POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21989, 13 January 1937, Page 4

POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

CONSTITUTIONAL VIGOUR fßy "LEGHORN." I The present period of the year is realy a testing time for the laying flock. All hens have, or should have, been in steady production for "the last four months, and those birds which lack constitution will be starting to j decline in condition, and will cease to lay. There may be other factors caus- ! ing the fall in production. It is, of course, natural for a bird to take a spell occasionally, but if the reduction in egg production is very marked there must be some-cause for it. During the last few days I have heard many poultry-keepers complain that their birds seem off colour. Some of these poultry keepers have blamed the weather; others again have blamed poor quality pollard and wheat. It is freely admitted that these two factors can, and will, have some effect on production, but I think that the principal reason for the trouble is that in very many cases the birds are lacking that constitutional vigour which is inseparable from success in poultry-keeping. Culling Recommended Four months' continuous laying places a great ( strain on the flock, and any weakness in constitution will make itself felt now. In the spring there is an abundance of green feed available, but as the hot weather comes the supply diminishes, so that freauently just when the birds require an abundant supply they do not get it. This applies to the growing stock just as much as to the laying flock. As sound advice, I would recommend almost ruthless culling of all birds which have become light in condition and ceased to lay. In the years ahead it will be found that the poultry keepers who have maintained vigour by culling all the weaklings will come out on top. To keep birds which are in poor physical condition is indeed courting disaster. There are three reasons why such birds should be culled:— (1) They are unprofitable. (2) By keeping them there is always a chance of their getting into the breeding pen. (3) Probabb- most important of all, such birds are susceptible to all kinds I propose to deal briefly with these reasons I have advanced for the culling of weaklings. A poor-conditioned bird which is out of production is a liability, not an asset. Such a bird consumes a lot of food, occupies her share of the shed accommodation, and her retention in the flock i- lowering the returns of the other bird' which are themselves profitable. If: you had a flock of birds whicu were all in pool condition and out of production, you would speedily decide to dispose of them, but because only a proportion of the birds come into this category they are frequently allowed to remain, so that the general flock production average is lowered. Remember that.a bird in low condition is not likely to come into production for several months because the moulting season is close at hand and these i birds will probably be the first to cast their feathers. Remember also that an early moulter is usually a long moulter, which is an added reason why such birds be disposed of. As to the second reason I have advanced the danger of culls finding their way into the breeding pen is very real indeed. This danger is particularly real where a poultry keeper is endeavouring to increase the size of his flock. When the breeding season arrives, and breeding eggs are in demand, it is only natural that one is tempted to use all the hens for breeding. Such a course will have disastrous, results in the long run.--My advice is, remove the temptation of breeding from inferior birds before the breeding season arrives.

Danger of Disease Finally there is the susceptibility of weaklings to disease. In almost every country i.i the world prominence is being given to the alarming' increase in poultr" diseases. Fortunately New Zealand, and the South Island in particular, ha" escaped most of the diseases which are causing havoc with flocks in othe: parts of the world. It is, indeed, a fallacy .to be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that we, will always be immune from the poultry ailments which exist in. nearly every other country. Do not under-estimate the danger of disease. If disease comes to New Zealand—and without being an alarmist I think it will—those poultry keepers who have not maintained constitutional vigour in their birds will be the first to suffer. Weak birds are indeed a menace to' the industr to-day. \."

Much us heard about improViftKjßliP keting conditions for poultryajygSJßt and though I agree that in marketing are desirable, Igffip*lieve that the most presanffTM'BPportant matter keepers to-day is not marketUjKJ*; forms bu' breeding from and-prow L.s» birds which will be able "to stand any disease which mayappgr here. All the marketing reforms tag wdrld will be useless if the "M o ** is ruined by disease. If any pouug keeper is in doubt about the binuw be culled or the type of bird WMP B used in th breeding pen, the Gownment poultry instructor shouJg/Be communicated with. A lettersew-to that officer caro of the Department o. Agriculture will be sufficient'«. - As a golden rule for 1937, let m suggest "Keep only the best, breal ' from only the best, and rear only tne best.!' m