POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 28

POULTRY NOTES

Facing the Breeding Season FINAL SELECTION OF STOCK

(By New Laid.)

The final selection of breeding stock should be completed this month and every breeder should eonc-mtrate upon penning birds, not only outstanding for tbeir productive capacity, but also because they possess that very essential factor, physique, without which the best of flocks will soon degenerate. In selecting the breeders all birds which do not show good physique should be eliminated no matter what their pedigree may be. May is quite late enough if eggs for incubation are to be available in June, which is imperative if early chickens are desired. To have no eggs for incubation in June means very few chickens until August, because if eggs only become available in July three weeks of that month are taken up by incubation, and August is too late to have chickens which it is intended to use in the following year as stud birds. Furthermore, taking the average of farms where home breeding is (tarred on, June and July can well be devoted to the hatching of birds of the better class, from which the breeders for next year will be selected. August and September can then be devoted to the hatching of laying stock of the light breeds, although July is not too early for the batching of Australorps intended us layers. This early penning means that many birds not yet quite recovered from the moult, not only second year birds, but also cockerels and pullets from the last season hatching, may have to be penned before they are quite furnished with their new coat of feathers. There is nothing against that course. The main thing is to get the birds settled down in their new environment, and it is all the better if this can be done before the liens and pullets come on to lay. The male birds may, if desired, be placed in later, and so long as it is a week before the eggs are collected for incubation it will be generally sufficient. It is good policy to go over all of the breeding stock, the male _ birds in particular and check -the condition in respect of weight and freedom from body parasites. Cockerels of last season’s hatching should be in condition, to use in the breeding pen, aud should in the case of Leghorns weigh between 51b and 61b. and Australorps at least lib. heavier. Second year birds in each case should weigh not less than lib. more, but in the case of the latter 21b. higher is desirable. To get or keep the male birds free from body parasites, to which they are particularly liable, dust them through to the skin with flowers of sulphur, using it as an insecticide. This dusting .might require to be repeated once or twice before the birds are penned. Neglect of these two precautionary measures may lead to disappointing incubation results.

Breeding From Hens. Breeding from second or third year hens and a second season cock was strongly commended by a Durham County poultry instructor addressing a meeting of English breeders. The expert stated that a tremendous amount of harm had been done in the past by introducing into the breeding pen immature pullets and pullets that had not proved that -they could lay during their first laying season. Au incubator room, he added, should have a fairly even temperature. If the ture inside the building were 60 to 65 degrees he was convinced that hatches would be very much better. It was essential that there should be an inlet of fresh air near the ground level, and an outlet at the highest point. A ’hen, it was stated, would hatch eggs that were three weeks or even a month old, but an incubator would not do so. Eggs for a machine must be as fresh and as clean as possible. Any dirt on the eggs should be scraped off with a knife, and not washed off.

Preparations For Hatching. On well-managed plants the incubators and brooders will have been left in such a condition at the conclusion of last season’s operations, that they will require very little attention to make them ready for the present season. On other farms this plant will need a very complete overhaul before it is ready for use. and this task should not be delayed. Broken or worn parts of incubators, etc., should be replaced at once, as stocks may not be on hand if this work is left to the last moment. Thermometers and capsules should be tested aud trays examined to see that they are not sagging too much. Lamps and their wicks should also be examined and tested, and water troughs and feeding hoppers should be checked over. A searching test run of incubators and also of brooders may save a lot of trouble when the eggs are put. in the former and the chickens in the latter Clean Ground For Chickens.

