Incubation

TH E artificial incubation of eggs is not a recent innovation. For many centuries, some species of birds—our mallee-hen being a typical example—have hatched out their eggs by the heat generated in mounds of decaying vegetation.Furthermore, they have shown considerable skill in maintaining the mounds at uniform temperatures throughout the hatching period. A number of reptiles employ similar methods to hatch their eggs, although in these instances there does not seem to be the same need for carefully-controlled temperature

Chronic respiratory disease of poultry in Western Australia

Widespread chronic respiratory disease was revealed in a survey of respiratory infections in Perth metropolitan area poultry flocks. Most occur in early or midsummer and cause a serious fall in egg production. Return to full lay after the infection is usually slow. While these infections can cause production losses in flocks which are under heavy stress, none of the more serious forms of chronic respiratory disease was found. This gives encouragement for future control of the disease in Western Australia

Caponising cockerels

Because of its tenderness, succulence and delicate flavour, the flesh of the capon has long been held in high regard by epicures in many lands. Over three centuries have passed since Shakespeare wrote of the portly justice whose fair round belly was with fat capon lined, but throughout the years capons have usually commanded high prices from discriminating consumers of table poultry

Household poultry-keeping - (continued)

Common ailments of domestic poultry. It is not proposed to deal fully with the diseases of poultry in this article, as complete information on the various diseases is available in pamphlet form free on application to the Department of Agriculture. However, a brief outline of the more common ailments of the domestic fowl is given. Poultry pests Of the external poultry parasites, probably the most devastating are the poultry red mite and the fowl tick. Both these parasites are of the blood-sucking type, hiding by day in cracks and crevices in the shed and emerging at night to gorge themselves with blood from the unfortunate bird. Culling the passengers Whether it be large-scale commercial poultry-farming or in the small backyard flock, it obviously does not pay to keep unproductive birds. The commercial poultry-farmer who is consistently receiving less from sale of eggs and birds than he is paying for poultry-feed, labour and other outlay, can hardly be expected to stay in business indefinitely. In the case of the backyard poultry keeper, while net loss may not be sufficient to cause any serious financial embarrassment, the continued feeding of birds which fail to pay their way is obviously unsatisfactory

Household poultry-keeping - How to get the best results from the backyard flock

The widespread popularity of backyard poultry-keeping in Western Australia probably stems from our long-established tendency towards spacious living. Many of our suburban building blocks are approximately a quarter of an acre in extent so that the average householder has ample space to accommodate a few hens

Selecting and preparing table poultry

The two main classes of poultry used for table purposes in Western Australia are roasting fowls, which are usually young cockerels or capons and boiling fowls, which are mainly hens that have passed their most productive laying periods. The distinction is not an arbitrary one, as the so-called boiling fowls—if cooked slowly— can be roasted quite successfully and are preferred by many people. In addition to the two main classes, there is a growing demand for younger, smaller birds for frying and for barbecue meals

Heat transfer in turbocharger turbines under steady, pulsating and transient conditions

National audienc

Health behaviour modelling for prenatal diagnosis in Australia: a geodemographic framework for health service utilisation and policy development

BACKGROUND: Despite the wide availability of prenatal screening and diagnosis, a number of studies have reported no decrease in the rate of babies born with Down syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate the geodemographic characteristics of women who have prenatal diagnosis in Victoria, Australia, by applying a novel consumer behaviour modelling technique in the analysis of health data. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of data on all prenatal diagnostic tests, births (1998 and 2002) and births of babies with Down syndrome (1998 to 2002) was undertaken using a Geographic Information System and socioeconomic lifestyle segmentation classifications. RESULTS: Most metropolitan women in Victoria have average or above State average levels of uptake of prenatal diagnosis. Inner city women residing in high socioeconomic lifestyle segments who have high rates of prenatal diagnosis spend 20% more on specialist physician's fees when compared to those whose rates are average. Rates of prenatal diagnosis are generally low amongst women in rural Victoria, with the lowest rates observed in farming districts. Reasons for this are likely to be a combination of lack of access to services (remoteness) and individual opportunity (lack of transportation, low levels of support and income). However, there are additional reasons for low uptake rates in farming areas that could not be explained by the behaviour modelling. These may relate to women's attitudes and choices. CONCLUSION: A lack of statewide geodemographic consistency in uptake of prenatal diagnosis implies that there is a need to target health professionals and pregnant women in specific areas to ensure there is increased equity of access to services and that all pregnant women can make informed choices that are best for them. Equally as important is appropriate health service provision for families of children with Down syndrome. Our findings show that these potential interventions are particularly relevant in rural areas. Classifying data to lifestyle segments allowed for practical comparisons of the geodemographic characteristics of women having prenatal diagnosis in Australia at a population level. This methodology may in future be a feasible and cost-effective tool for service planners and policy developers