POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 26

POULTRY NOTES

Discarding Unprofitable Stock

SOME HINTS ON CULLING

(By

NEW LAID.)

The modern commercial poultry-farmer culls his flock all the year round, discarding at once any bird which is weak in constitution or which indicates in any way that it is not likely to pay its way. February and March, however, are the best m'onths for general culling and points to keep in mind are that none but payable stock are worth retaining on the plant for future laying aud breeding purposes. and successful culling' and the selection of the most desirable breeding hens can be best carried out just previous to the moulting period, as the chief indications of low or high egg-producing capacity disappear in the moulting process.

Considerable caution has to be exercised in the work of culling at.this period of the year because frequently the heaviest layers have the most worn and shabby appearance and are the thinnest birds in the flock though infinitely superior to the heaviest and best-looking ■birds. The bird above the average weight of the breed and looking in the very pink of condition is very often the drone. The condition of the abdomen also serves as a good guide to laying capacity. In the good bird this will be found to be full, pliable and soft to the touch. On the other hand, the abdomen of the low producer will be more or less shrunk, besides being thick and hard to the touch. The' undesirable bird should not be confused. however, with the heavy layer which is easing off in egg production and is preparing for more production, and is thin and light for her size. At this period of the year it is often difficult to distinguish between the two classes of birds, but it will generally be found that the thinnest birds at this season of the year are the heaviest layers in the flock. Other indications of poor layingpower are a well-kept plumage, and any signs of weak constitution, such as a dull sunken eye, loose feathering, sluggish appearance, and anything denoting unhealthy condition. In the case of the breeds with yellow legs, such as Leghorns, it will generally be found at this season of the year that those which have lost the deep yellow colour —the legs having become more or less white and bleachedlodking—are the best layers, and the strongest birds in the flock, whereas those with legs of a rich yellow are the '‘boarders.” It should be noted that the legs of even the best layers will not become bleached out to the same extent when a grass range is provided, as when they are kept in confinement. Local conditions must be taken into account when applying this test. The same may be said with regard to taking the time of moulting as a guide to productive capacity. It will usually be found that in a mixed flock of first and second-year layers, the latter will, owing to their shorter season of production, moult later than in their pullet year. Therefore in the work of culling, due allowance must be made for the age of the bird, as otherwise many of the young birds which it would be profitable to keep are apt to be disposed of, and their older but less profitable sisters retained in the flock. Some sound advice was given by the present chief Government poultry instructor, Mr. C. J. Cuesen, who has had a wide experience in culling, during the time he was stationed at Christchurch as Government poultry instructor for the South Island. Before beginning to cull a pen of birds, said Mr. Cussen, the operator should know and give due consideration to the conditions under which they have been kept and also the age of the birds he is about to examine. For instance, if tlie flock has been subjected to a sudden change of feed, especially during December or January, many good birds may have been driven into a moult, and the same thing is likely to happen if the flock has been underfed. In fact, when a large percentage of a flock ceases laying and goes into a moult before the new year, it is usually, a case of underfeeding. Birds that were in houses where artificial light was used last autumn and winter will usually moult a little earlier than others. Again, the age of the birds must be considered, for generally speaking, yearling hens that began laying in February of last year can hardly be expected to lay so late into the autumn as the second year hens that did not begin laying until about August last as the latter were moulting during the autumn. It is better that the different ages be kept separate, or, where this is not practicable, that they be marked. Culling a Mixed Flock.

“In culling a mixed flock the following matters are worthy of attention: — “(1) Most birds that are two and a half years old and over should be put out as soon as they stop laying, for after the majority of hens have been through two laying seasons they are usually no longer profitable commercial egg-pro-ducers. However, if some of the two-and-a-half-year-old hens are of exceptional breed and type and still show vigour and activity, they should undoubtedly be retained for the breedingpen. Experience has shown that from a good flock of birds about 15 per cent, of these two-and-a-half-year-olds are fit to be retained for another breeding season.

