TO STRENGTHEN FLOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 49, 27 February 1931, Page 15

TO STRENGTHEN FLOCK.

FIVE-MONTH-OLD PULLETS. QUICKLY INTO PRODUCTION. (By ORPINGTON.) For one reason or another many poultrykeepers now find themselves with a flock which, when wasters have been weeded out and old hens in due course disposed of, will be somewhat under strength. We suggest that the best plan for such is to buy five-month-old pullets now. Pullets of this age are clear of practically every disease of growing stock, and, if they were affected by gome ailment at an earlier age, they will warn you of it by their smaller size compared with birds of the same flock. The trouble and expense of hatching and rearing are completely obviated. Five-month-old pullets are big, well grown, able to fend for themselves under all conditions and are at a period of their growth when they are just ideal to be moved, as they are least affected either in growth or egg production. Lastly and most important, they come into lay a month or so after purchasing, so that although the capital outlay is much heavier than if day-old chicks were bought in the spring, money is returned almost at once and eggs are being 'produced at a season of the year when they yield the highest profits. Certain breeds have been found by experience to be much more suitable for, .say, laying than for table. In choosing the breed or breeds before you buy, the following simple classification should be borne in mind. The best laying breeds (heavy and light breeds) are: (1) White Wyandottes; (2) White Leghorns; (3) Rhode Island Reds; (4) Light Sussex; and (5) Aucona, in that order, according to the average obtained from laying tests. Should you require eggs oiih\ with I non-broodincss, your best choice is the White Leghorn, Ancona, Black Leghorn or Brown Leghorn in that order. Egg-laying combining sitting propensities°will find your choice divided between the White Wvandotte, Rhode Island Red and Buff Rock. The Light Sussex combines good laying with table properties. . If you want pullets for breeding from for table poultry production, the Sussex (any variety), Orpington or crosses of Dorking, Houdan, Game or Faverolle are the best. Should exhibiting be your fancy, the most popular breeds are White Wyandotte, Rhode Island Reds, Sussex, Australorps, Orpingtons, Indian Game, Plymouth Rocks and Ancona. Remember that the more popular the show breed the keener the competition at shows, but the greater the sale for stock. The breeds we advise above are the very best for the purpose described, but it is possible.,to. buy, pullets of these breeds which' are -Ibsolute "duds at the frame. This; is because they are from a bad and carelessly-kept strain of that particular breed. All birds of the same breed are not'necessarily as good as one another.

Do your utmost to make your new pullets comfortable, burying the grain in deep, loose litter and keeping plenty of clean water and. shell always before them. Give them a dusting to keep parasites at bay, and don't change them about after they have become well estab* lished.