POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 139, 7 March 1936, Page 26

POULTRY NOTES

Farming For Egg-Production

METHODS OF COMMENCING

(By

New Laid.

Methods of starting farming for eggproduction vary according to the time ot year when the start is made, the amount of capital available, and the speed with which it is intended to build uu the farm into a profit-paying concern, says O. IL Stevenson, N.D.P., in “Poultry World. There are several methods of acquiring stock, including, (a) hatching eggs, (b) day-old chickens, (c) “started” chickens, (d) three-months-old pullets, (e) six-months-old pullets, and (f) breeding stock.

Purchasing Hatching Eggs. The purchase of sitting eggs is probably the cheapest method ol beginning operations., but this method presupposes the possession or purchase of batching equipment. There are many commercial egg-producers who consider that incubation does not come within the purview of the term “commercial egg-production,’ and prefer to leave the worries of incubation to the specialist in such matters. Others, however, prefer to see the kind of eggs that their stock is coming from, and thus prefer eggs to day-old chicks—-as “coming events cast their shadows before.” It might even be better were the buyer to insist on seeing the parent stock which has produced the hatching eggs of which he is considering the purchase. The purchase of hatching eggs is not a very common practice among large-scale egg-producers except for the purposes of introducing fresh blood for cockerels, and on this score would generally be limited to a smali number of sittings from the better pens of a wellknown breeder. Most commercial producers think —possibly rightly—that if they are to buy hatching eggs and do their own hatching, then they might just as well do their own breeding as well. Day-old Chickens.

The purchase of day-old chicks for rearing for stocking a farm initially or for replacement purposes is a course which can be well recommended —always provided a reliable supplier of healthy chickens can be found, and in this lies the snag. As new people have come into the egg-production business—many of them without any previous knowledge—some have adopted this method of stocking their farms, while many older-estab-lished farms have turned to the purchase of chicks as a means of getting in the necessary quota of pullets, instead of conducting their own breeding operations. There is a real danger that the supply of good and reliable chicks at the moment is too small to fulfil all the demand that exists for them. This fact has in the last year or two led to a very great increase in the number of hatcheries operating in England, while the number of potential and actual breeders can hardly have increased at anything like a corresponding rate. There has been a great temptation, not always resisted, to breed from some fowls which should never find their way into the breeding pens of a conscientious and painstaking breeder. The initial price paid for chicks is not the only criterion of the value of the fowls, and it is only repeating a truism to say that cheap chicks initially may be dear in the long run. Selection and breeding must obviously be behind the chickens, or the pullets will give but a poor account of themselves when it comes to be their turn to “deliver the goods.” Mortality also has an important bearing on the cost of producing the pullet, since the “deads” have to be charged against the “lives,” and a hi;Ui rate of mortality among the growing stock can make initially cheap pullets very dear. “Started” Chicks. The practice of buying started, chicks has become common among a certain class of commercial men —usually people who have newly entered the industry and have possibly neither the confidence nor the ability to rear their own chicks from dayolds. “Started” chicks may be anything from one to eight weeks old, and much depends op the management to which they have been subjected during this very important early period of life as to whether they represent a good method of purchasing stock or not, quite apart from the price which may be asked for them. Most hatcheries have batteries installed in which surplus chicks are reared until such time as they can be disposed of, and this is the general source of supply of “started” chicks. The advisability ot using batteries for rearing purposes where pullets are to be used for egg production has been seriously questioned in some quarters. Provided they are. properly managed, feeding and ventilation are as good as possible, and the chicks are not kept under such conditions for a longer period than four weeks or so, then little damage may be done. I would not care to buy battery-started chicks for any situation in which it might be necessary later to breed from them.

Tliree-nionths-old Pullets. The purchase of three-months-old pullets was much more common a few years ago than it is to-day. At that time duodenal coecidiosis was unknown, whereas to-day it may often be met with after that age. A few years ago one purchased three-months-old pullets in the belief that such would go straight into the laying houses, and no losses would be experienced among them, and such belief was generally justified. To-day, buying pullets of that age in no way presupposes that no further casualties will be experienced. Often the most serious losses occur in flocks between' three and six months of age—from one or other types of coecidiosis. Advanced Pullets.

