400 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



THE POULTRY YARD MONTH BY MONTH. 



I'>y J. J. JoKDAAN, Lecturer and lustiuctor in Poultry, Uleu. Orange Free State. 



July. • 



Breeding Pens. 



In the breeding pens, one lieu in the heavy and two in the light breeds may be added 

 to the number if the fertility has been good, say 80 per cent. Do not neglect the male bird 

 bui continue his special feeding and keep him in good condition by feeding him separately 

 from the hens. 



Feeding. 



Remember birds eat more in cold than in warm weather. Owing to the extreme cold, 

 nature demands a good deal from the bird, to keep up its bodily heat and energy, and also 

 to produce eggs ; this all demands abundance of good food. Green food must he fed if eggs 

 are to be forthcoming— see that they get it. 



Incubatiun. 



Incubatiou should be the order of the day, but in your eagerness for uumVjers of chicks 

 do not become careless, but remember that the quality of the birds and eggs later on will be 

 according to the care given the testing and grading of the eggs for incubation. Disinftct the 

 machine each time a hatch comes off, thoroughly wash with some disinfectant, inside and 

 out. Do not forget the drying box. Before putting in the fresh eggs also submit it to 

 the formalin treatment. (See April notes.) 



The colder the night the more reason why the incubator room and chick brooders should 

 be visited before you retire to rest. 



Chickeiix. 



Chicks four weeks old and upwards, until they are eight weeks old, should now be taken 

 off the oatmeal feeding and fed as follows (dry for preference and only moistened occasionally 

 as a change) : — 



Early inovning ma.s/i : 1 part oatmeal, 1 part mealie meal, 4 parts bran, and 6 parts 

 lucerne-hay. 



Every three hours following the mash, feed alternately : — Cracked wheat, cracked kafKr 

 corn, cracked mealies, Japanese millet. 



Grit, oyster shell, and fine charcoal should be before them constantly and green foods 

 •as often and as much as possible. 



Keeping the brooder sleeping quarters well aired during the day, by opening the lid and 

 letting the sun into 'the brooder, and keeping the floor scrupulously clean, will also ensure 

 health. 



Runs. 



The ground in the chicken runs should be sown with some fast growing plant or shrub, 

 such as rape or barley, to act as shade and windbreaks for the chicks when taken from the 

 brooders. This will be found most necessary during August and September when wind will 

 play havoc with the chicks unless they are protected. 



Disease. 



Roup and colds are most common now, especially if sleeping quarters are badly ventilated 

 or overcrowded. A piece of asafoetida and camphor, each of the. size of a walnut, tied up in 

 a rag along with a small stone, and kept in the drinking water, will ward these off to a large 

 extent. 



