POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 58, 1 December 1934, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

SUMMER MANAGEMENT

(By

“New Laid.”)

Sound management plays an important part in the conduct of a poultry plant at ail times, but just now both the laying liens aud the young stock require very careful treatment if the best results are to he obtained. The hens, which have had a long spell of laying, will be inclined to show a falling-off in production, and there will be a tendency for the size of eggs to decrease; also the shell, hitherto strong and sound, will now often be poor and thin. If the birds have been getting only ordinary shell-grit up to the present .give them some oyster-shell grit as well, or some old lime or mortar, to build up the shell. A little meat meal, fish meal, or skimmed or dried milk, and plenty of green feed, will help to keep the older birds going for a further period, but on no account make any great changes in their diet. A good many poultrymen give their laying hens a course of Dougins Mixture at this time of the year. This well-known tonic can be made as follows: —Dissolve ilb. sulphate of imn in one gallon of water and half an ounce of dilute sulphuric aeid. This should be allowed to stand until clear and the clear fluid then poured into a glass or earthenware bottle for use. The dose is one teaspoonful per pint of drinking water, three or four times a week. The aeid should be added with care, a little at a time.

Care of Young Stock. The requirements of the young birds should be given great care and thougut. and their conditions should be made as near perfect as possible so as to minimise the risk of their receiving a set-back during the hot weather. First and foremost they should be provided with an abundance of nourishing food. For the production of well-developed bodies, and bone of the right quality and thickness there is, according to the Chief Government Poultry Instructor (Mr. F. C. Brown) no food equal to good plump oats. Given whine, it is difficult at times to get- the birds to cat them, but trouble in this respect may be minimised by purchasing oats that are clipped or. better still, shelled. An adequate supply of freshly-broken oyster or other sea-shell must be provided, lack of this being one of the causes of legweakness and kindred troubles which affect birds during their developing period.

Importance of Green Feed. During the hot weather it is more than ever important that the stock should be'provided with an abouiidant supply of green material, a , necessity which is frequently overlooked on many plants. Where the birds are .confined to the lioytse or to small runs, a good supply of green feed is doubly important. Green feed serves a three-fold purpose—it not only tends to promote good health and an increased egg-yield, but it also gives the yolks of eggs the desired rich colour and a decidedly better flavour, while further, it materially assists in reducing the grain bill, and thereby makes for economic production. There is no boiler green feed than young tender grass. Usually. however, as the season advances, any green material in the runs becomes too tough and fibrous for the birds to relish it, so that where birds are kept in confinement, and especially in bare runs, it is imperative for the maintenance of a healthy, thriving stjite that other green feed be supplied. (Silver beet is an excellent plant to grow for poultry of all ages. It is a heavy cropper, and experience at the Government Poultry. Station at Wallaceville goes to show that growing chickens relish silver beet better than any other green material that can De grown on the place. Any of the cabbage family, including rape, or, alternatively, mangolds, carrots and green oats may be grown to advantage. For growing stock to make the best growth they must never receive a set-back, and one of the worst checks to healthy development is caused by lack of green feed during the growing stage. No effort should be spared, therefore, to grow now an abundant supply of green material for future use.

Animal Food For Chickens. It is not generally known that the lack of animal food is a common cause of brooder chickens acquiring the habit of toe picking and other cannibalistic hab'ts. As a preventive of these troubles the chicks should, according to the Chb'f Government Poultry Instructor, be provided regularly with animal food, but it is better not to feed it at all, according to Mr. Brown, than to feed it at only odd periods. What the chickens never have they never mjss, but if once they discover the taste of meat they crave for more, which is evidenced by the fact that they eat each other. "Treacle” Yolks.

A condition of the yolks of eggs chiefly met with in the spring and in the early' autumn of the year is what is termed “treacle” yolk, which is often accounted for by the consumption of such green food as rape or wild onion, or in the case of ducks, to feeding on acorns and possibly on certain pond weeds. This fault may be detected when candling, by the density and deep brown appearance of the yolk. The outline of the yolk is very distinct. If the egg is opened the yolk will be of a firm consistency and will in the ease of hen eggs have a greenishbrown appearance. In duck eggs the yolk is in some cases, nearly black, or may be of a deep red or bright green colour, according to the particular food responsible for the condition. Eggs affected with “treacle” yolks cannot be whipped into an emulsion; the yolk turns black on cooking, and the smell and taste are most, unpleasant.