Equipping a farm with six-mouths-old pullets is, to a certain extent, open to the same objections as the method previously mentioned, while in addition the prices which have to be paid for mature pullets are usually fairly high, since the pullets would obviously be just coming into profit for the rearer were they to be kept, and hence a commensurately high price _is naturally demanded. There is no price which can be fixed about which one could say that pullets bought would fail to show a profit, or below which one could say a reasonable profit would be forthcoming, since the amount of profit which can be made is governed very largely by the quality of the fowls anti, the management to which they are subjected.

Purchasing Breeding Stock. The purchase of over-year hens for use as breeders is one of the best methode of securing foundation stock, though the use of this method will generally necessitate the building up of the fam being relatively slow, unless a large number of breeders were purchased, and such a course would hardly be justified. The use of over-year fowls as breeders is to be recommended as sound practice in view of the mortality which sometimes occurs among first-year pullets. Fowls which have completed their first year’s laying must obviously be better to breed from than those pullets which may only have laid a small number of eggs during their first winter, and are thus only just into their stride. By using over-year hens and breeding one’s own stock from them, one is in a position to assess the probable value of the pullets so bred, from the point of view of egg size, body size, etc. The purchase of suitable breeding stock, however, is often a costly business, particularly where such stock carry trap-nest records, and hence could hardly be considered as practical politics for the commercial producer requiring large numbers of pullets for replacement purposes. Of the methods of stocking or restocking a farm with pullets for commercial egg production which have been discussed above, the purchase of day-old chicks probably represents the best one to adopt in the majority of cases, though it is realised that circumstances alter cases.

Grit Containers. Methods of supplying grit to poultry vary, from placing a bag in the run and slitting the side, allowing the birds to help themselves, to special grit hoppers as for mash and grain. Most birds have a habit of scratching grit about when it is too open, and a writer in the official organ of the New South Warns Egg Marketing Board describes what he considers a very sensible method with a butter-box as the container. The lid is hinged for bulk supply, and the four sides of the box have circular holes cut out with a small saw, quite large enough for the birds’ heads to be insej.-t.ed, and at a convenient height for eating, while allowing a good depth of grit. The birds are able to pick the grit over, yet not scatter it round, and the owner stated that he found the containers both economical and efficient. When replenishing boxes be stirs up the residue, and large or coarse material is taken out for recrushing. Blood Spots in Eggs. Probably the most common defect m eggs is the blood-spot. A spot on the yolk is due to th.e rupture of a small blood canillary when the yolk-sac ruptures to release the yolk. A spot in the white is due to the rupture of a blood vessel in the oviduct. Blood spots occur mostly in the spring or when the pullets are coming into production. In the majority of cases the trouble rights itself as soon as production slows down a little. Eggs with blood spots are ■ produced by a few individuals in the flock, and as it is not sound practice to treat the flock for the individual, it is not advisable to restrict the consumption of food in order to check production. as doing so would mean greater loss than that involved in removing the defective eggs. To avoid complaints about blood spots all eggs should be candled.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS

Taranaki Society’s Results Th 49th week of the Taranaki Egg-lay-ing Competition Society’s eighth test resulted as follows: — White Leghorns.—T. R. .Wright, No. 1, 3—167; No. 2, 0—177; No. 3, 0—251. Mrs. R. R. Cannon, No. 1, 0 —199; No. 2, 4— 254; No. 3, 0—157. Emery Bros., No 1, 5—279; No. 2, 0—216; No. 3, 0—206. E. B. Wainscott, No. 1, 3 —245; No. 2, 6—324; No. 3, 4—245. D. M. Peek, No. 1, 5— 226: No. 2, O—lS2; No. 3, 4—192. H. Moreland, No. 1,5—2 SO; No. 2, 4—246 No. 3. 3—231. A. J. Shailer, 0—232. M. Stephenson, 1—255. Miss E. Ladd, 4—217. H. H. Melville, 1—227. Ramanui Poultry Farm, o—l9o. G. Quinn, 0—195. Brown Leghorns.—Mrs. W. Busby, No. 1 2163' No. 2, 0 —226; No. 3, 4 —199. Hall Bros., No. 1, 0—204; No. 2, 3—221; No. 3. 1—205. G. Harding, 4—234. Mlnorcas. —Miss D. Swadling, No. 1. o—--141; No. 2, 1—189; No. 3, o—lsB. J. Donaldson, 0 —228. Anconas. —P. J. Mailman, o—l3a. Welsummers. —Mrs. D. M. AVaddell, 3 14° Australorps.—W. A. Larsen, No. 1, 0— 193; No. 2, 0—61; No. 3, 4—230. Black Orpingtons.—Mrs D M. Waddell, w 0 i 4—280- No. 2, 3—178; No. 3, o—lB3. J. H. Sutton, No. 1. 0—206 No. 2, 0—187; No 3 4_259. Mrs. F. A. Warren, No. 1. 0—119; No. 2, 3—190; No. 3, o—l6o. TIIOS. Dowthwaite, No. 1, 0—196; No. 2, 3—236: No. 3, o—ll 4. Miss E. Ladd, 4—191. Miss D. Swadling, 0—134, <H. W. Smith, o—l3l. E. J. Poswillo, o—2ol. Rhode Island Red—K. Moulfiey, 0— 138. C. C. Cleaver. 0—194 Light Sussex—Mrs. R. R. Cannon, 0211. Mrs. D. M. Waddell, 3—214. DUCKS. Fawn and White Runners.—L. P. James. No. 1, 0—70; No. 2, o—-274; No. 3, o—lso. Bliss Bros., o—lo2. • Fawn Indian Runners. —Stan. Beauchamp, No. 1, 0—112; No. 2, 0—139; No. 3, 3—197. ■ A White Indian Runners.—J. O.' Law, 0— 112. Khaki Campbell.—S. Pope, 0—162. C. Gibbons, o—ll 7.

LIGHT BREEDS: THREE-BIRD TEAMS Total Weekly to

Massey College Competition Results of the 49th week of the egg-lay-ing contest conducted at Massey College are as follows :— SINGLE PENS. Section 13.—T. Dowthwaite, 8.0., No. 1, 5-262: No. 3, 3—238. Mrs. D. JI. Waddell, L.S., 4—225. W. A. Larsen, 80., No. 1, 5—225. Miss E. T. Soiner, R.1.U., No. 3, 3—217. V. J. Billington, 8.0., 4— 212. T. Dowthwaite, 8.0., No. 2, 5—189. E. Hansen, 8.0., 0—177. Miss E. T. Soiner, R.L.R., No. 1, 3—166; No. 2, o—loo. W. A. Larsen. 8.0., No. 2, 0—133. K. Jlouldey, R.1.K., 59d. Section A. —H. Polson, W.L., No. 2, 5— 286 x. A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 2, 5—266. 11. Moreland, W.L., 5 —239. Whenuapai P.F., W.L., 2—245. J. T. Hazelwood, W.L., No. 2, 4—243. Miss E. Ladd, W.L., 4—243 r. J. A. Annan, W.L.. 6—237. A. J. Davey, W.L., No. 2, 5—233. H. Polson, W.L., No. 1. 4—227. A. J. Dudson, W.L., 2— E. B. Wainscott, W.L., 2—222. J. Reilly, W.L., 3—212. J. T. Hazelwood, W.L., No. 1, o—2ll. F. Lang, Ane., No. 2, 3— 211. A. J. Davey. W.L., No. .1. 4—210. H. Polson, W.L., No. 3, 4—207. F. Lang, Ane., No. 1, 4—206. A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 4, 5—193. Emery Bros., W.L., No. 2, 4— A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 1, 173(1. Emery Bros.. W.L., No. 1, o—ll 4. A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 3, 0-97. TEAMS RESULTS. Section D. R. H. Morrison, 8.0., 217 x, 184, 219, 243 x, 17Sx, 212 x, (24). 1244. Mrs. R. Willers, 8.0., 219, 203 d. 233, 136 d, 233 x, 166, (11), 1190. W. A. Larsen. 8.0., 161, 168, 232 x, 20-1, 139. 244 x. (23), 1148 G. A. Edge, R.1.R., 170, 125, 197, 206, 230. 214, (24), 1142 F. A. Dewhurst, R.1.R., 193 164 d, 224, 150, 199, 200. (20), 1130. ■ Mrs. N. 11. Short, 8.0., 143 r, 84d, 131 x, 199 r, 233, 191, (14), 981. J. B. Duthie. R.1.R., 209, 97, 206, 116, 143, 157, (11), 928. W. E. Jones, R.1.R., 135, 217 x, 183 x, 133, 54d, 189 x, (22), 916. A. Wood. Lang, 198, 112 r, 193 x, 132, 78. 142. (11), 855. M. L Boyce, 8.0., 167, 145 r, 106(1, 60, 220, 58, (12), 756. Section C.

