Feeding, Rearing, and Management of Chickens. 
57 
is a great tendency to overheat the chicks, so that wlien tliey emerge they become cliilled, and 
bronchitis, congestion, and inflammation of the kmgs supervene. Keep them well graded according to 
sizes, in boxes — about 20 in each, on flannel,"with a piece loosely hung over them. They will do well, 
and never sweat. When a fortnight or three weeks old let them stand on dry grass or straw, and if the 
weather is cold throw a piece of the blanket over them ; if mild, place a wire screen over them, in case 
they jump out and get chilled. At a month to six weeks old put them out in the chicken coops, 
allowing ample straw, or dry grass, or seaweed. I find old blankets and tweed suits cut up very handy, 
although, perhaps, not highly ornamental. If effect is aimed at liave all the boxes enamelled pale blue, 
and use thick, porous, scarlet flannel, of a quality that will stand washing. There is no doubt, if funds 
admit, it is more convenient and satisfactory to have everything, including houses, etc., as natty as 
possible. Chicks should always be kept in mobs of about 50, not more, and all of one size. Little and 
big together must end in disaster, and the down-trodden chick does not thrive. There is an ingenious 
way of feeding difTerent-sized chickens, however, by having feeding-enclosures made of different-sized 
meshes of wire netting, the centre enclosure admitting only the small ones, the next size the larger 
chicks, and so on, while the oldest and largest are fed outside. These are best made circular, stiflfened 
with wire, and when the season is over they can be rolled up in a small space. As soon as the cockerels 
get their tails they should be put in runs by themselves ; they grow much better, and do not fight if 
separated from the pullets." 
For the following notes on the prevention of vermin in the managemeiit of Poultry we are indebted 
to Mr. James Hadlington, Manager of the Grantham Poultry Farm, Plumpton, Rooty Hill, N.S.W. 
Mr. Hadlington writes : " Undoubtedly one of the greatest drawbacks to Poultry raising in a warm 
climate like ours are the pests commonly termed hen lice, and which are responsible for a large per- 
centage of the failures in Poultry keeping. It is quite obvious that fowls infested with these pests 
cannot be profitable or a pleasure to their owners ; at the same time they can be eiTectuall}' prevented, 
providing proper precautions are taken at the outset, but if once allowed to establish themselves in the 
house every crack and crevice will quickly become the breeding grounds of myriads. Then nothing 
but the most constant efforts on the part of the attendant will eradicate them. The following is the 
method I adopt for the prevention of these and other pests, at the same time keeping the house sweet 
and wholesome. Thrice during the summer months and twice during the winter all house nests, etc., 
occupied by the fowls are sprayed out with hot lime-wash, to which has been added a little carbolic 
acid, in the proportion of a tablespoonful of acid to each four gallons of wash, and once a week during 
summer, and every alternate week during winter the roosts, nests, and on the floor under the 
roosts are sprayed with kerosene emulsion, made as follows. Into two gallons of boiling water 
place i lb. of soft soap, take off the fire when the soap is fully dissolved, and add one 
gallon of kerosene ; stir briskly for ten minutes, when it will be found the mixture is about 
the consistency of cream ; then add a little carbolic acid, and dilute the whole with fifteen 
gallons of water. Another very effective spray is made by boiling i lb. of tobacco stems in two 
gallons of water for a few minutes, but this is not equal as a disinfectant to the kerosene emulsion. I 
use a Martin's Knapsack Spraying Machine for syringing the houses, etc., and I find it far more 
economical than the ordinary garden syringe, as the latter wastes a great deal of the liquid. The above 
remedies I have proved to be a certain preventive against all kinds of insect pests which attack Poultry ; 
but when houses are allowed to become infested with the pests it must always be borne in mind that 
not only have the matured insects to be eradicated, but the eggs laid by them will develop later, and 
which at the time would not be affected by the spray. These hatch out about 24 hours after being 
laid, so that to /'/;'>;-07/^/z/>' eradicate the nuisance it is compulsory to continue the spraying daily for 
three or four days in succession. Where houses are so constructed that every crack cannot be reached 
by the spray, and in which it is suspected vermin are lodged, they should be fumigated with carbolic 
acid burnt in the house, care being taken to close up all openings, and the operator should also be very 