Some Chicken Problems. ' Poor feathering in chickens is more noticeable in heavy breeds than in light breeds, The first cause is lack of fresh air when the chicks are at roost. This results in poor growth in individual members of the flock. The poor growth is usually accompanied by pour feathering. An improvement in the majority of cases may, says H. Strong in the “National Poultry Journal.” be effected in a short time if the affected chicks are removed from the brood and reared together. Badly feathered chicks that have left the brooder should be removed to a small house by themselves. If file house is well ventilated an improvement will soon be noticed. Those who rear in large units will find a small brooder to take such chicks a great bcln. No preparation for outward application is likely to have the slightest effect uponfeather growth. In many broods individuals are noticed that grow to a great size, but la«'k strength in the legs to support the body. These are simple cases of chicks outgrowing their strength. As a rule, it is the cockerels that suffer from this trouble. It can be rectified in time, tint it is good policy to dispose of these birds as soon as it is seen that they are weak on the legs. If kept, the trouble may recur Inter in life. If it is desired to cure th 1 ’ bird he must be removed to a small pen where he can be kept by himself. See that he can bask in the sun. Feed the usual mash with 3 per cent, of certified cod liver oil added. An extra feed of bread and milk each day will prove a helm.

Crooked breast bones are said to be inheritable, but no actual proof that this is so has ever been produced I have personally bred from birds with crooked breast bones without finding a single ease in the progeny. All the same Tdo not advise anyone to breed from birds that are otherwise than perfect in this respect. Those often crooked breast bones are due to faulty incubation, and as in the ease of cross beaks, the defect is not noticed until the chicks are well grown, ft is then attributed to early perching or. in flit contradiction to that theory. to allowing the birds to roost bn the floor. Both perches and lack of .perches can cause forms of crooked breasts, but in the vast

Laying Hens and Growing Stock

majority of eases .the trouble has been caused during 'the development of the embryo.

Cross-Beaked Chickens. In the majority of eases a cross-beak iu a chicken is caused by some tault during incubation. The developing embryo, according to an authority, become* slightly deformed through some fault in operating the incubator. Most often the trouble is noticed in chicks that have lacked moisture during incubation, but overheating, underheating and intrequen turning of the eggs have al' been held accountable. These are real root causes ef cross beaks, and other deformities, but the <|rect cause 1h usually that the embryo is in the wrong position in the last three days of the hatching period. This ■s the cause of much “dead in the shell, . nd if the embryo in a wrong position does manage to hatch, there is usually • oine physical deformity to be seen in t lie chicks-. Splay legs and cross, beaks are the two most common forms ot aeiormity. Very often the beak is so slightly cut of true that the fault is not noticed until the chick is several weeks old, bu. the defect develops as the chick grows. General Notes.

If ample perching accommodation is provided for young *tock, it will check lighting and unrest in the flock when the birds are settling down to roost.

**■” , > • It is surprising how lice spread during warm weatlfer. A wise safeguard is to renew the nesting material and sprinkle a proved insecticide in each box. . » » *

Anv pullet which lays underweight eggs should be leg-banded with a special ring, so' that she can be culled at the end of the season.

It is not wise to run old and young riock together, as the old birds will bully the growing pullets.

With the conclusion of the season’s weeding operations, the tanks in hot water incubators and brooders should be emptied. The machines should be •lioroughly cleaned so that they will not deteriorate, and will require, the miiiiitum of attention when again required for hatching.

Lack of shell grit will reduce eggproduction. and reduce the health of a good layer.

It, is advisable to provide plenty of shade for young stock during the: hot, sunny weather.

Attendants whose enthusiasm prompts rush and bustle methods upset their charges. It will be found that the birds respond to quiet, regular management. •

When a number of cockerels arc running together it is common for them to commence sparring and fighting, often with serious results. It is a good plan t<> place one or more adult males with the youngsters. This will tend to keep peace among the young birds, and prevent them from injuring each other.

