THE POULTRY RUN.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 96, 22 August 1918, Page 4

THE POULTRY RUN.

PJ&TM PQJILTRX KEEPI^

Tie beginner will be well advised tj| [earn something about his subject b&v [ore starting operations. This is absolutely necessary, since poultry keep-t [ng is a business, and requires learns log as much as anything else that is,' jte| be taken up as one's livelihood* Sometimes the necessary knowledge been acquired; in this case, of bourse, success is not thereby assured, a$ failure very frequently can he traced entirely to the method of starting.; ft is inadvisable even for the most experienced to start on a gigantic scale jjjjiless special circumstances warrant it. -

JTlie most successful man In the end ijij usually he who starts in a small jway and gradually extends, since during the initial stages he is becoming familiar with the poultry keeper's ■many and varied duties; and, if he is providential, he should at the same lime, he getting together his customers for future trade. Without this 'connection, all else will he in vain. It must also be the beginner’s object ultimately to obtain a regular supply in “[whatever commodity he is specialising. Whether the outlet is the open market, the shop, or private customer, Whether the trade is direct to consumer or through the medium of middleman, the same thing applies. The supply must be regular in order to igain the confidence of the large buyer.

Although everything may appear to he clean in’ the poultry house, it may not bo so in reality, and it may he necessary do make it really clean hy disinfection. To do this It is necessary to spray or thoroughly wash (with a scrub-brush wet in the solution used) all parts of the house with a good dis■lnfecitant at least twice, allowing time between for it to dry. For this purpose 3 per cent, cresol , solution is recommended. The chief thing is to use an effective disinfectant and plenty of it, and apply it at least twice. To complete the cleaning of the house after the second spraying of disinfectant apply a liquid lice-lciller (made by putting 1 part crude, carbolic acid or cresol with 3 parts kerosene) liberally to nests, perches, and walls. After all this is done, the house will be clean. In houses cleaned annually in this way the first step is taken towards hygienic poultry keeping. The same principles which have been here brought out should he applied in cleaning brooders, brooderhouse, and other things on the farm with which' birds come in contact. [What has been said has reference primarily to the annual or semi-an-nual cleaning. It should not he Understood by this that no cleaning is to he done at any other [time. On the contrary, the rule should be to keep the poultry house clean at all times, never allowing filth of anji l kind to accumulate, and using plenty disinfectant. THE LOSS IN STERILE EGGS. [When eggs are being produced fo* edible purposes it does not really matter whether they possess a germ ori [not. As a matter of fact, they are gather better if they are sterile. When ■they for hatching purposes, however, it is imperative that they shall contain a germ, for if ‘hey are infertile—that is, if the germ of life is not present—-they are quite valueless. Not only must g,n egg for hatching be fertile, but the germ must be strong and wirile, since otherwise the embryo will probably die during the stages of incubation, or else it will produce a Chicken so weak and delicate that the .greatest difficulty is experienced in rearing it t|o maturity. • The poultrykeeper therefore has to consider not only how to secure fertile eggs, but jihow to ensure strong and vigorous [chickens. ,1 The loss which arises .every season owing to eggs required [for hatching falling to contain a (germ is Very considerable indeed. As 1 a rule, complaints are rather more' numerous early in the breeding season, that is during the winter months. This is all the more serious since eggs jare so scarce, and consequently of so much greater value than they are [during the spring and summer.. NOTES FOR THE NOTICE. ' The best way of gettng fowls [through the hot weather is to damp a soft patch of ground with water and rig up a shade over it. The [birds will scratch holes in the damp earth and lie in- them, also where they can hack up behind shelter .from the wind they will get on better. Wind is destructive to fowls, as it quickly puts them off their food and Out qf sorts generally.

Overcrowding 1 is one of the worst svils in the poultry yard. Why ? Because [he soil quickly becomes contaminated with the droppings, the limited space prevents the birds from getting pecessary exercise, there is too much heat in the roosting shed at night, tyhich causes colds; the food is trampled under foot in the rush—which may set up diarrhoea in hot weather — while some birds ' get too much of it; and others too little. What is the good of overcrowding, anyhow ?