2W .lOURNAIi OP THE DEPARTMENT OF A(; 1{ H TLTURE. 



THE POULTRY YARD MONTH BY MONTH. 



Hy .1. .) . JoitDAAN, Lfctuicr ;iii<l Iiisti-uctoi in I'oultiv, (;i('ii. Otiiii^c Vn-o Sliitf 



June. 



Fi'idiiitj. 



Good ciiciiliition is essential to good healtli ; tlierefore j)rovide exercise 

 liy digging all grain food into the ground 8 to 12 inehes de(>]i. Tlivowing it into 

 ciiaff, leaves, etc.. is not severe enough. 



A good plan is to have a place dug. say, 6 feet .square for the pnipose. 



The feeding of the bleeding l)irds shoidd he of the hest and closely studied. 

 Avoid warm mashes and all forcing foods. Good, sound, hard grain is hest. 



Green food, grit, and oyster shell or lime should be pi'ovided ad lib. If gi'e^en 

 food is scarce or unobtainable, oats, barley, mealies, kaftir corn, or any other 

 availal)le grain should be sjjrouted ; the feeding values aie excellent, and green 

 lood is essential to fertility. Cabbage, lettuce, barley, mangel wurzel. oi- dry 

 lucerne hay soaked oveinight ii; warm water are all good. To .sprout grain, 

 take as much as is required for a day. put it into a grain 1)ag, tie fast and 

 place in a l)ncket of water (warm is best) until saturated, and then place in a 

 dark coiner and keep moist and covered with old bags, etc. In a week or ten 

 days, according to the weathei-, it will be fit for use. In feeding just throw the 

 tangled nia.ss of growth to the biids. they will soon shred it. 



/'>(/(/ Frodactioit. 



Laying l)ii(ls for table-egg |)r()duction must have Ntimulaling food. (See 

 last month's iu)tes and formula.) 



Jireeding I'ms. 



In the l)rtM'ding i)cn do not l>r lem[)ted into giving the male liird more Iumis 

 than will ensure strong fertility. 



Shiiiriiifj. 



The show sea.son is now at its height; be sure to atleiul at least one of the 

 leading show.s — the information to be gathered there is invaluable. If you are 

 not clear upon any point, look up the .judge and ask him; especially get him 

 to explain that class in which yon are interested or of which you are a breeder. 



It is also wise to i'xhii)it some birds of your own breeding to compare your 

 stock with those of other l)reeders. 



In sending your birds to the show see that the coop is well made, warm, 

 aiul roomy. Such a coop lasts longer, and as th(> bird is comfortable whilst 

 travelling its chances of winning are improved. 



Two or three hours before sending the l)ird away, give it a pill the size 

 of, say, a walnut, consisting of equal parts ground chalk and ginger; it will 

 then be less likely to get sick or catch cold. 



In replacing birds in the pens on their return from shows, do so at night ; 

 they are not so likely to fight. 



A little Douglas Mixture in the drinking water foi- a day or two after 

 arrival will assist greatly in getting them over the effects of the travelling 

 and showing. 



Douglas Mixture is made as follows: — 



To 1 gallon water add tJ oz. sulphuric acid. ])()mv this on h lb. sidi^hate ol 



iron. 

 AVlien the iron is dissolved and water is cool bottle and store for use. 

 The iisual do.se is one tablospoonful to each quart of drinking water. 

 Douglas ATixturc must always be given in enamel or earthenware vessels. 



<Mci\eial. 



In the coastal districts (excepting Natal) rain and cold weather may be 

 (>xpected. Scratching sheds must be provided in tliese parts. 



In inland districts the birds must be kept warm at night, but not at the 

 expen.se of ventilation. 



A few wheelbarrows full of ground or stable manure on the roof of the 

 sleeping quarters will go a long way towards adding warmth to them. 



All water ves.sels slKuild l)e emptied at night and fresh water given the 

 birds in tlie morning. Dr'inking water that has been frozen Is liable to set up 

 bowel trouble. 



