POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

Marketing Surplus Cockerels

SOME POINTS ON PRIMING

(By

“New Laid.”)

‘•There is no greater drain on profits of poultry plants than the keeping of surplus) cockerels beyond a marketable stage, say from four and a half to live months old. or before the adult plumage commences to appear, as it is impossible for a bird :o produce feathers and flesh ar. the same time.” Such is the opinion of the Chief Government Poultry Instructor (Mr. F. C. Brown), stressing the necessity for marketing all cockerels not required for future breeding purpose as early as their age and condition warrant.

The amount of flesh chickens will put on prior t.o producing their second feathers is surprising, providing they have been well fed and maintained in a healthy thriving condition from the day the birds leave the shell. It is surprising how rapidly birds will lose coudition when the second feathers commence to appear. The check in development of flesh with the appearance of the new covering is due not so much to the sudden and new demand on the bird's constitution as to the fact that at this age birds' commence to indicate the natural propensities of development even when running by themselves, by sparring and fighting and generally taking considerable exercise, especially with the lighter breeds, all of which checks flesh-production.

If the birds, therefore, are to show a profit, especially in the lighter breeds, they should, be marketed before the appearance of the adult plumage. If the birds are allowed to go beyond this stage, and it becomes necessary to put the desired condition on the matured frames, the cost of production may easily prove too great to leave any profit even in the case of a wellprimed bird. When catering for the highclass table trade it is quite probable that more money will be secured from a prime bird at five months old than will be obtained for it if marketed in good condition at seven months Or older, at which stage jt is generally termed by poulterers a ‘•■stag.” At the former stage the frame is covered with'delicate flesh, while at the latter stage the flesh is “staggy.” When priming cockerels, it is a good plan to limit the size of the run and so curtail the means of exercise. Under these conditions, and if given, ample food, the birds will rapidly produce flesh, and it should be remembered that'one fatted bird is.worth more than two unfatted, even in markets such as ours where, owing to the limited number of choice table-birds which reach the market, many of the consuming public have not yet been educated to know what tho taste of real choice chicken is. It is inadvisable to try to prime cockerels on inferior or damaged food. If they are to rapidly put on flesh, the food should be sound and fed with a free hand. Only soft food should be given during the priming process, as hard grains are apt to bring on digestive troubles when the birds are confined to a limited space. 1 A suitable mash may be made from two parts of bran and one part each of finely ground wheat-mewl and maize-meal, the whole being moistened with hot water or, better still, skim-milk, and mixed to a crumbly mass. Succulent green material may bo fed in abundance, but separately, and where skim-milk is available it may be given in large quantities to drink.’’ “Broken-Down Behind.”-

A correspondent, “Puzzled” states that he has two. hens that have developed a large abdomen which is apparently full of water or some fluid. The birds walk about with the vent,lowered to the ground, but their combs are bright red. and they eat well. ‘•Puzzled” describes his feeding programme, and wishes to know if this may be responsible for the condition mentioned. The birds in question are in a condition known as “broken-down behind.” Sometimes this is caused by over-fat in old bens, which causes the abdomen to fall. It may also be due to rupture. The most common cause, however, is misplacement of the oviduct, so that instead of the yolks falling into' the oviduct when laying the egg-cluster they fall into tho abdomen and become a large, solid mass. Birds thus affected should be killed. A similar condition may arise from hydatids, or as an after effect of perotonitis. The trouble described is not due to the food these birds are getting, but to an abnormal condition which must have started some time back, but is only manifesting itself now. If other birds of the flock do not become affected with protrusion of the oviduct, or if' they do not produce shellless eggs, there should be no reason to alter the present feeding programme.

Abdominal Dropsy. Fowls suffering from abdominal dropsy should be killed and buried. This edndition is not in itself jt disease, but may be caused by various complaints. The condition gradually becomes worse, until the distension almost reached the ground. Peritonitis may be a cause, or some interference with the .circulation by internal tumour or other disease of the organs. The watery fluid can be tapped, but even if this were done it is.a question whether the bird would prove to be of the slightest value. By the time the dropsical condition is showing tht bird will have ceased to lay, and.it therefore follows that when tho fluid is tapped the bird is by then affected to such an extent that there is not any possibility of its recovering its normal health. —‘‘Organised Marketing.” To Clean Dirty Eggs.

Exposure to beat or damp hastens deterioration of eggs. Heat above 65 deg. Fahr, is likely to produce, a condition of incubation, while damp penetrates the shell and sets up mould growth on the shell membrane. For the lattet rqason immersion in water, particularly if warm, should be avoided. The British Ministry of Agriculture recently advised producers that it is a mistake to wash dirty eggs' The best treatment is to clean them'with a damp cloth at the tinie of collbetion fronl the nest. Inedible Eggs.