Never, under present conditions, should an attempt be made to rear weaklihgs or deformed stock, says the Chief Government Poultry Instructor, who adds: “Such birds should never be persevered with, and it is far better to destroy them at the outset and thereby save the worry of trying to rear birds which, if they do come to maturity, may never pay for their keep. ' Wenk-constitutioned birds are apt to catch every passing ailment, and may thus be the means of introducing trouble into the flock.” » » »

New birds brought on to a plant should be subjected to several weeks’ quarantine before they arc placed with the general flock. An English authority states that it has been proved, that twelve days’ quarantine is not sufficient to ensure that a newcomer has a clean bill of health, and advises.^n.v poultryfarmer with a number of birds at stake to extend the period to at least a month.

e - * ■> t . Many poultry runs are spoiled and valuable grass wasted by allowing the growth to become long and rank until it is in a fibrous condition, likely to cause digestive trouble and crop-binding to young and old stock. Whep growth is rapid the grass should be eut down or grazed off by a few sheep.- and this will produce a strong growth of short herbage. Without this precaution most of the useful small, herbs are choked by the grass, and within a short period the run will be fiare.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Taranaki Competition Following are the results of the 35tli week of the Taranaki Egg-Laying Competition Society’s .seventh competition:— White Leghorns.—E. .Clare. No. 1. 3—113: No. 2, 5—146; No. 3. o—Idl; G. L, Gaylurd. No, 1. 6 —161 : No. 41, 7—134; No. 3, 0—146;o —146; Mrs. R. 11. Cannon. No. 1. 4—178: No. 2, 6—202- No. 3, 4—183; H. Moreland, No. 4. 4— No -2. 6—11)4; No. 3, 1—1144; D. M. Peek. No. 1, 7—204; ,No. 2. s—llB, No. 3. 5— <t2o; No. 1, 2—125; No. 2. 5—138; No. 3, 0—173; ißurbank Poultry Farm. No. 1. 5— 164: No. 2, 6—202; No. 3, 4—150; A. Moreland, 5—167: Miss 11. Lndd, iNo. 1. 2—112: No. 2, 7—105; J. A. Wills, 5—153; Hall Bros., 5 —155; P. Freeman, 4—lol.

Minoreas. —J. T. Brice, 4—l2G; Miss D. Swadling, No. 1, 5—130; No. 2, .4—134; No 3, 3-03.

Black Orpingtons.—Mrs. F. A. Warren. No 1 1- —125; .-No. 2, o—oi ; No. 3. 5- 156; Mrs. D M. Waddell, No. 1. 0—106; No. 2. 3— No, 3, 4—178; Thos. Dowthwalte, No. 1. 4 —140; <No, 2, 5—133; No. 3,8., 0 178; IV. A. Larsen, No. 1, 4—164; No. 2, 4— No. 3, S.. 1—157; Mrs. S. Patterson, No. ,1. 4—153: No. 2. 8.. o—ll 6. No. 3. 2— 138; J Gregg, 3—134; Miss V. Hall, 4—103; E J Poswlllo. 6—154; Miss D. Swadling, 1-81; 11. W. Smith, 6-220. i White M’yandottes —G. L. Gaylard. No. 1, 4—137; No. 2, 5—128.

Light Sussex.—ll. Kirkwood, ,0—68; G Prestidge, 4—130; o—6-1.

Fawn Indian • Runners.—Stan. Beauchamp, No. 1, 4 —S3; No. 2, 3—143; No. 3. 4—175. , , Fawn and White Runners. —L. d . Janies, No 1, 4—80; No. 2, 6—118; No. 3. 2—155; Mrs. F. A. Warren, No. 1, 1 —120; ,No. 2, 477- y 0 3. 4—136; Thos. Dowthwalte. No I. 3—108; ,No. 2, 5—202; J. O. Law, 3—102. White Runners.—Mrs. D, M. Waddell, 3—4)3 , Khaki Campbell.—Mrs. D. M. Waddell, 3—1)5; C. Cleaver, No. 1, 2—156; No. 2, 2— 76; No. 3, o—ll 3. {

Massey College Competition The 35th week of the egg-lu.viiig contest conducted at Massey College resulted as follows:— SINGLE PENS, Section A. J. A. Aunan. W.L., 3—1(18; C. 11. Barker, W.L., No. 1, 6-111; No. 2, 3—120; W, It.

