POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22464, 27 July 1938, Page 8

POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

VALUE OF EGG-LAYING CONTESTS (By LEGHORN.) By an error a sub-heading in the notes published last week referred to facial eczema. This complaint fortunately does not or has not affected goultry in New Zealand, and the use of the heading was unintended. For the first time for many years, a Minister of the Crown has visited the egg-laying competition ground at Papanui. The Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister for Agriculture, spent a considerable time at Papanui on Monday last, and was deeply interested in the methods of testing as practised at the grounds. Opportunity was taken by the management committee of the competition to make representations to the Minister for the Government assuming a greater degree of responsibility in the conduct of the contest. Accommodation at-Papanui is limited to 400 birds, and after rent, rates, wages, and feeding costs are met, there is practically no margin left for maintenance or extension of the plant. The cost so far as wages, rent, etc., would not be greatly increased if the club had 1000 under test instead of 400, and the increased returns from the sale of the eggs would enable the club substantially to reduce the present scale of entry fees. It was pointed out to the Minister that the value of the test would be greatly widened if the scale of entry fees was reduced sufficiently to enable poultry-keepers to enter double the number of birds at present competing. Mr Lee Martin, in replying to the representations made, expressed the view that the Department of Agriculture appreciated the value of egglaying contests, but before the Government would agree to the representations made it would be necessary for the department to review the position of all contests and decide upon some definite policy for their control and management. Purchasing Chickens .Just as hens vary in quality, so do day-old chicks vary, but it is not so easy to classify the quality of dayold chickens as it is the hens. highly desirable that the dayold chickens be purchased from a reliable breeder. There are two deciding factors which will determine whether anyone is going to make any money on this new hatch of birds. The first is the number of good, strong chicks that can be made to live, and the other is the rate at which these chicks grow, feather, and mature. These qualities are going to be inherited in the chicks that are bought or they are not, and all know that these things cannot be seen on the surface at the time of purchase, but must be determined Irom the type of parent stock that is behind them. If the buyer has the right sort of birds, and manages them in the right way, he is going to be pleased with his profits. Strain Is Important Quick maturity and early featheringare just as important to the grower of table poultry as to the egg farmer, and every egg farmer is producing grillers as well as layers. It is as well to remember that chicks with egg breeding behind them feather earlier and therefore reach griller stage and weight faster than any other type. The strain that is bought is, therefore, very much more important than the breed. Do not wait until ready to buy and then go out and take home the cheapest chicks that can be found. Buy the best. Such chicks are going to cost a little more, but they are going to be worth much more. If they are obtained at the right time of the year, so that they will reach production in the autumn, when the best prices are being realised for eggs, it is desirable to speak in advance for the chicks and not wait until the moment to buy them up, or disappointment may result. After the purchase of chicks of quality and breeding, 'they must be given every chance to live, grow and develop. The first thing of importance is a clean brooder house, and this should be prepared and waiting well before the arrival of the chicks. This Cleaning of the brooder house is a very particular job. It must be done painstakingly and with infinite care. Too many people rear a batch of pullets to maturity in the houses and then, after the pullets are moved into their permanent laying houses, the brooding quarters are used as a junk house, or as a hospital for the sick and ailing birds that must be removed from the laying flock. Then, without particular care, the house is given a rough clean-out and used for the new batch of chicks. It can readily be seen that many diseases might be picked up there. The brooder house and all other rearing quarters should be thoroughly cleansed if a satisfactory job is to, be made. First, all houses must be thoroughly swept. All dust or loose particles must be swept down from ceiling, walls, and crosspieces of timber. The outside of the houses should be swept—any place that will hold refuse and droppings. After everything that can be loosened has been removed, the floor and half-way up the walls should be scrubbed with hot water and some strong disinfectant. This will penetrate the wood— If it is a board floor—and soak off most of the refuse which remained after sweeping; but if any spots still persist, they should be. removed with a hand scraper. Then rinse with more water. 'Nothing should be carried over to endanger the health of the baby chicks. Give Them a Good Start After the brooder house has become thoroughly dry, it should be well sprayed from top to bottom with a good disinfectant or whitewash. This latter disinfection will take good and ample care of the disease germs. After ihe house is again thoroughly dry, it is ready for the litter and the brooding equipment, each part of which should be well cleansed and disinfected a few days before the chicks' arrival. The brooder should be regulated so that a steady temperature may be depended upon; 90 to 95 degrees at the edge of the hover one inch from the floor is usually considered ideal. The house should not be kept too warm and should be well ventilated without floor draughts. On cold days it is always advisable to

give young chicks luke-warm water to drink. Put a good starting mixture before them. A well-built feed will not only supply the nutritional elements necessary for health and growth, but it will build resistance to disease and develop these chicks into the profitable birds that should be put into laying houses next autumn. From then on, It is a matter of regular care.