POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 143, 13 March 1937, Page 30

POULTRY NOTES

The Influence of Weather

OBSERVATIONS OF AN AUTHORITY

(By

New Laid.)

The effect of weather conditions on poultry is a, matter which is liable to be overlooked when causes of unsatisfactory results are being investigated. \\ bile birds will keep in health and production under a wide variety of weather conditions. extremely hot or cold weather will have :iu adverse effect on them, as also will high winds, snow, fog. prolonged rainfall and drought. The first effect of changes m atmospheric temperature, says Leonard Robinson. writing in "Eggs,” England, is to alter the rate at which the body loses heat, the lower the temperalure the.greatcr the heat loss, and vice versa, but.the actual loss is not controlled by t'miperaturc alone, for in cold weather a bird conserves heat by bolding the feathers closer to the body." On the contrary, in hot weather the feathers are raised, the wings held away from the body, while cooling is further accelerated by rapid breathing through the mouth. Hence the distressed I appearance of birds in very hot weather, i Prolonged exposure to rain results in rapid loss of heat, for the feathers are not waterproof; they arc useful during a shower, but. like a light raincoat, will not withstand a continuous downpour. As everyone knows, evaporation results in cooling, and lhe body surface, when wet. loses heat very rapidly, although it ;s controlled to some extent by the circulation of the blood immediately beneath the skin. Cooling of the surface tissues drives the blood inward, thus reducing loss of heat, but should this cooling amount to chilling, the sudden inrush of blood may result in congestion of the lungs or pneumonia. The effect of cold air is intensified in windy weather for the very simple reason that the more rapidly air passes over the body. the greater the loss of bent.

| There may not appear to be a ver) close relationship between these things and the health and production of the , flock. It. seems as if we are confusing theory with practice. Actually this is not so. because the temperature of the body must be maintained if the bird is to remain in health. This loss of heat can be made good only by oxidation in the tissues of material carried there by the blood, and obtained originally from the food, although at a particular time a bird may be drawing upon reserves (fat and starch) stored in the body. The greater the loss, the greater must be the proportion of food used in making good the loss. In spite ot this, very eold weather is preferable to the blazing heat of summer. In hot weather there is a slowing down of the hotly processes, the birds seek the shade, take more rest, consequently appetites flag and production declines. Moderate temperatures with clear bright days ore undoubtedly the most favourable lor health and production. Cold Can Stimulate.

Moderate exposure to cold weather is undoubtedly beneficial. It has a stimulating effect on the birds, and improves the appetites and general tone of the body. One has only to compare birds kept in a more or less constant temperature with those running into the cold to realise the effect of "air-stimulation.” However, moderate exposure during the dav when shelter may be obtained is very different from exposure at night. During sleep body processes are retarded and vitality is said to be at a low ebb. It is at this period that birds are most susceptible to infection, when they are compelled to spend long hours under adverse conditions. A healthy environment during the hours of rest is a matter of supreme importance. Apart from the direct physical effect of exposure, weather conditions affect poultry in other ways. - Strong winds, for example, cause nervousness, consequently there is poor assimilation of food, which invariably results in a drop, or possibly a slump in production. Of course, there is considerable difference in the effect, of adverse conditions on. individual birds, but as a rule production falls following gales. Cold winds will cause a decline in production, fertility and hatchability.

The effect of frost, provided the weather is calm, is indirect rather than direct. Birds are well protected against cold ; the practical difficulty arises iu providing them with water witli tlie chill off. It is on account of its being frozen or icy cold that eggs become both fewer and smaller. Cold water is not appreciated during frost. The minimum quantity is, therefore, consumed, with a result well known to the practical man. Two or three days of foggy weather is sufficient to cause a fall in production. The cold, damp, atmosphere, together with the reduction in the intensity of light, are factors which are bound to have a bad effect on production, and this is possibly further affected by the bird’s nervous temperament.