As a rule the signs of an inedible egg are so distinct, when candling, that the operator can have no doubt in the matter. In a leaflet on the testing of eggs tor quality the British Minister of Agriculture says: All eggs which show a black,'violet green or blue reaction to the candling rays should at once be rejected. Eggs which contain heavy blood clots or other foreign substances, badly blooded albumen, marked floating yolk, adherent yolk or “treacle” yolk, or dcnlinite mould growth should be excluded as inedible. The same applies to eggs showing the slightest signs of live or dead embryo chick, eggs which smell of tl-di or are tainted with any pungent smelling substances and eggs in which the white has a green tinge. Such eggs arc unfit for human food.

When Undeveloped Pullets Lay. 'l'lie familiar problem of tlie precocious pullet which shows signs of reaching laying condition before it has attained the recognised body-size for the breed is discussed by Mr. J. N. Leigh in the London

“Daily Mail.” Often, says Mr. Leigh, many young pullets shown signs of laying when it is obvious from their size that they are nos sufficiently developed to start laying, and the owner begins to wonder what he can do to prevent the birds from laying until the size of the body is much improved. Actually there is little that can be done at this stage. If these birds are cheeked by any serious reduction in the amount of food given, permanent injury to health and stamina may result. The better plan is to feed them liberally and to take as many eggs as possible from them before they sfnrt a partial moult in the aulmn. . . . The proper time to prevent 100 early laying is when the pullets are in the growing houses. Their food should bo bulky and should not include more than 3 ner cent, at the outside of animal food. Let the grain feed consist largely of oats, perhaps the best food for growth available, but the oats should be clipped, and must be plump and heavy.. Light or long husky oats are of very little value, mid are not readily eaten by fowls. If dry mash is fed do not leave the hoppers open all day. It is a good plan to leave them open for three hours and then close them for two hours. Give a grain feed last thing in

the evening, and sec that enough is given 'to allow every bird to go to roost with a full crop. As important as any other single item is an abundant supply of really fresh air at night. This can never be available if there is any suspicion that the poultry house is overcrowded. Shade in pens or runs is also an important aid to growth. The best kind of shade is that provided by trees, but where that is not available some artificial means should be adopted. \ Red Mite Can Live on Wood.

The discovery that red mite can live on wood when iowls are not present to act as hosts has been madb by irofessor J. G. Halpin,-. University of- Wisconsin;- U.S.A. Many poultrymen, says Professor Halpin, have wondered how mites start'in a new poultry house, and why it is that an old ’nouse can apparently be rid of them for a while, only to become infested again. Mites often have a breeding-ground somewhere outside —in trees where iowls have roosted or in buildings other than the poultry house. Such mites can easily be carried back to the sheds by sparrows and other birds, as well as by chickens. Under ordinary circumstances mites live in cracks or crevices around.the poultry house, aud come out at night to suck blood from the fowls. ’ In the first stage they appear as tiny maggots which hatch from the eggs laid in some protected crack. The mite maggot feeds upon wood or dirt, and is not parasitic ou fowls or other animals. That accounts for the clean looking ridges which can be noted under the wood where a red mite infestation has existed. This little-known wood-eating character of young mites explains why they can live so long away from fowls, and also has a bearing on their control. Professor Halpin recommends that the woodwork be treated with carbolineum. This is a phenol derived from coal tar, but any of the woodpreserving oils can be used. 'When the wood is inpregnated with this wood preservative it prevents the young mites from obtaining nourishing material for feed. Professor lHalpin considers that one brush application each year is sufficient to kill mites and keep them out of the poultry house, providing that where roosts are nailed to a frame, the wood underneath and in between should be thoroughly soaked so that the mites cannot live there and reproduce.

