POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 26

POULTRY NOTES

“New Laid.'’)

(By

Picking the Layers. With the moulting season, ami what is, at flic same time, the culling season, now on its way, the advice contained in the following article, which was written bv Air. Bcrtelsnieier, a South Australian poultryman, will not be out of place:— Ability to ‘pick the layers’ is one of the prime essentials of successful poultry-farming. The need for that particular ability arises when one is ‘mating tip’ prepanitory to hatching operations, selecting pullets for egglaying competitions, or a general ctiJjing of the flock. Firstlv, I look for the bird with a good, smart, active appearance, moving about i/uicklv, with a sprightly walk—a bird that appears to be constantlv on the move, usually in quest of some daintv morsel of food overlooked bv her companions, or perhaps hunting insects. Such a bird is a worker, and scatters litter in a vigorous manlier. I would stress that the dull, inactive, slow-moving ami lazy hen is seldom a good layer; certainly exceptions arc occasionally met, but only in such rarity as to prove the general rule. I now go to the head, from which noint much guidance is obtainable. I look for a strong beak, not too long and nicelv curved. Hyes call for particularly close examination, as one can easily fall into error in this direction. I insist on two bold, bright eves, with good sight in each. Let me here sound a note of warning. Beware of greatly protruding eves with glassy appearance, for in such birds the sight is usually defective. The comb should be <if medium size and tine texture; wattles and ear lobes thin and smooth like a kid glove ; head long, with inclination to be lean and narrow at back, and neck fairly long.

For body points I look for width of shoulders and long back, with wings nicely clipped back, giving a slightly hollow appearance between shoulders. Tail to have a good oil valve, and lull looking—a small one denotes a dry skin. I like the pelvis bones to be fine, short, and not too far apart—the latter prevents sagging or going down at the back. Breast bone short, thin, and straight, although even a badly twisted breast bone has no influence on laying ability—all other things being equal, the bird with the latter will lay just as well as the former. Skin of fine quality, with extreme suppleness from end of breast bone to pelvis bones. Feathers require to be narrow, short ami profuse, and also lie flat on the bird, the latter is what is commonly termed “tightness of feather.” Legs fairly long, wide apart, and bavonet shaped. Shank bones covered, with fine, tight, close-fitting scales. ' Feet with toes well spread, long and thin, with nice curve on nails—be careful to avoid short, meaty toes with straight nails. The heavy cater, provided the main essentials are present, is usually a good layer, but one can be “tripped” on this test. If the birds are in toll lav, examine the crops as soon as they are roosted and select the ones with filled crops—the more tightly packed the better.- About five hours later subject the crops of the selected hens to a further test for those which have digested their food; the fastest will usually bo the heaviest layers. Then again, the following morning, before anv further food lias been supplied, apply a further test bv checking whether all •food has been digested and passed out of crop. I have known birds to have used up only about one-half of their food and fill up again quite tightly the following night. The real eating capacity of such a bird is not what it appears to’be at first sight, and one is liable to err by application of one test oniv. It will be noted that no reference is made to measurements between points. I know that there arc some who attach importance to such tests, and who will not agree witli me. I can only state that after closely testing the measurement theory over a period of years, I have satisfied myself beyond all doubt of the fallacy of’looking in that direction for any guidance in picking the layers.

The observant poultry farmer usually adopts the practice of what is termed “spotting” tlie layers. By that is meant the bird witli that smart, active appearance and sprightly walk, literally forces herself to his special notice, and continues to do so day after day. In her he quickly sees the possibility of something above the ordinary, and applics the other tests which appeal to him. Occasionally he is disappointed, for the said possibility fails to “check up” decently in other essential directions, but the “spotting” method is sound as a starting point. Just by way of personal explanation, I desire to state that the foregoing represents inv accumulated experience over a period of 43 years, and that vlat I have stated arc the tests used bv :i yself, in conjunction with egg-laying iccords, actually established at public competitions or home tests.