One effect of long exposure to rain, cold winds or draughts in the houses is diarrhoea, due to the birds contracting eolds which affect the bowels rather than the head. It will frequently occur after much rain and wind, and should this coincide with the introduction of a consignment of food there is a possibility of the latter being suspected. Diarrhoea from colds is probably more common than many of us believe. Sometimes entire flocks are badly affected. , Although birds kept in total confinement in well constructed houses are uot affected by the weather to the same extent as birds on range, it must not be thought, that their health and production are entirely independent of it. This is fur from being the case. Violent gales and severe frosts, especially where no provision is made to supply drinking water with the chill off. will cause a tali in production, whether the birds are kept on range, intensively, or in a battery. Nothing can be done to counteract the effect of weather on poultry beyond paying . attention to the usual points collectively referred to as "management.” Fortunately vigorous birds, well fed and well housed, and provided with reasonable shelter when on exposed range, will tolerate a great diversity of climatic conditions. and yet remain healthy, but whether they will continue in production is a very different matter. A violent storm may upset all calculations. Selecting Breeding Stock.

Success in breeding for a high standard p &£ production depends primarily on the selection of the breeding stock. Too otten pedigree of performance is given first consideration when breeders are ue* ing chosen, whereas the health history of the birds selected is of oven greater importance. However good a bird’s ‘record of performance may be, when it comes to breeding it must give way to health history. No bird should be used as a breeder if he or she or a parent has at any time shown lack of stamina or bodily fitness. Any defect in the male has a particularly far-reaching effect as he influences the whole of tlie progeny from all the females in the pen. In the absence of knowledge of the health history of birds the breeder must roly on those external indications which arc generally regarded as more or less reliable guides tn health and vigour In selecting along thesp lines first choose (hr birds on the run for a good carriage, gait, and a general appearance of sprightliness and vivacity in movement whicn are recognised as signs of the qualities desired in a breeder. A healthy vigorousbird is always a good mover. Next handle the birds. The body should feel firm and fleshy when in health, and the shanks and ' feet warm. Cold shanks are an indication ! of poor constitution. The back should be) farrly • long- and br«»ad.--especially -acriniu the “.addlr the body deep with consider-| abb’ width behind. nd «he leg-- of nie- i <lium length, straight. and sot well apart.! Short, well-worn claws arc signs of a worker in scratching for fo»xl. The eye is a most important point and needs to bp carefully examined. In a healthy bird it u> very bright, bold, and rather prominent,

with a large black pupil ami perfectly round. Any dullness or irregularity in the outline of the pupil o r a break or loss of colour in the iris is a sign of degeneracy, anil denotes a tendency to blindness ami to those ailments which are characterised by eye trouble. Tight feathering is a sure indication of health. If the breeding pen can be stocked with hens so much the better, but if pullets must he used they should he well-matured birds hatched in the early spring of the previous season.

Making up the breeding pens is an allimportant part of the poultry-breeder's work and should be undertaken well in advance of the hatching season. Ou this mating depends the future of the industry, and it undoubtedly governs success in batching and rearing. Breeding from Sexed Chicks.

There is a belief in many ipnirters that chickens which have passed through the bunds of sexers are not suitable to breed from. A prominent New South Wales breeder who hits bred from sexed stock for two years recently expressed the opinion that provided the work has been done by a qualified sexer and not a novice there is no foundation for such a belief. Outsizes in Eggs.

An egg weighing GJoz. was laid re<-<-tilly by a White Wyandotte hen owned by Mr. W. F. Hibbs, of Tiddingtou. Stratfmd-on-Avon. according to an English poultry journal. When broken the egg was found to contain a volk and am ordinal) ~*lielleil egg weighing 2uz. Unusually large eggs are credited to another English bird—a While Leghorn owned by Miss Peters, of llinstock One weighed (lioz. and another snz.. Inside each of these eggs was another perfectly shelled ami shaped egg of normal size Laying Averages.

The following table published in "I’,ml. try. ’ New South Wales, gives the general monthly laying average per fowl in the laying competitions:—

, All examination of the analysis of statistics compiled by Major bin Mncdoiigall, secretary of the National Poultry Council (England), of the birds entered at this year’s recognised laying trials, reveals that in spite of efforts which were made to encourage entries there has been a decline ill the total number of birds entered which approximates live per eent.--20.-l l I against 21.112 in th,, previous. tests. Rhode Islands, says H. Strike, writing i„ "Eggs,” continue to

