POULTRY KEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4633, 3 December 1923, Page 4

POULTRY KEEPING.

LATE-HATCHED/ STOCK. (By F. C. Brown, Chief Poultry Expert). It is now too late to put down sittings of hen egg s with much prospect of the young birds ever developing into 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 beinghatched on the late side is all against its attaining a desired size and healthy development. Thus latehatched chickens should be managed to the very best advantage. Of course, such Sjtock, however well they may do, will catch only the tail-end ofi 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 nonpayable stock. Every care should be given the young birds in the matter Of liberal, shady .shelter from adverse weather conditions (especially wind), together with an abundant supply of succulent green stuff. 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 quar,ter,s become overrun with these enemies of the fowls before adopting preventive methods. The wise poultryman never allows them to make their appearance. He realises 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 it the quarters ate free from vermin. The usual reply is “Only a few.’’ Generally, however,, on making a search for the so-called few they are foiind in immense numbers. Cleanliness isi 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 shmld 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 bouse, and after the tar is dry, it should foe given, a good spraying of whitewash. Only afcer 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. F ar from it. The house .should be kept clean at all times by never allowing, manure, dirt,- ij aceumutale. Care also should be taken that the nesting material is frequently changed.