POULTRY DIARY 321 
the bird proving profitable. Owing to the Jewish festival taking 
place during this month there is a big demand for fat birds, and 
as prices rule high any of the unprofitable sort should be cleared 
out. 
Keep a watch on the chickens for parasitic pests, and don’t 
forget to spray your poultry-houses with a strong disinfectant. 
I have found nothing better or cheaper than a weak solution of 
sheep dip—about a pint of dip to a pailful of water. 
You will now be able to separate some of the cockerels from the 
pullets, and these should be got ready for the market as soon as 
possible. With the birds being allowed their liberty and plenty 
of insect life about less fish meal or meat meal need be added to 
their soft food. They ought to pick up about one-fifth of their 
food and a little less grain will suffice. Hens that are laying 
heavily, however, should not be stinted. There is a big demand 
_for day-old chicks during April. 
May 
Many people hatch in May, and if any accident has prevented 
you getting a full stock before this month, get your eggs down 
at once, on the principle that it is better late than never. Only 
light breeds are likely to pay if hatched during this month, but 
cross breeds may be hatched for table purposes. Very few if 
any farmers can make table poultry pay, and unless you have 
special qualifications better leave it alone. Make eggs your 
speciality. 
Many heavy breeds will now be going broody. Watch them 
closely and deal with them at once. If allowed to sit a few days 
they are difficult to break off. See that the bottom of your broody 
coop is made uncomfortable, so that sitting will become a burden 
to the birds. The bottom may either be made of wire or strips 
of wood, through which the cold air will circulate to cool their 
fevered blood. Raise the coop on bricks a few inches from the 
ground, and place it in full view of the hens that are at liberty. 
Feed sparingly, but do not starve, else the birds will take long to 
get into laying condition again. 
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