286 Journal of thk Dkpaktmknt of Agkicultuke. — Sept., 1922. 



THE POULTRY YARD MONTH BY MONTH. 



September. 



By J. J. JoRDAAN, Lecturer and Instructor in Poultry, School of Agriculture, 

 Glen, Orange Free State. 



Cliickens. — Chickens must be watched closely and kept comfortable and 

 warm at night; take care that they do not sleep in cold or damp quarters or 

 roup is sure to result. Weariness must not be allowed to overcome one in 

 giving them their regular and constant feeding. Continue separating cockerels 

 and pullets and also culling. In culling, go over those again that appeared 

 " good enough " last month. The number of brooders no doubt will want 

 increasing with the growth of the chicks. Two lots of 25 chicks will always do 

 better than one lot of 50. Examine the small chicks frequently on the head, 

 throat, and fluff, under wings, and tail for insects; these are most troublesome 

 from this month onwards. If present, rub on some ordinary fat. As the willow 

 trees are now in leaf, the leaves may ))e given to the chicks as green food; they 

 should be finely chopped before being Fed. 



Showing.- — Birds intended for exhi})itiou should be rung at once if this has 

 not already been done. The most likely looking birds should be separated and 

 given special attention; it is from now on that the winner is made, and not 

 during the two weeks liefore the show. As a rough outline of immediate atten- 

 tioji required — 



heavy breeds will want bone-forming foods; 



tight-feathered breeds need hard grain and pea and beau meal in the 

 mash, wliich is best given (Jry; 



iuose-featliered and fluffy birds want plenty of slightly moist mash, with 

 a small (luantitv of sulphur, linseed meal, and ground sunflower 

 added. 



Incubation. — This is the last of tlie good months for incubation, so if the 

 number of chicks hatched is not the number desired, set all eggs possible that 

 pass the test as good enough for incubation. 



General. — Great and sudden clianges may now be exi^ected in both weather 

 and temperature, therefore be on the alert and prepared for such changes. 



Adult birds will be inclined to lay on fat; keep them down in condition 

 with a fortnightly dose of epsom salts in their drinking water, just to taste, 

 and by digging the grain into the ground. Fresh drinking water should be 

 given twice a day and kept shaded. From now on to March, dip all fowls 

 monthly for insects_, and spray all nests, houses, and brooders with one of the 

 commercial carbolic dips. Insects must be fought; an ovinaphthal egg kept in 

 the nest, or a little of the following powder sprinkled in the nest fortnightly, 

 will do much in this direction: — 1 part naphthaline (flaked), 20 parts sulphur. 



NOTE FROM THE CEDRA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE. 



Pullels for Aiiiunin Laning. — In Natal pullets required for autumn laying 

 should now be hatched ; this refers more particularly to light or non-setting 

 breeds, such as Utility Leghorns, Anconas, etc. If hatched earlier they will 

 go into moult with the adult stock in January and February. For this class 

 of stock the dry mash system of feeding is strongly recommended, and it will 

 he found that practically no cases of diarrhoea occur when moistened meals or 

 " wet mash " is withheld. 



