POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21717, 26 February 1936, Page 5

POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

THE INTRODUCTION OP NEW BLOOD ( [By "LEGHORN."] One of the most important matters which should receive consideration during the coming month is the question of 'whether “new blood” is required for the' coming season. The purchase of stud birds ss often left until later in the season, with the result that all the best earlyhatched birds are picked over, and only those of inferior quality, or others late-hatched, are left to choose from. There are many poultry farmers who, because they have a strain ox birds which is giving good results, are afraid to introduce any new blood, ana keep on in-breeding, until some serious weakness or deterioration is apparent, when they attempt to put matters right by purchasing a number ox new male birds. It often happens that the flock has degenerated so much that such a course does not effect tne desired improvement, and then it is at once concluded that the male birds were not satisfactory, or that it is unwise to bring in new blood. These farmers overlook the fact that when a flock has become weakened in constitution as a result of faulty breeding methods a lengthy process is necessary to mend it up again—and sometimes it is impossible to do so. The poultry farmer should, therefore, be ever on the alert to find the first signs of weakness among his birds, and endeavour to mend up before it is too late. There is, of course, a certain amount of risk in bringing in new birds if they are not of the same type as the home flocks, or it they are unduly coarse, but it is infinitely better to take a risk of this rather than allow some irreparable trouble to develop. However, if proper care is exercised, there need be no danger associated with the introduction of new blood, because it can be tested out before putting it right through the flock. To do this it is necessary to purchase two or three males a couple of years before the flock is becoming very closely related, mate them to separate pens of selected hens, and mark the progeny, so that the result can be observed, and the egg production noted. This is how the careful breeder is able to keep up the quality and stamina of his birds as well as maintain satisfactory egg production. Officers of the Department of Agriculture can assist those who are in doubt about then breeding- operations by inspecting and advising what is necessary; this is done free of cost. Purchase the Bight Class of Bird Those intending to purchase birds should not be obsessed with the idea of egg production records to the exclusion of other essentials, but if tested birds, which also possess all the other desirable characteristics, can be obtained, so much the better. The best course is to visit the farms from which il is , intended to purchase, and note particularly how the young stock are thriving. If they are well-grown, robust, and healthy, well and good; but if there is any sign of unthriftiness among them, pass on. The time spent in visiting several farms will be found well worth while, and even the beginner will be able to form a good idea of which is best, by such a comparison. An endeavour should be made to secure birds from selected matings rather than those from the ordinary flocks, even though a higher price has to be paid. Some depend for new blood upon stock reared from day-old chicks, which have been purchased with that object in view, but unless chickens from special matings have been secured, this practice is not the way to improvement. Organisation Last week the executive of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation held a meeting in Christchurch. The meeting lasted for two days, and quite a variety of subjects were discussed. ► The New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation is fast becoming a powerful organisation, and, by concentrating upon some of the major problems of the industry, it can do much to improve conditions generally. The comparative absence of organisation among those persons who are interested in egg production, has been ; the principal cause of the lack of progress in the industry. The poultry ■ board appointed under the Poultry ! Runs Registration Act, has been given ■ the responsibility of organising pro- i ducers, but it is gratifying that with j the establishment of the federation progress is now being made. Last Thurs- ! day evening, despite unfavourable ] weather conditions, more than 50 poul- 5 try-keepers met to discuss and endea- ] vour to overcome some of the difficulties which at present exist. An effort ' is being made to develop organisation in country districts, and it is hoped that producers will co-operate and assist the federation in its effort to improve the condition of the industry. J Dry Housing : The wet spell of weather experi- J enced last week caught numerous poul- \ try-keepers unprepared, with the re- j suit that in some cases poultry- I houses became flooded. Act on the * experience of last week by building J up the floor, so that it is higher than „ the surrounding land. While plenty of fresh air and sunshine is necessary in the poultry-house, do not make the houses too open in the front, otherwise rain will be blown in and the scratching material will become damp and. insanitary. During the cold, damp weather an abundance of dry litter is j necessary if maximum egg production q is desired. j