May 1, 1909 
The Poultry Yard 
Diseases of Fowls. 
G. BRAGSHAW, in tho ‘ Agricultural 
Gazette of N.S.W.’ 
—— 
(Continued from last issue.) 
— Bronchitis.— 
Bronchitis is an inflamed condition of 
the bronchial tubes, or air passages, and 
mostly occurs in connection with roup. 
Indeed, it rarely exists as a separate dis- 
ease ina fowl. There is usually a quan- 
tity of mucus in the throat, 
breathing, discharge from the nostrils, and 
at times, one or both eyes become 
inflamed; there is dulness and loss of 
appetite. There are many causes for 
this trouble. Draughty, or even too 
close houses haye been responsible for 
attacks, while foul air and filthy con- 
Prize 
fowls sent by rail to shows or private cus- 
tomers frequently develop the disease, or 
when being carted from a hot show-room 
to the railway or other destination, get 
cold, which quickly develops into bron- 
chitis, A difficulty in breathing, and 
noise or rattle in the throat, and coughing 
are sure signs of the disease. 
quick 
ditions sometimes bring it on. 
Sometimes 
the noise becomes chronic, and I have 
known instances where fowls were 
apparently healthy, with the exception of 
this noise. The simplest effective treat- 
Ment is, 2 or 3 drops of spirits of camphor 
in a teaspoonful of glycerine, two nights 
in succession, which should be followed 
with about 10 drops of sulphuric acid in 
a pint of the fowls’ drinking water. 
Should the fowls refuse to drink the ~ 
mixture, a spoonful of sugar may be 
added. In more severe cases, 2 drops of 
chlorodyne in a teaspoonful of sweet salad 
oil should be given, which usually effects 
& cure, 
—Inflammation of Bowels. — 
The bowels may be the xeat of an 
attack of inflammation, which may arise 
from exposure to cold or damp, blows or 
of landanum. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
wounds, irritant poisons, or long con- 
tinued diarrhoea. Thirst, snd a great 
heat on the under parts of the body, are 
the usual mark2d signs of tho disease. 
The patient should be given a tea- 
spoonful of castor oil along with 4 drops 
This should be followed by 
half a teaspoonful of the following mixture 
every three hours:—2 drachms of hemlock 
Juice, 12 drops of Belladonna juice, 1 
drachm of syrup of chloral hydrate, 2 
drachms of syrup of poppies, and 1 ounce 
of water. 
(Lo be continuad ) 
The Price of Eggs. 
Until the Government took the matter . 
of the export of eggs in hand there was 
always a period of low prices—so low that 
eggs were not worth gathering and 
sending to market. The first shipment 
was looked upon as a fad by most in the 
trade, and many amusing prophecies were 
made as to failure. * In spite of a few 
minor defects the shipment was a: success 
and proved that eggs could be landed in 
England as fresh as when they left Aus- 
tralia, and further that there was a better 
price to be had, * Next season three ship- 
ments were arranged for, and, as the time 
drew near, the price in Adelaide began to 
riso in an unwonted manner. This 
alarmed some of those who agreed to 
ship, and unfortunately not a few people 
regarded their bond to ship as an 
agreement to be lightly broken. Others 
from selfish motives, did not support the 
movement, as they openly stated that 
they would profit by the enchanced local 
prices. It became: necessary to cancel 
space in one of two steamers, and after 
very careful deliberation the arrangements 
were altered. The price, however, held 
strongly until the last shipmentsailed, and 
then eased, in spite of the fact that the 
withdrawal of these small parcels could 
have no effect on local prices, 
shipments proved successful. 
Last year (1908) complete arrangements 
These 
were made for several shipments of’ 
eggs, but the prices ranged higher than 
ever, and market reports were saturated 
with references to strong demand from 
well as kitchen scraps. 
37 
In the face of local 
prices, which on our previous experience 
left practically no margin, it was futile to 
attempt inducing friendly co-operation 
among the many merchants who are. 
prepared to assist, TF inally it was decided 
to purchase and ship some eggs, and 
although nothing was said on the matter 
the price went up with a jump. 
—S.A, ‘Journal of Agriculture.’ 
the other States. 
Management of Pullets Dur- 
ing Autumn and Winter. 
H. V. Hawkins, Poultry Expert.: 
CLEANING Prens.—When the cold 
nights begin to come it is time to bring 
the pullets into their winter quarters. 
They should then begin to show signs of 
maturity. Prior to penning them, clean 
up the pens thoroughly, disinfect the 
sleeping quarters, renew perches, close up 
all crevices and cracks, see that the floor 
is level, and cover 1t with sand or gravel; 
also place a board under each perch so 
that the droppings may be easily removed 
and the floor kept perfectly clean. 
Freping.—The question of feeding is 
very important. During the spring and 
summer the pullets will have had an 
abundance of green grass, seeds and insect. 
life. This being so, suitable substitutes. 
must be provided, adding to, rather than 
reducing, the quantity of animal food they 
have been accustomed to get in the shape 
of insects. If skim milk can be obtained 
at a reasonable price, or is available on 
the farm, it will be found excellent food. 
Very often one can secure green boneand 
scraps of waste meat from the markets at 
a reasonably low cost, Any of these, pro- 
vided they are fresh, may be utilised, as. 
No one should 
be guilty of feeding decayed meat to 
poultry. Good prices for fresh eggs can- 
not ‘be expected if fowls eat putrified food 
of any kind. The green food may be 
supplied in the form of chaffed lucerne, 
clover, or beets, and a little raw onion, 
boiled potatoes may occasionally be added 
to the morning ration, 
” Morning.—I am strongly of opinion 