M. Stephenson, W.L., 213, 245, 197 r, 252, 234, 235, (27), 1376. Miss H. Reddell, W.L., 173 x, 255, 194, 224, 209, 243, (29), 1298. A. J. Davey. W.L., 194, 231, 209, 213, 227, 119 d, (20). 1193 E. B. Wainscott, W.L., 212, 217, 147 d, 111, 235 x, 213, (14), 1135. H. Polson, No. 2, W.L., 224, 227„ 191, 213. 146, 120, (19), 1124 H. A. Lucas, W.L., 223, 152, 197, 242, 178, 118. (16). 1110.

J. Graham. W.L., 240, 106, 170 x, 207, 113 d, 185. (19). 1081. Mrs. R. R. Cannon, W.L., 175, 148, 185, 218. 153, 1651'. (22), 1044. C. J. Hubbard, No. 1, W.L.. 229, 190, 1393, 185, 204, 96d, (19), 1043, S. D. Morris, W.L., 199, 128. 88d, 217, 219. 189, (13), 1040. , Miss Moreshead, W.L., 63(1. lS6x, 243, 171. 236. 108 x. (19), 1007. H. Polson. No. 1. W.L., 114, 90, H 4, 171, 188. 189, (13), 926.

Mrs. M. L. Williams, W.L., S 9 110, 225, 179, 83d, 200 x, (8), 916.

C. J. Hubbard, No. 2, W.L., 134, 189, 96d, 122, 169, 128, (3), 838. “r” Replacement: “d” bird dead; “x” disqualified egg weight clause.

1 2 3 TtL date T. R. Wright, W.L 3 0 0 3 4 Mrs. R. R. Cannon, W.L. 0 4 0 010 Emery Bros., W.L 0 0 5 701 E. B. Wainscott, W.L.. 3 6 4 13 811 I). M. Peek, W.L 5 0 4 9 600 H. Moreland, W.L . > 4 3 12 757 Mrs. W. Busby, B.L. ... •> 0 5 6 588 Hall Bros, B.L., 0 3 1 4 630 Miss D. Swadling, B.L. 0 1 0 1 48b HEAVY BREEDS. W A. Larsen, Aus. ... 0 0 4 4 •ISO Mrs. D. M. Waddell, B.O. 4 3 0 7 641 ,T. H. Sutton, B.O 0 0 4 4 052 Mrs. IT. A. Warren, B.O. Thus. Dowthwaite, B.O. 0 3 0 3 469 0 3 0 O 546 DUCKS. L. P. Janies 0 0 0 (1 494 Stan Beauchamp 0 0 3 3 443