“(2) The first birds of a given age to moult should be culled, for such birds are usually those of weaker constitution. The last birds to moult in a flock are generally the strongest and best producers. . ~ “(3) Any over-fat or exceptionally heavy hens for the breed they represent may also be culled; the fact of their becoming over-fat indicates that they are probably poor in respect to egg-produc-tion, for the exceptionally heavy hen is seldom a good producer. Over-fat Leghorns can usually be picked by their yellow legs and beak at this time of year. “(4) Birds showing want of vigour and vitality should be culled. These can be picked out by their want of activity aiw*. generally, looseness of feather, also dullness of head and eye. Physical activity is one. if not the chief, evidence of constitution and health. Slow-moving or sluggish birds are never heavy producers The lien that is constantly hunting for food and never seems satisfied with what is given her is usually among the best layers in the flock. The big eaters are, as a rule, the layers; they go t 0 roost late and are the first off in the morning. With layers, increased food consumption meaiw increased egg-production, and failing appetites a poorer egg yield. It therefore follows that the great egg-producers have a good crop capacity aud a s they are digesting a large quantity of food they usually possess a good depth of abdomen—in fact the deepest part of a good layer’s frame ie straight down from where the tail comes out of the body, **.nd the legs will be well back and set well apart. The he.ad points can hardly be overestimated when selecting layers. The best layers’ heads are usually inclined to be rather long for the breed they represent, fairly fine, but showing strength and character. The small, round, sparrow or pigeon-headed bird generally is the poor producer. “The comb of the ben which is laying heavily is of a rather pale red colour and has a warm waxy feeling. It should be of medium size and thickness, not coarse, but not flabby, anil with good layers the comb usually follows the line of the head and seldom does one find the best layers with a comb sticking up at the back. The wattles should be fine in texture and carried fairly close together, the eyes large, in fact the larger the better, also bright and prominent. The eyeball of the best layers, especially with heavy breeds, is generally situated a little back from the centre, whereas w'th the poor producer it is more toward ■he front of the socket and sunken. "Feathering is of importance. The strongest and best birds are usually flosely and tightly feathered. Softness

■ and looseness of feather generally belong to the coarse bird of slow maturity and low production. It will also be observed that the birds which show lack of confidence and which are nervous or wild, and those that remain at the back of the flock at feeding-time, are not among the best birds, but the best are often among those which are neither too tame nor too wild, and which are not easy to catch. “When culling Leghorns or any of the yellow-fleshed birds, the leg and beak colour are good guides to production. As a rule, when well-reared Leghorn pullets start to lay they have yellow legs and beaks, but as they continue laying the colour fades, first from the beak, then from the legs, so if one finds Leghorn hens at this time of the year with yellow legs and beaks it may be taken for granted that such birds have not done much laying for some time, and should be culled. Selection of Breeders. “After a flock has been culled, the best of those remaining should be selected .for the breeding-pen; and as the breedingpen is the foundation of the poultry industry, a poultryman’s success will depend largely on the care taken and knowledge shown in this branch of work. The three great essentials, to keep in mind when selecting breeding-stock are: (1.) purity of blood; (2) vigour and constitution ; (3) capacity to produce and reproduce. Purity of blood is mentioned first, for a poultryman can hardly expect to make much lasting progress if he breeds from mongrel stock, and has no definite standard at which to aim. It is also very desirable to know something of the history or pedigree of the birds to be bred from. A pure line from parents that have been noted for constitution and the production of good-sized eggs that produce good liveable chicks is what is needed. “The chief characteristics of the best birds will he approximately as follows: “Head fairly fine, showing strength and character, not coarse, but rather wide at the top, and of fair length. As before mentioned, low value is attached to the small, round, sparrow, or pigeon-headed birds.

“Comb of medium size and thickness, but not coarse or flabby. “Wattles of medium size, fine in texture, and carried close together. “Feathering hard, tight and dense, and often of a worn ' threadbare appearance. “Body will show length, depth, and width, with a good crop capacity and depth of abdomen; back rather flat with width carried well back to the tail. The texture of the abdomen should be fine, silky, and flexible to the touch. This is a most important point. Legs of a medium length carried well back, and wide apart.