predominate, and in spite of everything, they still muster a total of 9233, which fs roughly three times as many as that of atty oiler breed. There lias been, however, a rather serious drop in the entry, for compared with the previous year’s trial, they arc 700 fewer. White Wyandottes are second favourites with a total of 3301. but their decline from the previous year is even more serious ou a percentage basis. White Leghorns were claimed to be staging a "come-back,” but this year's tests indicate that they are scarcely holding their own. for they are about 400 fewer than in the previous trials —3113 against 3302. Light Sussex, on the other hand, make themselves distinctive by the fact that they are the only "popular” breed which has made a substantially increased entry, an indication of their growing popularity. In the 1933-3 G trials 1929 birds of this breed were entered, and this time the number has gone up to 2190. Black Leghorns fell from 709 to 072. The remainder of the figures indicate that there tire breeders here and there who are trying out the less popular breeds.. * Martins. White Orpingtons. Brown Sussex. Gold Laced Wyandotles. and Black Wymondbams are all featured in very '■mall numbers, as also are f'ambars. Barnevelders. White Bresse. Buff and Exchequer Leghorns. Rocks, both Buff and Barred, appear to be holding their own. and there is an cnlrv of 307 Buffs and 15 Barreds. numbers which are very little different from n year .*igo. Anemias are also being persevered with and n bigger interest seems to be taken in both Brown Leghorns and White Sussex.

EGG-LA YING CONTESTS IMassey College Final Results rtie felloe inc are tin. ollicial u iiim-r- r.f the -ixtli animal egg laying <*mitest, which iiiiii.lihli’il nt Masse)- I'ollege on March 11, lieii'g for 51 > n ooks' priuluet lon. (inly iliose l.irils .imilifyiiig iimlor the egg-weight regtilmimi- are eligible for prizes. singi.i; i'ii.xs. Sei-lion A. Ilich.rt acm-e. Mr. A. <;. Miinilty's illeretaiinc:i) While I.eglmrii. with 2it'J eggs. Section B. Highest seer... Mr. it. i'.-i.-i's iMartinI.oroiieh i itlioili’ l-kinil lleij, with -_*m Si'eiions A .-uni It. Silicle Pen t'lip. Iliclie.-t score belli si.clions, Mr. A, G. Munibv's ilti-ri-t.-iniigii i Wliii.. Leghorn, with egg.-.. iiTHBlt SPECIALS. Silver Ill'll 'tropliy ivalip. g -tin.-Mr. C. Millnliy's l I 1.-ri.la iingn i While Leghorn bon. highesl iniliviilmil seme all Leghorn entries, with 2ii2 I'ggs. Illiodo Island Keil ('lull's Hose Bowl; for highest iniliviilmil Khode Island Bed.—Mr. B. Feist's i Marlinlii.iroiigti) Kod. will, 21(1 llia'tiosi Individual. All Sei-tious.-Mr. A. G. Muniby's (lloi-etainiga) White Leghorn, with 2(t2 eggs. <?ei'tilii.|iti.s (,f merit awarded to Miss H Koddell ill. A. G. Mnmbv fit. Kangi-ui-ii Egg Kaneli (1). K. M. Smith (1). TEAMS’ PENS. Sections <' and l>. Tlie Golden Egg Trophy. Tu the leant si-oring tin' highest nnnilior of ecg.s in both sections.--. Mr. I-’. Eenb's (Trentliain) While Leghorn-., witli 11511 eggs. The Silver Egg Tropliy. To tin* team .-eiirin'.- tin* highest number of eggs, in ilio opposite section to the winners of tin* (.olden Egg Tropliy.-Mr. W. A. Larsen's ( 1-1*11(11110) Aiistralorps. with Kino cgg.s The Breeder's Trophy. Awarded to the team scoring i ho most points I'm* nninbo'lit ergs, nunliiy of eges and breed points -Air. S. G. P.alten's (Taraparaiimii) White Leeliorns. with lull oges. The I.ord Greenway Cup. Awarded to lhe team of six Itln.de Island lied pullets laying greatest number of eggs.—Mr. F. A:

