each year, so that the young stock in particular may have frequent changes on to fresh ground. Especially does this apply where the soil is of a heavy clay nature. Runs attached to brooders —in fact, all land on wlhich chickens arg. run—should be thus treated every season. Map.v breeders sow down a number of runs each year with rape for the reception of chickens after leaving the brooder. This is an excellent idea, as not only are the young birds provided witihi ail the green food they require, but in addition they can secure shelter from winds and the desired shade from the hot summer sun.

I Clean houses and runs are, hpw- ' ever, only links in the chain of mani agement. Among other important details which must be observed are sound and liberal feeding, an ample supply of green-stuff and plenty of room for exercise, and, above all, the birds must not be overcrowded. I PROFIT AND FEEDING. In view of the present declining market value of eggs compared with the prices of foodstuffs it is safe 10 say> that many flocks are showing littie profit over the cost of their keep. It is, therefore, a time when the dif-1 ference between sound and w^k 1 methods of management will be most . marked. To the man who has previ- J ously managed his business on proper lines, has rigorously culled out un- ' profitable Stock, has, only the very best two-year-old hens on hand, has j no surplus male birds, and has a: strong flock of pullets laying heavily, ] the plant should be showing a fair re-. tuqn over cost of production. In other ! words, decent wages should be secured. On the other hand, the poultryman who has resorted to weak 1 methods of management will find the (present position most trying appointing- The weakness in the latter case is too often intensified by 0 reduction in the ration, made because the anticipated profit is not coming to hand. This is a serious mistake, as if the birds are to be expected *0 lay to their fulh capacity it is obviously false economy to stint their Siet. It is well known that it is impossible to overfeed the bird of highr-lay-hig propensity with food of the right quality. An exception tp the latter statement may exist in that it is possible to overfeed before a lird comes into profit, especially where ample provision is not made for it tp exercise. At this period l of the year, however, any bird, providing it is of the desired laying type and receives com-mon-sensc treatment, should be in productive condition —a condition which demands good food, and plenty of it, for the manufacture of the egg product. Thus, if it is found that the returns do not justify giving the flock all. they can eat of good quality food, it is indicated that at least the majority of the birds are not of a laying type. In such cases the only safe course is to retain only those fowls that will show a profit. In other words, “feed better and keep fewer.” FIGHTING INSECT PESTS. In view of the approach of hot weather conditions, when insect pest?, give most trouble, it is most necessary. to keep the quarters free from these enemies of poultry. The best bird ever hatched will fail in pro-

duction'if compelled to sleep in lice infested houses. It must not be thought because vermin cannot be seen in the house that they are not there. Some of .the most dangerous parasites that infest fowls, such as the red mite, work at night and hide themselves by day. Strict attention to cleanliness and thorough spraying with strong disinfectant, especially in the corners and crevices, are the chief essentials in keeping these pests in check. Perches should also ie frequently waslhed with disinfectant or kerosene, as usually it is on these that .the red mite first makes its appearance. Flees are another form of parasite which causes no end of annoyance to fowls, especially in certain parts of the North Island. Like tihe red mite, the flea is a night marauder. Its favourite hiding place is under the nesting material. Thus if i,t is to be kept in check the latter must be frequently renewed and dusted z with insect powder. In regard to body lice, which live on the fowls at al); times, these are not so harmful as the other pests referred to, but they must be gojt rid pf if the birds are to be maintained in a healthy thriving state. Dust baths, which are nature’s remedy, should be provided to enable the birds to free themselves from these pests. When dust baths , are provided inside the house the dusting material should be frequently renewed and kept .moisv by means pf a spray of water. In the latter condition it will be better appreciated by the birds than when in a dry state. Of course, where fowls are not Confined to the Ihouse the best place for a dust bath is op the sunny side of a shrub in tihe run. Any dust bath should be frequently spaded up, as the moist eartlh will induce ths birds to dusjt themselves, especially during hot weather.