The Cool-Stored Egg. The control of cool-stored eggs is causing concern to producers in Australia as well as to those in New Zealand. In an editorial on this subject the ••Australasian Poultry World,” Melbourne, makes the following comment of interest to Dominion poultrymen : —The framing and even the gazetting of regulations is one thing, but the enforcement of them is another. The cool-stored egg being sold as fresh has been the subject of many resolutions and deputations. Regulations have been framed, gazetted and amended, poultrymen have stressed their need, and politicians have agreed, and yet . . . big quantities of eggs are placed in cool, store unbranded. only to be later brought out and placed into consumption as fresh eggs. There, seems no rfason v why this state of affairs should be allowed to continue, for it should not be a difficult matter to enforce the registration of cool stores, and to see that all eggs placed in cool storage are subjected to a test as to quality, and are indelibly stamped as cool-stored eggs and sold as such. While the overseas consumers are protected by a rigid system of egg inspection which calls for careful grading and candling no such action is taken to safeguard local consumers. . . . There is no reason why sound, fresh eggs, properly cool stored, should not command a pavable price during the period of low production, but they should be sold as such, and not allowed to masquerade ns new'la ids. ■ EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Massey College Competition Following are the results of the 31st week of the Massey Agricultural College egg-laying contest:— SINGLE PENS. Section A.—J. A. Annan, W.L. (G) 148. C. 11. Barker, W.L., No. 1 (5) 123; W.L., No. 2 (5) 105. -W. 11. Barker, W.L., No. 1 (3) 02; W.L., No. 2 (2) 07; W.L., No. 3 (5) 127. Mrs. R. It. Cannon. W.L. ■ (7) 174 x. Emery Bros., W.L. (5) 128. E. M. Calvin, W.L., No. 1 (0) -88 d; W.L., No. 2, (2) 117; W.L., Nd. 3 (0) 58d. 11. Hutchinson. W.L; (5) 138. C. IV. L. King, W.L. (5) 118. A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 1 (6) 148; W.L., No. 2 (0) 128; W.L.,.N0. 3 (0) ISd; W.L., No. 4 (5) 156. 11. Moreland, W.L. (3) 112. W. J. McAloon, W.L. (5) 021 A. ,T. Sluiiler, W.L. (5) 124. 11. Williams, W.L., No. 1 (5) 139 x; W L., No. 2 (4) 116X1 Whenuapat, P.F.. W-.L., (4), 157. Mrs. E.• Youngsoii, Bk. L„ No. 1 (3) 83; Bk. L„ No. 2 (3) 127. D. Kruse. Ano.. No. .1 (5) 106; Ano., No. 2 (6) 101. F. Lang. Arie.. No- 1 (3) 102; Anc., No. 2 (5) 114, J. Smith. Anc., No. 1 (2) 137: Anc.. No. 2 (5) 154. 11. ’Williams, W.L., No. 3 (5) 135. A. Strawbridge, W.L. (51 144.' A. It. Watson, Br. L. (5) 123. Section B.—Miss E. T. Sotncr. R.I.R. (2) 71. K. Mouldey; R.I.K. (5) 80. W. A. Larsen, 8.0.. No. 3 (G) 02. T. Dowtliwaite, IV.W., No. 3 (5) 132. W. A. Larsen 8.0., No. 1 (5) 131 x; 8.0.. No. 2 (5) 149. Mrs. Waddell. 8.0. (6) 137 x. 'l’. Dowtliwaite, W.W., No. 1 (2) 65; W.W., No. 2 (4) 133.

Taranaki Competition Following are the results of the Taranaki Egg-Lnylng Competition Society’s seventh competition:— WHITE LEGHORNS. E. Flare, No. 1. 4—1111; No. ”, (>—l27; No. 3. 0—131; G. L. Gaylard. No. 1, 5—139; No. 2, 6—132; No. 3. 1—127; .Mrs. It. It. Cannon. No. 1. (1—157; No. 2, (1—178; No. 3, 7—1(11: 11. Moreland, No. 1. 5—141; No. 2, 5—173; No. 3. 3-402; 1). M. Peek, No. 1, (1—180: No. 2,0— OS; No. 3. 5—117; No. 1. 0—118: No. 2, 5—WB; No. 3. 0—100; Burbank Poultry Farm. No. I, (1—143; No. 2, 6—180; No. 3, 5—133; A. Moreland, 5—447; Miss E. Ladd, No. 1. S—MJ; No. 2. 5—171; J. A. Wills, 2—136: Hall Bros.. 4—136; S. Pope, 5—175; I’. Freeman, 5—142. Minorca*. —J. T. Brice, 5—109; Miss D. Swadllng. u—l2l — No. 2, 4—116; No. 3, 4— 81. Brown Leghorns.—Mrs. W. Busby, 4—127; Hall Bros. I—llB. Black Orpingtons.—-Mrs. F. A. Warren,