“Size: It is well to keep a close eye on this point, for, as a general rule, the tendency is for the average size of a poultryman’s birds to get smaller. In fact, some poultry-keepers consider that a bird must be on the small size to be a good layer. The sooner, however, that we all realise that smallness is not the cause of good egg-production, but its effect, the better it will be for the industry. It is desirable that Leghorn hens that are picked as breeders weigh, say. from 41b. to 4Jlb. for eighteen-month-old birds, and 4Alb. to ojlb. each for two-and-a-half-year-old birds. “It is not often that the very early layers make the best breeders, which are generally a little longer than the very best layers in the flock, and come from those that develop their frames first and the internal organs ‘after. “There is a tendency with many poultry-keepers, when selecting their breeding hens, to go for numbers, often at the expense of quality. This is a great mistake. Years of experience show that, to get 40 per cent, of breeders from a good flock of eighteen-months-old birds, is doing very well.” Feeding Moulting Birds. 1

When birds are.casting their feathers they do not f have great appetites, but care snould be taken to see that they get sufficient food. However, as the moulting process advances there is a heavy strain on the system, and a more liberal supply of food is required. If insufficient food is given, says the Chief Government Poultry Instructor (Mr. C. J. Cussen), the growth of the new feathers is checked, but care must be taken not to fatten the hens. Though a liberal quantity is required at this time, the ration need not be so strong as that given when the birds are in full lay. A mash made up of two measures of pollard, one measure of bran, 2 per cent, linseed meal, 5 per cent, of meatmeal, and, twice a week, a tablespoonful of flowers of sulphur to each twenty fowls should give good results during the moulting period. The grain mixture may be made up of equal parts of wheat, barley, and broken maize. It is important to see that a regular and liberal supply of succulent green food be given. If the quarters are kept clean and dry and the birds fed regularly they will pass through the moult with little trouble. JJowever, extra care and attention during that time assist Nature and are amply repaid. Largest N.Z. Flock. A correspondent asks what is the largest commercial flock of fowls in New Zealand. It is stated that a Canterbury plant holds this distinction, the flock numbering over 9000 birds. EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Massey College Results Following is the 45th week’s results in the egg-laying contest conducted at Massey Agricultural College, Palmerston North: — SINGLE PENS. Section A.—R. M. Smith, W.L., No. 1 (5) 236; A. G. Mumby, W.L.. No. 1 (6) 234; Rangiuru Egg Ranch, W.L., No. 3 (5) 231; Miss H. Keddell, W.L., No. 1 (5) 226; G. E. Moody, W.L. (4) 225; Miss H. Keddell, W.L., No. 2 (5) 222; A. G. Mumbv, W.L., No. 4 (5) 220; J. Reilly, W.L., No. 2 (4) 201; Mrs. C. A. Stratford, W.L. (4) 201 x; A. E. Salisbury, W.L., No. 1 (5) 196; C. L. W. Urquhart, W.L. (6) 194 r; J. A. Annan. W.L. (5) 193; A. E. Salisbury. W.L., No. 3 (4) 190; J. Reilly. W.L., No. 1 (5) 182 r; Mrs. B. B. Andrews, W.L. (4) 170; A. G. Mumby. W.L., No. 3 (5) 166; A. A. Hoare, W.L.', No. 2 (5) 163: Moreland Bros., W.L. (4) 160; J. Mold, W.L. (5) 156; Rangluru Egg Ranch, W.L., No. 2 (4) 148; E. B. Wainscott, W.L. (5) 148; M. Stephenson, W.L. (4) 147; A. A. Hoare, W.L., No. 1 (5) 141; Miss E. Ladd, W.L. (4) 121; R. M. Smith, W.L., No. 2 (0) 120; C. H. Barker, W.L. (0) 112; Rangiuru Egg Ranch. W.L., No. 1 (0) 111; A. G. Mumby. W.L.. No. 2,82 d; A. E. Salisbury, W.L., No. 2,22 d; H. Polson, W.L., 12d. Section B. —J. H. Sutton, A.O. (3) 242 x; A. E. Salisbury. A. 0., No. 3 (0) 234 x: T. Dowthwaite, 8.0., No. 3 (4 ) 228 x; R. Feist, R.1.R., No. 2 (5) 224; A. E. Salisbury, A. 0., No. 2 (4) 209; J. Walker, A.O. (4) 208; A. E. Salisbury, A. 0.. No. 1 (5) 205; T. Dowthwaite, 8.0.. No. 2, 201<3; T. Dowthwaite, B. No. 1 (4) 198: R. Feist, R.1.R., No. 1 (4) 194; W. A. Larsen. A.O. (1) 188; J. D. Rowlands, R.I.R. (6) 176; G. A. Edge, R.I.R. (5) 164; F. Seymour. 8.0. (3) 154 x: Mrs. Norman Ross, A.O. (6) 153; R. M. Smith, 8.0. (2) 153: Norman Ross. 8.0., 143 d. TEAMS RESULTS. Section V (All W.L.). F. Ecob, No. 2: 187, .165, 166, 135, 203, 176 (28) 1032. M. Stephenson: 153, 188, 139, 156, 165, 164 (32) 965. F. Ecob. No. 1: 204, 94x, 134 d, 161. 157. 206 (19) 956. C. L. W. Urquhart: 150 x, 144, 163, 165. 154. 174 (18) 950. Mrs. G. E. Sewell: 151 x, 155, 172, 180, 144 x, 145 (31) 947. S. G. Batten: 148, 143, 153, 183, 144, 171 (24) 942. Argyle P.F.: 189, 160. 121, 162, 116, 134 (17) 882. Mrs. B. B. Andrews: 145, 166, 151, 129. 119. 139 r (25) 849. S. D. Morris: 162, 96, 97d, 193, 130, 133 (12 ) 801. J. Graham: 175. 103 x. 110, 146, 158 x, 115 (18) 807. E. W. Thompson: 105, 146, .186, 129, 126 r. 102 x (11) 794. Ralph Forlong: 165 d, 137, 167 x, lOld, 183, 148 (19) 752.