The importance of clean ground on which to run growing chickens, particularly those in the baby stage, can scarcely be over-emphasised. The next best thing to running the chicks on new land is to put them on long-spelled land. There are many newcomers into the business of poultry farming, says Mr. Jas. Iladlington, the well-known New South Wales authority, who have caught on the new idea, emanating from another country, of keeping baby chickens off mother earth. This idea is not wrong because it is new, says Mr. Hadlington, but because it is contrary to nature’s way, and no good can come of it. If, as alleged, baby chickens are exposed to infection to disease from the land over which they are run. it is either because the soil has been unduly contaminated by successive batches of young birds run over it without the ground having been sufficiently spelled, or that degeneracy due to faulty breeding has so lowered the resistance of the birds as to expose them to easy infection. There are, however, different ideas as to how land can best be cleaned and kept clean. One is to dig up and cultivate the soil, and the other is to spell the rearing ground for a few months each year. Experience over the past 30 years on farms in existence for that length of time has demonstrated that the rearing ground can be kept good by simply spelling it for a few months in each year. Not so, however, with many farms that have cultivated and grown crops with the same end in view. On these the soil has become so contaminated by the constant digging-in of excreta as to have become a hotbed of organic life inimical to chicken life. Organisms such, for instance, as coccidia, are not necessarily destroyed by cropping, indeed they are to some extent preserved by digging in, but such organisms are destroyed by the elements when exposed to them. Whatever the scientific explanation of the occurrence, it. is a fact of experience that some of the farms suffering most from this class of disease are those on which the surface of the soil has been constantly disturbed and run over without spelling. General Notes. Eggs should be placed in the incubator if possible not later than ten days after they are laid. If they can be got in earlier, so much the better. » <■ » Mr. T. Dove, of Canterbury, will again have the services <>f Mr. TI. Nagura. tlie Japanese chick-sexing expert, for the coming breeding season. $ St Stale or mouldy foods will quickly cause digestive disorders or poisoning, often with disastrous results in a flock. « « « Any sudden or drastic change in the fowls* menu, particularly during autumn or winter, will probably result in the birds eating leew for a time while they become accustomed to the new mixture, and this will at once mean a fall in returns.

Green feeds are very useful in keeping the digestive track dean. Wheaten bran is somewhat laiativo and while it

