POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 113, 11 April 1940, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES

(By

“Brooder.”)

The provision ol an apartment or box tor the accommodation ol broody birds is always made on large plants where there is usually a large number of those birds. To leave these birds to do just what they like—usually to loaf in the nest boxes, breaking and spoiling eggs—is not done by the carclul poultryman, rte has a special compartment provided lor these. Olten it is a box attached to the fowl-house. It should have a wire-netting or lathe bottom to permit of a stream of air getting underneath the bird, thus discouraging sitting. An arrangement provides an outside trough both for eating and drinking, and thus there is no fear of contamination of the food. It only needs a confinement of two or three days to euro any bird thus treated ; sho is back again in the laying pen very quickly. Without some such treatment of broody birds there is, as indicated, much loss in having these birds idle and trampling the eggs from other birds. Particularly is attention drawn to the need of the wireneeting floor of the apartment; herein is the secret of the quick cure of brood in css.

“W.E.S.” writes that a pullet has developed a type of asthma, the breathing of the bird being very difficult at times. Birds, like ourselves, are subject to colds. It is evident, now that the bird is moulting, that the trouble is deep-seated. There is certainly great weakness in the pulmonary system, which, however, may disappear once the bird is fully elothod again. Anything can be given which would relieve any human being if subject to such trouble; only in smaller doses. We would recommend also that the bird be separately boxed in some warm corner free from wind. If possible the writer will try to see the bird. Low' houses with iron roofs can be extraordinarily hot during the day and extremely cold at night. Birds are affected by such abnormal variations of temperature; the wonder is that goo health, or rather average health in many cases can be maintained. The height of a house should never be below 6 feet at the front and 5 feet at the back. Moreover, if a dropping board is used, the perches should be well above it, this to prevent the birds inhaling the bad odour. The birds should perch well above the board. If you have difficulty in removing droppings from boards, as many have, try scattering a little superphosphate under the roosts. It is better than sawdust or earth, says ono who has tried it He adds that if more of the superphosphates is added to the manure prior to storing it a remarkable physical change will occur in the course of a few weeks. The manure, if kept in. a dry place, will become friable and get into excellent condition for applying to the soil. Further, superphosphate in addition to improving the value of the manure, assists in conserving the properties of the fresh product, particularly when it is exposed to the weather.

Never mix the pullets with hens if space is available to do otherwise. Pullets should have clean, good ground, if possible. Besides, hens can be very spiteful and take it out of the pullets. Such, of course, upsets the young birds and retards laying. U should also be remembered that the liens when moulting are subject to the common ailments which birds can suffer. Those troubles, once developed, can pass to the young life and again there is consequent time lost by the vonng birds in their laying work. “Give me a clean house and fresh ground for my pullets,” savs one who knows. His experience is that pullets do best if given a fair chance to steer clear of dirt and disease.

EGG-LAYING.

MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. The following nrc the first, week's results for the tenth egg-laving contest conducted at, Massey Agricultural College, Palmerston North :— SINGLE PENS. Section A.

S. D. Morris. W.L 1 6 V. J. Billington, W.L. ... 5 G. Clark, W.L 2 5 F. P. I.ongbottom. W.L. ... 5 A. G. Mnnibv, W.L 4 5 A. J. Shailcr. W.L 1 5 B. E. Wilkinson. W.L. ... 2 5 J. A. Annan. W.L 4 G. Clark. W.L 4 S. I). Morris. W.L 2 4 B Pimm. W.L 4 Argvlc P.F.. W.L 3 IT. A. Tairas, W.L 2 3 A. J. Shailcr, W.L .... 2 3 A. G. Muniby. W.L .... 3 2 11. A. Loras. W.L .... 1 2 R. E. Boyd, W.L o A. A. Iloarc, W.L 0 A. U. Mumbv, W.L .... 1 0 2 0 B. E. Wilkinson. W.L .... 1 0 Seri ion B. E. 0. Collier. Lang 6 F. Mouglian A.O 6 Mrs R. Willcrs. A.O .... 1 6 L. Mason, R.T.R .... 1 4 2 4 .1. 1). Wealleans. A.O 4 A. A. Iloarc, R.T.R 2 W. A. Larsen, A.O .... 1 1 T. B. IToldawav. R.T.R 0 W, A. Larsen. A.O .... 2 0 K. Mullins, .R.T.R 0 P. Mi'rnmcrv. R.T.R 0 B. Pimm, A.O 0 S. Street, R.I.R .... 1 0 2 0 Mrs R. Willcrs, A.O .... 2 0 TEAMS RESULTS Section C. J. Wilson. W.T 3 6 6 6 5 7 5--38 B. E. Wilkinson, W.L. ... 4 5 6 5 5 2 3--30 \\. F. Stent, W.L 1 0 5 6 0 4 0--16 Section D. ,T. D. Wcalleans, A.O. ... 3 5 4 4 0 5 5--26 E. W, Stephenson, A.O., 0 0 0 0 5 0 5--10 W. A. Larsen, A.O 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 -9