Barker. W.L.. No. 1, 0-02: No. 2, 1—108; NO. 3, 5-148; Mrs. R. R. Cannon. 'V-p - ‘r pJOx: Emery Bros.. W.L.. •>— via, W.L., No. 1. o-88d: No. -._o-131. >o. o—->Bd; 11. Hutelilnson. a—lU« ■ .C. «• *- King. W.L.. 5-136; A. G Jlumby, W-L, No. 1. 5—170; No. 2. (>-149. No. 3, 0 ISO. x o 4. q—ISO: H. Moreland. - L r '> J.-’’’ W J McAloon, W.L.. 5—114; A. J. S h'' ile F’ wj, 5—145: H. M illlams. M.L., No 1. T-2154X- No .2 6—l3Sx: Whentiapa! P.l’.. Wl. 6—179; Mrs. I'l. Yoliugson. Bk.L., No. 4_!,5- No 2. 5-148: D. Kruse, Ane.. No. 1 ->_H3- No. .2, 4—119: F. Lang. Ane., No. i No ° 5—135; .1. Smith, Ane.. No- ’ 3-h : No’ 2 4-163 11. Williams., W L.. No .3, 5-157; A. Strawbirdgc. W.L., 3-105: A. 11. Watson. 8r.1... 6—144. Section 15. Miss E iT. Sbmer. R.1.K.. I —89; K. Moulded. R.1.R.. 4-07; W. A Larsen 8.0.. No 3, 5-111: T. Dowfhwalte, \\A\-, 3—146; W. A Larsen. 8.0., No. 1, 4—hi()x. No 2’ 5-174; Mrs. Waddell. 15 O„ B-toOx; T. Dowthwalte, IV.W., No. 1. 2 <4; No. - u—l 4- 1 TKAM KEBULTS. Section C. S. JL W.L., 135, 166, I'Jd, 148, 168. IS A^“j. ) 'Davey, W.L., 160. 133. IIS. 152, 120, 134 (2S), 847. ■J 'Sfe’V ,!1 ' A ’"Si' Stephenson. W.L., 102, 83, 167, 148. 130.’157 (30), 757. ! Mrs. 1). A. Stewart. M L., 130, <O. luOi. 103, 157x,‘ 146 x (25), 756. Emery Bros., AV.L., 72d, lu~, 170, bS, 108. jPoisoib W.L.. 136, 74, llld, 133. 140, 150 T o °) 741 p. K. .Harrison, W.L.. 162, 01, 131, 106. 11 Mrs.°Geo. Hillman,|W.L., 16(5, 116, 450, 137, 30 J, 1 T. jHazelwood. W.L.. 155, 172, 9d, I+lx. I °lr. l "A. X lltieas, 7 'W.L.. 123, 1111. GO. 150. 72. I°S (20) 643 . A Strawbridge, W.L.. 107. 127. 129. 19d, 121/ 140 (24). 613. E B Watnseott, jW.L., 118. «4, 10. 102, 109,' 170 (27). 643. li D. Wilkinson, W.L., 108, 113, 90, 112. 115 * 09 ( 4> ’) .637 W N. Laws, W.L., 114, 116, 88, 72, 90, 115 (20). 595. J. Smith, ,’Ane., 103, 82, 101, 25, 115, 89 F Lang. Anc., 92, 101. .»Bx, 62. 75. 4Gx (19 >’ 43< ’ Section I). Miss E. T Sonier, R.1.R., 169. 190 1182. 80. 183 x, 125 (23), 1)2'.). F A Dewhurst. R.1.R.. 114, 137 x. S 3, .162. 165. 2()3 (28). Still. W Larsen, 15.0., JOS, 203. (53. 163 x. 1(59, GSd '(17), 774< W E Jones, R.1.R., 125, 111, 35d, 151, 142. ,120 x (25), 723. “x” Disqualified egg Weight clause “d” Bird dead.

LIGHT BREED: THltEl 1-BIRD TEAMS. Total 1 o Weekly to 3 Ttl. date. E. Clare, W.L 3 o 13 40!) G. L. Gaylard AV.L 0 7 o 18 401 Mrs. 11. R. Cannon, W.L. 4 0 4 14 563 H. Moreland, W.L 4 0 1 11 450 D. JI. Peetf, W.L., No. 1 7 17 44S No. 2 2 u 0 7 430 Burbank Poultry A’arm u o 4 15 576 Miss D. Swadllng, JI. a 4 3 12 360 HEAVY BREEDS: BLACK ORPINGTONS Mrs. F. A. Warren 1 0 o 6 33S Mrs. D. ;M. Waddell .... 0 3 4 7 4®1. Titos. Dowthwalte 4 0 9 451 W A. Larsen 4 4 1 9 447 Mrs. S. Patterson 4 0 - (J 407 DUCKS. Stan. 1 . 1 4 1.1 103 L. P. James 4 0 — 12 353 Jlrs. F. A. Warren ...... 1 4 4 II 333 315 C. Cleaver J u 9 B., broody; S., siek.