is safe for adult stock, care should be taken when feeding it to young chickens or diarrhoea may result. * * ■* Special care should be taken to ensure a plentiful supply of dry litter through the winter months, as any dampness in the sheds will lead to colds and disease. ♦ * * The fact that an egg contains 70 per cent, of water and the body of a chicken over 55 per cent, should impress farmers with the need for an unfailing supply of fresh water for their birds. EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Massey College Results la the egg-laying contest conducted at Massey College the 7th week resulted as I0110WS: - SINGLE PENS. Section A.—A. G. Mumby, W.L. No 1 (5) 38’ R. M. Smith, W.L., ><o. 1 (a), 37, Miss H. Keddell. W.L.. No. 2 (5), 36: A. G. Mumby. W. L.. No. 2 (5) .38; G. L Moody, Sv L-, (5), 35; Rangluru Egg Ranch, W.L., NO. 3 (5). 34: Mrs. C. A. Stratford, W.L., (4) 34; Miss H. Keddell. W-L., No. 1 (a), 33- F. Ecob, W.L. (4), gl; A. G. Mumby. W.L., No. 3 (3), 29; J. Reilly, W.L., No. 2 (5) 28- A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 4 (4), 27, A. A. iloare, IV.L., No. 2 (4). 25; Miss E. Ladd, W.L. (4), 24.; A. E. Salisbury, W.L, No. 3 (2), 24; A. A. Hoare. W.L, No. 1 (0), 23- E. B. Wainscott, W.L. (1), 23; J. A. Annan, W.L. (1), 22; M. Stephenson, W.L. (3). 19; Rangluru Egg Ranch, W.L, No. - (0), 17; Rangiuru Egg Ranch M .L., No. 1 ("'I 16' Mrs. B. B. Andrews, W.L. (0), 14, ■l. E. Salisbury, W.L., No. 2 (0), 13; R. M. Smith W.L., No. 2 (4), 13; A. E. Salisbury, W L No. 1 (4). 11; J. Mold, W.L. (0) 9; C. L. W. Urquhart, W.L. (5), Sr; J. Refl'YWL No. 1 (4), 7r; Moreland Bros., W.L. (3) 3' H. Polson, W.L. (0). 3; C. 11. Barker, W.L., No. l'(0), 0: C. H. Barker W.L., No. 2 (0), 0; F. H. Paddy, Mln. (0), 0. Section B.—T. Dowthwaite, 8.0., N°- - (7) 41- T. Dowtlnvaite, 8.0., No. 3 (6), 10, F. Seymour. 8.0. (6). 39; J. H. Sutton. A.O. (5), 39; A, E. Salisbury, A. 0., No. 3 (o)-, -S, Norman Ross, 8.0. (6), 37; R. F elst ’ No. 2 (5), 33; John Walker, A.O. (4). 33; T. Dowthwalte, 8.0.. No. 1 (4). 30; A. L. Sallsburv A. 0., No. 1 (G), 29; W. A. Larsen, a!o (5), 16; R. M. Smith. 8.0. (3), lu: A. E. Salisbury, A. 0.. No. 2 (6), 13; Mrs. Norman Ross, A.O. («). 7; R. Feist R.I.R No. 1 (1), 6; Q, A. Edge, R.I.R. (0), 0; J. D. Rowlands, R.I.R. (0). 0. TEAMS RESULTS. Section C. (AU W.L.). Argyle Poultry Farm, 27, 31, 24, 30, 26, 30 F. ( EcobJXo. 2.-30, 28, 12, 32, 28, 29, (12), 15 fi. B. Wainscott—29, 20, 21, 25, 35, 21, Urquhart.—49, 24, 23, 33, 17, 31, F 23) 147 J. Graham.—ll, 30, 27, 29, 24, 22, (19), 143 S. D. Morris.-25, 13, 21, 26, 13, 34, (6), 132 S. G. Batten. —9, 21, 13, 33, 25, 28, (4), 129. F. Ecob, No. 1.—20, 17, 38, 3, 13, 29, (16),. 129. Cotswold Poultry Farm.—ls, 28, 31, 33, 0, Penrose “Poultry Ltd. —2», 16, 2, 14, 31, Thompson.— 13, 19, 34, 17, 7, 10, T. Hazelwood.—2s, 17, 3, 13, 11, 22, (4), 91 Mrs. G. E. Sewell.—lB, 24, 24, 14, 8,0, (5). 88. D. M. Peek.--3, 9, 33, 1,4, 30, (10), 80. M Stephenson. — 2, 27, 18, 0, 11, 8 ('l3), 66. A.’ E. Salisbury.—l 3, 22, 12, 0,0, 17, (6), M J. Wllson.-o. 0, 15. 13. 17, 19, (14) 64 Miss H. KeddeTl.—l4, 19, 2,0, 14, 12, (0), R. Forlong.—lr, 0. 5. 17, 20, 6, (13), 52. J. J. Faulkner.—lo, 22, 0. 0, 0. 10. (4), 42. H. Polson.—lo, 0. 0. 20, 10, 0, (10), -10. A. J. Dudson.—l4. 12. 0, 0. 12, 0. (12) 3S. Mrs. B. B. Andrews. —1,8, 10, 1,1» 8, (0), 32. Section D. ’ Cotswold Poultry Farm—A.O., 35, 26, 38, 3. 36, 17, (16), 155. Luke Fletcher.-B.O„ 20, 37, 1,0, 35, 32 (18) 131 Mrs. D. M. Waddell.—B.O., 32, 40, 0, 15, 33, 11. (27), 131. A. E. Salisbury.—A. 0., 39, 37, 35, 10, 5, 4r, (16), 130. „ „ J B. Duthle, No. 1—8.0., 6, 29, 20, 43, 0, 31, (131, 129. J. IL. Duthle, No. 2—8.0., 32, 23, 14, 0, 31. 9, UD, HO. J. B. Duthle, R.1.R., 16, 28, 13, 14, 0, 38, (13), 109. A. Thomson.—A.O., 34, 29, 2,0, 27, 13, (13). 105. F. A. Dewhurst, R.1.R., 10, 31, 9, 20, 13, 6 (18) 94 Mrs. R. Willers.—B.O., 27, 0, 35, 9, 23, 0, (13) 94 Bliss ’Bros.—R.l.R.—22, 0, 23, 20, 0, 15, (0), 80. W. A. Larsen—A.O., 8, 17, 0,0, 13, 0, (0), 38. IV. Fletcher.—A.O., 1,5, 13, 0, 10, 4, (0), 33 I. J. Grose—B.O., 0,0, 0,8, 4, 17, (11), 29. G. A. Edge.—R.l.R., 0,2, 0,8, 0,0, (8), 10. “r" replacement. Taranaki Competition The seventh week of the Taranaki Egglaying Competition Society’s ninth competition resulted as follows: — White Leghorns.—-M. L. Williams, No. 1, 5— No. 2, 5—31; No. 3, 6—38. Emery Bros., No. 1, 5—16; No. 2, 6—39; No. 3, 5 —12. D. M. Peek, No. 1, 6—40; No. 2, 5—31; No. 3, s—lo. E. B. Wainscott, No. 1, 5—32; No. 2, 5 —36: No. 3, 7—43. M. Stephenson, No. 1 5—21; No. 2, 5—27; No. 3. (1—32. Cotswold Poultry Farm. No. 1, 0—33; No. 2, 4—37; No. 3, 5—20. The Pines Poultry Farm, No. 1, 6—22; No. 2, 5—10; No. 3, G—ls. Mrs. A. W. Revell, No. 1, 6—39; No. 2, 5—23; No. 3, 0—35. Mrs. R. R. Cannon, No. 1, 7—33; No. 2, 5—18; No. 3. 5—28. C. W. L. Urquhart. No. 1, 7—38; No. 2, 5—20; No. 3, 6— 39. Moreland Bros., No. 1, 0—36; No. 2, 5—34: No. 3, 5—34. C. L. Young, 4—21. Excelsior Poultry Farm, 5—24. D. Kruse, 5—1(1. Miss E. Ladd, 5—36, F. S. Phillips, 5—26. Brown Leghorns.—Hall Bros., No. 1, 0—14; No. 2, 5—18; No. 3, 0-8. G. C. Harding, 0-0. IV. Busby, 4—lB. . Minorca*.—J. Carlton, o—o. IV. Sellars, 5—29. Anconas.—D. Kruse, 4—5. Australorps.—J. H. Suttou. No. 1, 6—36; No. 2, 0—0; No. 3, 5—33. W. A. Larsen, No. 1, 1—1; No. 2, O—s: No. 3, 0-0. Mrs. I. M, Playle, 7—46. Miss M. Playle, o—o. Mrs. R. H. Raynor, 6—13. Orpingtons—Mrs. F. A. Warren, No. 1, 7— No. 2. 1-8; No. 3. 3—3. Mrs. D. M. Waddell. No. L 7—22; No. 2, 6—34; No. 3, 4—36. Miss D. Swadllng, 5—21. A. H. Nicholson, o—l2. Miss E. Ladd, 5—33. Rhode Island Reds.—J. H. Sutton, 6—13. W. Sellars, o—l. Mrs. W. O. Gould, s—ll. C. C. Cleaver, o—2. Sussex.—Miss D. Playle, o—fl.