J. T. Hazelwood: 151, 149, 94, 78, 103, 163 (27) 738. A. J. Dudson: 135. 165, 116, 53, 134, 115 r (20) 718. Cotswold P.F.: 34d, 13Sx. 49d, 196, 146, 125 (19 ) 688. J. Wilson: 87, 35d, 133. 124, 143, 120 (45) 642. A. E. Salisbury: 100, 54d, 162, 109 x, 20, 190- (19) 641. D. M. Peek: 9d, 143, 72d, 65, 144, 188 (17) 621. Miss H. Keddell: 115. 151, 125, 35d, 50, 141 (15) 617. J. J. Faulkner: 181, 60, 96, 81, 94, 42d (19) 554. Penrose P.F.; 76x, 161 d, 30, 80d, 133 r, 57 (Si 537. 11. Polson: 64d, 126, 71r, 147, 119, Od (16) 527. Section D. Mrs. D. M. Waddell, B.O.: 233 x. 221 x, 177 x, 170 x, 145, 160 ( 28) 1106. W. A. Larsen, A. 0.: 181, 198, 177, 115, 160, 162 (15) 993. Cotswold P.F., A. 0.: 189 x, 165 x, 193 x, 147,198 x, 17d (21) 909. J. B. Duthie, No. 1, B.O.: 157 x, 175 x, 152 x, 87d, 133, 196 x (27) 900. F. A. Dewhurst, R.1.R.: 138. 199, 183, 91, 173, 104 (26) 888. Luke Fletcher, B.O.: 193, 129 d. 75rx, 142, 145, 178 x (17) 862. A. E. Salisbury, A. 0.: 156 x, 217 x, 165. 159 x, 18d, 147 r (20) 862. Mrs. R Willers, B.O.: 120, 113, 158 d, 193, 139. 125 (13) 848. Bliss Bros., R.1.R,: 149, 117, 79d, 135, 163, 188 x (11) 831. J. B. Duthie. R.1.R.: 148, 136, 121, 128, 95. 169 (9) 797. J. B. Duthie. No. 2, B.O.: 168, IOGx. 133, 86 174 x, 105 (16) 772. W. Fletcher, A. 0.: 99, 122 x. 143 , 26, 147. 175 (17) 712. G. A. Edge. R.1.R.: 107, 100, 133 x, 181, 62, 125 (19) 708. A. Thomson. A'.O.: 209 x, 30d, 135 x, 134 x, 129. Old (11) 60S. I. J. Grose, B.O.: 13lx, 118 x, 9Sx, GO. 95d, 151 (14) 653. “r” Replacement. “d” Bird dead. “x” Disqualified egg weight clause. Taranaki Competition The report for the 45th week in the ninth competition of the Taranaki EggLaving Competition Society is:— White Leghorns.—M. L. Williams. 4-192, ♦-143 *-212; Emery Bros.. 4-162,5-216, 0-98; D. M. Peek. 6-259. 3-213 , 2-167; K. B. Wainscott, 4-227, 5-215. 5-273: M. Stephenson 2-171, 4-233, 0-257; Cotswold Poultry Farm. 4-204. 5-256, 3-167; The Pines Poultry Farm. '5-225, 0-139, 4-189; Mrs. A. V,. Retell, 4-234, 5-201, 5-259; Mrs. R. R. Cannon. 6-257. 1-157, 5-190; C. L. W. Urquhart, 6-277 0-162, 3-177; Moreland Bros.. 3-207, 5-221, 1-180; C. L. Young. 0-105; Excelsior Poultry Farm, 3-181: D. Kruse, 3-200; Miss E. Ladd, 5-254; F. S. Phillips, 2-198. Brown Leghorns.—Hall Bros.. 4-184. 2-146, 0-129. G. C. Harding. 4-109: W. Busby. 4Minorcas. —J. Carlton, 0-129; W. Sellars. 5Anconas. —D. Kruse, 0-138. Australorps.—J. H. Sutton, 3-192. 5-180, 4- W. A. Larsen, 4-180, 6-194. *-17: Mrs. I. M. Plavle, 3-186: Miss M. Playle, 5-139; Mrs. R. H. Raynor, 4-162. Orpingtons. —Mrs. F. A. Warren, 6-274, 1-142, 3-170; Mrs. D. M. Waddell. 5-14-4, 5- 5-225; Miss D. Swadling, 0-176:_A. H. Nicholson. 4-137: Miss E. Ladd, 6-155. Rhode Island Reds.—J. H. Sutton. 0-109; W. Sellers. *-70; Mrs. W. 0. Gould. 6-199; C. C. Cleaver. 4-144. Sussex. —Miss D. Playle, 3-158. DUCKS. Fawn and White Indian Runners.—H. H. Melville. 0-9'J, 7-219, 0-150; Thos. Dowthwaite, 7-209. 5-171, 0-201; L. P. James. 6- 0-7. 6-273. Khaki Campbell.—C. A. Stratford, 7-228. LIGHT BREED: THREE-BIRD TEAMS.