No. 1. 6—111; No. 2, 0—57; No. 3. 5—l3S; Mrs. D. M. Waddell, No 1, 5—99; No. 2, 5—171; No. 3. 5—0.G2; Thos. Dowtliwaite. No. 1,8., 0—132; No. 2. 5—122; No. 3. 5—167; IV. A. Larsen, No. 1, 3—148; No. 2, 3—107; No. 3, 6 —144 : Mrs. S. Paterson, No. 1, 6—133; No. 2. 3—107; No. 3, 4—128; J. Gregg, -4—119; Mrs. V. Hall. 5—136; E. J. Poswillo, 6—131; .Miss D. Swadling, 3—69; H. W. Smith, 6'202. White AVyaudottes.—G. L. Gaylard, No. 1, 4— ; No. 2. 5—113. Light Sussex. —11. Kirkwood, 0—68; G. I'rcstidge, 4—-1’19; o—6l. DUCKS. Fawn Indian Bunners.—Stan. Beauchamp, No. 1, 7 —66; No. 2, 5—128; No. 3, 5— , Fawn and White Bunners.—L. P. Janies. No. 1. 5—65; No. 2,4—9 S; No. 3, 6—141: Mrs. F. A. Warren, No, 1. s—lb2; No. 2, 4—61; No. 3, 3—119; Tlios. Dowtliwaite, No. 1, 5—90; No. 2, 6—182; J. O. Law, 2—85. White Runucrs.—Mrs. D. M. Waddell, 3—SO. Khaki Campbell.—Mrs. D. M. Waddell. 3—77; C. Cleaver, No. 1, 5—140; No. 2, 3—65; No. 3, 6—9-1.

' TEAM RESULTS. Section C. S. I). Morris, W.L.: 114, 150, 40d, 123, 141, 1(15 (30) 742. ' 1 A. J. Darcy, W.L.: 138, 117, 135, 134, 101, 117 (30) 742. i C. W. L. King, W.L.: 103, 137, 122, 02, 00. 142 ( 30) 605. ) . ' 1 .1. Graham, IV.L.: HSx, 104x, 113 103, lOlx, .120 (28) 668. . ' i II. Polson, W.L.: 122, 07, Hix, 115, 121, 127 (25) 603. ' Mrs. Goo. Hillman, W.L.: 147, 116, 133, 115. 30, 121 (IS) 002. .Mrs. D. A. Stewart. W.L.: 110, 70, 130x, 88, 134x. 126.x (25) 058. .... Emery Bros., IV.L.: 72d, 132, 148, 77, 00, 133 (25) 652. .1. T. Hazelwood, W.L.: 142, 150, Ox, 121X, 113. Il2x (23) 647. M. Stephenson, W.L.: 82, 61. 140, 07. Ill, 134 (30) 628. 1*. B. Harrison. IV.L.; 142, 70, 108, 00, 121, 88 (30 ) 025. II. A. Lucas, IV.L.: Ill, 02, 55. 137, 52, IDS (24 ) 555. A. Strawbridge, IV.L.: 87, 109, 109, lOd, 101, 117 (23) 542. , E. B. Wainscott, W.L.: 400. 55, 56. 81, 02. 146’ (26) 530. I). D. Wilkinson, IV.L.: SO, OS, 74, 03. 04, 77 (31) 525. IV. N. Laws, W.L.: 02. 03. 78, 66, 68, 107 (271 504. .1. Smith, Ane.; 84. 60, 84, 24, 08, 74 (20) 430. F. Lang, Ane.: 73, 86. 48x, 50, 58. 30x (25) 345. Seel Ion D. Miss E. T. Some)', II.Lit.: 142, 172, 101, 03. 160x, 107 (31) 814. F. A. Dewhurst, lt.I.ll.: 95, 113x, 80, 131), 141.. 180 (33) 748. W. A. Larsen, 11.0.: 94, 175, 50, 139x. 149. 68d '(24) 675. W. E. Jones. It.Lit.: 102, 123,. 35x. 131, 121. lOlx (25) 610. “x” Disqualified ogg weight clause. "d" Bird dead.

LIGHT BREED: THREE-BIRD TEAMS. Total 1 Weekly to 2 3 Ttl. date. E. Clare, W.L 4 G 6 10 357 G. L. Gaylard. W. L 5 G 4 J 5 3US.Mrs. R. It. Cannon, B .L. 0 G 7 111 4 US) 11. Moreland, W.L 5 5 3 13 41G D M. Peek, W.L., No. 1 0 G 5 17 ;«i.> 1), M. Peek. W.L. No. 2 G 5 r> 17 402 Burbank Poultry Farm . G G 5 17 45G Miss D. Swadling, M. ... 5 4 4 13 31S HEAVY BREEDS: BLACK ORPINGTONS. Mrs. F. A. Warren 6 0 5 111 30G Mrs. D. M. Waddell .... 5 5 5 15 435 Thus. DowHiwaite 0 5 r> w 421 W. A. Larson 3 3 G 12 39’J Mrs. 8. Patterson G 3 4 13 368 DUCKS. Stan. Bcaueliapip 7 . 5 5 17 tk51 I.. P. James 4 G 15 304 Mrs. F. A. Warren 5 4 3 12 2S2 C. Cleaver 5 3 G 14 2U'J B„ Broody.