DUCKS. Fawn and White Indian Runners.—ll. H. Melville, No. 1. fl—2; No. 2, fl-fl; No. 3, o—o. Tlios Dowthwalte, No. 1, 5 —9; No. 2, 2—2; No. 3, 3—3. L. P. James, No. 1. 5—3; No. 2, o—7; No. 3, 5—29. Khaki Campbell.—C. A. Stratford, o—o. LIGHT BREEDS: THREE-BIRD TEAMS. Total

•—Signifies dead bird. S.—Sick, t — Underweight eggs. E.—Broody. SL—

Wkly. to 12 3 Tl. Date M. L. Williams, W.L. .. 3 y fl to 97 Emery Bros., W.L , i 6 i) 16 G7 D. M. Peek, W.L (1 5 y 16 87 E. B. Wainscott, ..W.L. 5 5 7 17 111 M. Stephenson, W.L. ... i) y fl l(i .SO Cotswold P. Farm, W.L. b 6 b 16 DO The Pines P. Kami, W.L. fj , i 6 17 47 Mrs. A. W Revell, W.L. 6 . i « 17 77 Mrs. It. R. Cannon, W.L. 7 . i b 17 79 C. L. W. Urquhart. W.L. 7 0 0 18 102 Moreland Bros., W.L. ... 4 y . 1 16 104 Hall Bros., ILL 0 o 0 3 40 HEAVY BREEDS. 11 09 ,1. IL .Sutton, Aus 4 0 5 V'. A. Larsen. Aus 1 0 0 1 6 Mrs. F. A Warren. <>. .. 1 3 11 86 Mrs. D. M. Waddell. 0. . 4 6 1 17 DUCKS. FL H. Melville 0 0 0 0 14 Tbos. Dowtbwaite .... . > .3 10 L. P. .Tamos ■ 1 0 u 10 •Id