POULTRY KEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5048, 5 November 1926, Page 3

POULTRY KEEPING.

MANAGEMENT POINTS.

(By A. C. Brown, in the Journal of Agriculture,)

With the present high cost of foodstuffs the poultry-keeper cannot afford to neglect any detail in regard to the feeding and general management of the flock. He should not try to rear weakly chickens ; it never, pays to rear birds lacking in vigour. With the approach of hot weather, motre than at any other time, constant warfare must be made; against vermin. Dp not think thati because vermin cannot be seen in the house during the day they are not theire. Some fo the most dangerous parasitic pests of the fowl work at night and hide themselves during the day. The wise poultry-keeper never waits for vermin to appear. He realises that prevention is better than curie, and sees that .the quarters are maintained in a; thorough sanitary state, and that every crack and chevice; is, frequently sprayed with a strong disinfectant.

The red mite (one of the wolrst enemies of the fowl) usually first makes, its appearances surrounding the perches. It hides under the latter during the day, and attacks the birds at night by blood-sucking. Fdr this reason the perches should be arranged in such a way that they are easily removable, so that every part can be got at by some verminextefiminator. A' good mixture this purpose is equal, parts of kerosene and raw linseed oil. The; mixture should be applied frequently with a brush or a cloth. Perches should be arranged in such a way that they, or the feathers of the birds, do not touch the walls of the house. They should be fixed, in gas pipes or suspended by wires well, away 'from the walls. In this way, if .there are vermin in the walls of the house, they will be pre,vented to a great extent from getting on to the birds when roosting. Profits will be reduced by not placing in the broody-coop birds showing the least sign of becoming broody. It should be remembered that the longer the bird is allowed to sit on the nest the longer will it .take her to lose the sitting desire and resume egglaying. It is important in summer time that fowls and ducks of all. ages be provided .with plenty of shade from hot sun.

Much will be lost, but nothing will be gained, by not having a system df toe-marking as a means of ascertaining the different ages and strains of birds when the next season for culling and mating of stock comes round. Neglect to have a distinguishing mark as an indication of age-determination is responsible for many a good young hqn being culled, out and old birds retained on the plant. A punch suitable for marking chickens can be obtained at a cost of 2s.

Separate the sexes as early as possible, and market all surplus cockerels when they attain an age of four and a half to five months old. If tne mo'st money is to be; made out of a cockerel it must be marketed before it commences to produce its adult feathers., Another advantage in 'marketing cockerels at an early age is that motfe space i.s available for the growing pullets.

Do not on 'a;ny account neglect the growing pullets, or the cockerels intended for future breeding purposes. Wherever possible they should be placed on clean, fresh ground, and fed and managed to the best advantages. It must be. borne in mind that the treatment a bird receives during the growing stage has an important influence .throughout its life.