SHEEP FOR BUTTERCUPS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 443, 27 February 1909, Page 3

SHEEP FOR BUTTERCUPS.

'; How' useful sheep : are: (in cleaning ' •■'• up : weedy:paddocks may be seen in a portion of tho Fitzhorbert district; (writes our travelling correspondent).. Here a paddock which last ..year- was quite, yellow with buttercup, now, .since .sheep have: been: put on, is al-' most bare"of the weed. (Adjoining paddocks, .which'.only carry. 1 dairy stock, are full, of buttercup.: ;( ( ". "

larger space between '■ the pelvic. bones 1 than othors, oven as chickens; and others, when' matured, having the points of these bones, not more than! i inch apart; others, again, will have.them at'various widths, oven up to 2 inches. To a practical poultryman who understands feeding for condition, and who consequently is well versed,in the handling or fowlsj.the position.of these bones, when taken with' the bird's generar condition, is a tolerably, good.guide as to whether she is laying or not. lie can also determine how long it would take to put a particular bird into laying condition if necessary. When from any cause whatever the: bird is not laying, there is almost immediately a drawing together and'tightening of the skin; and a closing towards each other of the points of the pelvic bones. There is : also a corresponding' relaxation in those parts as laying approaches. As size, age,''.and breed,.,all to some extent control the structure of each bird, tha actual width between the pelvic bones cannot, by itself betaken as positively demonstrating the laying condition of any hen Speaking. generally, the bird that is fairly_ wide between. • these . bones "may be looked upon as a good layer; just as one that is_ wide deep in the fluff when viewed from the rear is likewise usually considered. Iho condition of the bird can only be ascertained by handling; and.without the knowledge of her condition as drawn from the. actual touch, no external appearance of a hen; will correctly.indicate whether she is laying, or not. '; ,

.The want of a simple method of culling out the non-layers from an' ordinarily well-bred and well-cared-for flock lias been the cause of much: annual loss to poultrymen. Trap-nests have done much towards culling ;out these drones; but these contrivances are not suitable for the practical, working 'of an ordinary farm flock. .;.'■• The periodical handling of the fowls is a much simpler, and almost .as effective a ! method; : and for general 'eggrUrming nothing;more is needed;

Every hen-house.should be built,and fitted to.permit of; the stock being easily handled at night-time. Poultry; are usually averse to .being interfered with in.any l way in;daylight, but they can be looked over at night .with, little trouble with the. aid of a lamp •' ■and 'it! is. policy to accustom them-to being so. dealt with• while .they! are '■■ chickens. ■ In this connection it is essential that their roost' ing. houses be so constructed,that they can be olosod. at Anytime; that the roosts; ;be all on the one! level,- and not more than 3 feet'from : the;ground; and that the-houses are kept;.clean: and-free from vermin; all of >which..: are ;in : accordance with, the requirements of .practical chicken raising. •-; Fowls generally.moult during-the .late summer or autumn months; and while they are growing! their fresh coat of' feathers egg-production usually ceases. Moulting occupies from six to. eight, weeks;-and,, unless,she is hatching or raising, chickens, 'a hen should be. engaged in raying .throughout the rest of the year. Many hens will take an occasional res.t for. a. week or so! after a long spell; of laying, -■ and, unless those, rests are 'prolonged to the possible detriment of the;-total egg-yield, no notice need, be taken.of' them; but.the.henthat does not do something.'towards.!payihg' for;her board during .any four consecutive .weeks— excepting .! when' she is "moulting— should be removed from the fiookj and other fed to promote laying, or bo sold for-what she will bring. On the farm, the latter course: will be.found'.the most satisfactory way «of dealing with non-layers, unles3 .the pride obtainable js below value ; as. table fowls for home'use, or : the quantity!to be disposed of .-Is ■'too■ large ! to' be • thus dealt with;' ■■ .. • !-.."•'■ !!-v' ! -- : -;.\ ; '■■ "■ '::;,.;■

•". This'systematic handling of the flock will be ..found; very; useful;in; many ways; -The presence .of vermin in tbe sheds will soon become' detected, and their destruction will allow the birds, to (thrive better., The result of any change of. feed, or tho necessity for a'change,- can also easily be ■ noted. '.Incipient' cases! of sickness-have, also better: chances' of being discovered by such inspections,.and with, prompt treatment, losses :may 'be rpreventcdr. The non-productive hens should be regularly culled from every flock. By careful observation along the, aboyo. lines-their diseasy; and with their, removal poultryrfarming .speedily; becomes more profitable.