The "How=Much=to=Feed" Problem.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 255, 25 October 1907, Page 6

The "How=Much=to=Feed" Problem.

A question which is constantly being asked by poultry-keepers, especially by those who are some new to the work, is, what quantity of food shall they supply to their hens in order to keep them in good working order, and induce them to lay the maximum number of eggst There is really no definite answer, hut the following from an English paper is interesting. This question is a most natural one, because, in the poultry press and elsewhere, the point is continually being emphasised how injurious to the health is too liberal a supply, and how fat birds not only lay fewer eggs, but a greater risk is run of their being infertile—Jailing to contain the germ of Mfc, without which they ore quite useless for incubation. Like imany other questions connected with ibis subject, it is quite impossible to answer Jt by giving stated quantity, because the amount to, -be supplied varies

according to circumstances. To give any definite figures would be most misleading, and would probably cause loss and annoyance. The quantity, in the first place, must be largely determined by the breed, as some require a larger supply than others to maintain them in good health. Mons. Lemoine, a noted l?rench poultry-keep-er, conducted, a few years ago, some very interesting experiments upon the quantity of food required to keep birds of different breeds in good condition, and 'he discovered that, while a buff Cochin needed 17oz per day, a Leghorn was able to thrive well upon a little over 4oz. (We would not believe that 17oz unless we saw that Cochin do it, and even then we should diagnose her case as one of eggrevated tape-worm trouble. A Cochin may be a glutton but she is not a boa constrictor.—Ed.) The figures may be taken as quite correct, because they were most carefully calculated, and large numbers of birds were experimented upon. Without any further comment, therefore, it will oe seen what great difference exists between the various breeds, and how misleading it would be to quote any definite quantities. The quantity depends, too, upon the time of year, as, during the spring and early summer months, the land contains a large amount of animal and vegetable food; thus less grain and meal requires to be supplied. During severe weather, or during a very dry spell, the supply must be increased, as the birds are able to procure so small a quantity for themselves. In the same manner, the quantity must be determined by the nature of the soil to which the birds have access, as some are so much, richer than others. Another important factor must be taken into consideration which, is, whether fowls have liberty or are confined in runs, as in the latter case a more liberal ration is required. When fowls are allowed a free range, with liberty to wander over arable land and pasture, they are able to procure a large quantity of food for themselves. Still another consideration is the age of the birds, as young, growing stock require more food than adult birds. There are other factors which help to decide how much, food shall be supplied, but sufficient have been mentioned to show how impossible it is to give any stated amount without knowing all the conditions under which the birds have to live. The only satisfactory method is to periodically examine tnern, and if they are too thin, increase the ration; if they are too fat, decrease it. About every six weeks or two months the examination should take place, and the birds fed accordingly. MARKING CHICKENS. Those who go in for breeding on anythink like systematic lines require to keep proper tally of the chickens from different matings and strains of the same breed. The only way to do this is by marking the chickens when hatched. The two methods of doing this most generally followed are by using rings of various materials, and by punching the feet.

In the diagram given above an example is provided of how no less than 16 different flocks of chicks may be distinguished by the aid of punch marks in the webs of the feet. Small patent punches can be bought for this purpose, or a red-hot knitting needle may be used. The latter is not a cruel method, although it may appear such at first sight. The chickens can be marked as soon after hatching as convenient, and the only precaution necessary is to sec that the punching is not too near thi> outer edge of the web, otherwise it may tear away.