POULTRY NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 94, 29 November 1939, Page 7

POULTRY NOTES

IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SHELL GRIT. From observations made on numerous poultry farms, it would appear that it is not sufficiently recognised that an adequate supply of suitable shell grit is essential, to maintain high egg production. In many instances the containers in the pens have only either very fine grit or a coating of excessively large shells on the top, with the result that the birds are not able to obtain their full requirements. Difficult to Obtain. Unfortunately, entirely suitable shell grit is difficult to obtain, and there appears to be a lack of knowledge as lo what constitutes satisfactory grit. Actually, the most suitable grit is that which the birds eat readily, and which, of course, contains a high percentage of calcium carbonate. The birds will not eat certain types, such, for instance, as deep blue water-worn shells and hard cockle shells, and also the large spiral kinds found on beaches.

One of the difficulties met with in obtaining supplies of shell grit is the lack of uniformity in size, and

very often a sample contains the [wo extremes —the large and the small. Naturally, a higher price lias to be paid for graded shell grit which lias been screened, and many poultry farmers prefer to take Llie mixed grits at a cheaper rate, intending to screen out ihe fine or

large portions. In most instances time does not permit of this being done, and the grit is issued to the birds as delivered. Those who are unable to grade the grit will lind it more satisfactory to pay a higher price to secure a uniform grade.

Size of Grit

The ideal size for grit is about that of the average cracked maize, and preferably it should be some-

what soft rather than very hard. The chief function of the grit is to supply material for forming the egg shell, and, therefore, the best class of grit is that most readily assimilated. It is for this reason that oyster shell grit is often introduced, and if this shell were available at a price comparable with beach shell, it would be more widely used.

In cases where the type of grit available is not reasonably uniform in size, it is advisable to issue small quantities at a time, and to replenish the supply as soon as the edible portion has been used by the birds.

Where shell grit is used in the nests, this should not be regarded as supplying the requirements of the birds, as they will not eat the grit after it has been in the nests for a short time and has become soiled. Thus it is essential to have a separate supply for this purpose.

Grinding Material. In cases where birds are housed intensively, without having access to the ground at any time, it is advisable to provide them with gravel for grinding material in the gizzard. Shell grit does not serve this pur-i pose, as it dissolves in the acids in the gizzard soon after being ingested. The gravel should be of a type similar to that found in the soil, as the birds will not cat some of the crushed types. WHY FOWLS GO LIGHT When internal parasites injure tlie cells that make up the intestinal lining, the intestines no longer have the same power to assimilate the food they contain. Instead of functioning normally they become more or less like a metal tube: Now, no food could get through the walls of a metal tube to enter the blood stream. It makes little difference how good the food you offer your birds after the assimilative powers of the intestines have been curtailed. If you inserted a metal tube in a pullet, replacing its intestines, what difference would it make whether you fed milk or sawdust?