REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 



231 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The following illustration shows the interior arrangement of one of the compart- 

 ments an outside view of which is given above. 



it* 





immmmM 



Showing cotton frame in front of roosting place, held partly open ; also 

 showing roosts, dropping board and nests. 



The inside plans of both patterns of house are very similar, the greatest differ- 

 ence being in the arrangement of the cotton, used as a means of securing ventilation 

 by diffusion of air, rather than by draught. In the first style of house the whole 

 front is cotton; in the second the cotton is placed above and below the windows. 



FOURTH WRONG IMPRESSION, AND COMMENT THEREON. 



That little or no change in the composition of rations is necessary during the 

 winter season. 



Comment. — This is, unfortunately, a very common error among poultry keepers. 

 In previous reports of this Division the necessity of variety in rations, and of moderate 

 exercise, especially during the winter period of close confinement, has been 

 forcibly pointed out. Experience has emphasized the need of these for the following 

 reasons : — 



1. As a means of keeping the birds in good health. 



2. As an incentive to egg production. 



3. As a preventive of feather-picking and egg-eating. 



4. As likely to strengthen the germs of early spring eggs used for hatching 

 purposes. 



Fowls confined to limited quarters and fed with unvarying monotony during the 

 winter season on one or two kinds of grain only, are frequently attacked with inflam- 

 mation of the intestines. Perhaps there is no ailment more frequently described and 

 a remedy asked for by correspondents during the winter and early spring months. A 

 brief description of the symptoms of this ailment may be useful. The affected fowl, 

 apparently in good health a short time before, is noticed lying on its side, unable to 

 vise its legs, which are stretched out. There is spasmodic flapping of the wings. The 

 bird has an anxious and distressed appearance. It has high fever and, frequently, 

 diarrhoea. From this disease, many recover. An effective remedy is a change of food 

 and locality. The diet of all the remaining fowls should also be at once changed. 