1 Total Weekly to 2 3 total, date. M. L. Williams, W.L. .. 4 0 0 4 537 Emery Bros., W.L 4 o 0 9 506 D. M. Peek. W.L <> 3 *> 11. 113!) 715 E. B. Wainscott., W.L. . 4 o 14 M. Stephenson, W.L. .. 2 4 6 12 631 Cotswold P.F., W.L. ... 4 o 3 12 627 The Pines P.F., W.L. .. 5 0 4 j) •>•>.» Mrs. A. W. Revell, W.L. 4 5 o 14 694 Mrs. R. R. Cannon, W.L. 6 1 o 12 (»04 C. L. W. Urquhart. W.L. 6 0 3 0 BIB Moreland Bros.. W.L. .. 3 1 9 608 Hall Bros., B.L 4 2 0 6 459 HEAVY BREED. J. H. Sutton. Aus 3 5 4 12 54S W. A Larsen, Aus. .. 4 fl 0 10 391 Mrs. F. A. 'Warren, 0. . f> 1 3 10 .►Sb Mrs. D. M. Waddell. 0. o o 15 022 DUCKS. 11. 11. Molvlljlc •> 7 0 7 IBS B41 Thus. Dnwtbwalte .... 7 n 0 12 L. P. James 0 0 6 6 492 •Signifies dead. bird.