Oewburst'H (Auckland) Khode Island Ileds, ■with 1003 eggs. final Week’s Results. Tlie fiftieth week's results are as follows SINGLE PENS. Section A. A. G. Mnnibv, W.L., No. 1 ItJl 262; It. M. Smith. W.L., No. t I I) 25(5; Miss IL Koddell, W.L.. No. 1 ill) 253: Kangiui'ii Egg Knneli. W.L. No. 3 (2) 251; Miss (I. Ki*ddoll. W.L.. No. 2 I.D 218; A. G. Mnnibv. W.L.. No. t is> 217: G. E. Moody. W.L.. i2i 230; Mrs. C. A. Stratford. W.L.. (4) 22iix: ,1. Reilly, W.L.. No. 2 (5) 221; ,1. A. Annan. W.1... (5i 221 ; A. E. Salisbury, W.L., No. 1 (4) 2111; C. L. W. ITquhart, W.L., 15) 21Sr; A. E. Sallsburv, W.L.. No. 3 (2) 207: .1. Reilly, W.L., No. 1 (5) 206 r; Mrs. B. H. Andrews. W.1,., (4) IU2; A A. Hoare, W.L., No. 2 15) 11)1: J. Mold, W.L., (111 183; A. G. Mumbv. W.L., No. 3 (2) IS2: Moreland Bros.. W.L., (4) ISI : Kangiiit'ii Egg Ranch, W.L.. No. 2 (4) Kill; A. A. Hoare, W.L.. No. 1 (4) UH; M. Stephen sou, W.L.. (0) 160: E. B. Wainscott. W.L., (0) 151; Miss I). Ladd, W.L., (5) 141; 11. M. Smith. W.L.. No. 2 (0) 120; C. 11. Barker, W.L., (0) 112: Rangiuru Egg Ranch, W.L., No. 1 (0) 111: A. G. Muniby, W.L.. No. 2 S2il: A. E. Salisbury. AV.L., No. 222 d; 11. Polson, IV.L., 12d. Section B. .1. 11. Sutton. A. 0.. (5 ) 266 x ; A. E. Salisbury, A. 0., No. 3 id) 2(',2x: T. Dowthwalt.e. 8.0.. No. 3 (I!) 254 x: R. Feist. R. 1.11. No. 2 Id) 240: A. E. Salisbury, A. 0., No. 2 |5) 235; A. E. Salisbury. A. 0.. No. 1 id) 226; .lolin Walker, A. 0.. fl) 226; T. Dowthwaite, 8.0.. No. 1 (5) 221); It. Feist. K.1.R., No. I (.11 206: J. D. Howlands, R.1.1t.. (6) 203; T. Dowthwaite, 8.0., No. 2 201(1: W. A Larsen. A. 0.. ISSd : G. A. Edge. 1t.1.11.. G) ISS: Mrs. Norman Ross. A. 0., (7) 173; T'. Seymour, U. 0., (3) l(!Sx; R. M. Smith, 8.0., (3) 1117: Norman Ross, 8.0., 143 d.

TEAMS’ RESULTS. Section C. (All W.L.) F. Ecoli. No. 2: 20l>. 18ft, th! 13'Jd 220 196 1241 11.’ill. M. Stephenson: 181, 212. 158 171) IS7, Will (26) 1108. .Mrs. G. E. Sewell: 175 x. 179, 193. 208, 168 x. 176 (30) 1093. I-’. Ecoll. No. 1 : 231. 94x, 13ld. 180. IS2, 231 12H) 1052. S. G. Halton: 1 IS, Isn. 179. 206 Ills 193 (Wi 1011. G. L. W. I rqiihnrt: 152 x, 160, 172, 176, 177. 192 Gil 1029. Arevlc Poultry I'arin: 214. 181. 123, 187. I.TJ. 137 (2li 971. Mrs. 11. P. Andrews: 167, 193, 178 147 120. Il’idr 120) 1)71. 11 W. Thompson: 112, 172, 210. 113 150 r II lx- 1'23) SUS. •I. Graham: 191. HOx. 110 17.3 179 c 115 (18) 8.81. (liwsn Morrii ' : 170 ' |IS ' !,7(1 * -” 1 ’ 14< j* 133 •I. T. Hazelwood: 178. 172, 111, 97 12'2 18, (28) 867. Ralph Furlong: lild, 162, 192 x, 101 d "07 166 1'21) SI I. ’ ‘ ’ A. .1. Dndson: 162, ISO, 131, 53d, 118 l.'llr 122) 811. Cotswold PoiNlt'v Farm: 3ld, 147 x -llld 22(1. 171, 113 116) 779. ■i’jl.^bur.v: 125. 54d, 189. 130 x. 13, J. Wilson: 98. 35d. 144. 1,39. 157. 1 HI (18) Miss IL Reddell: 13.3. 177. 153. .35(1. 59, 161 118) 799. D. M. Peek: 9d. Itts. 72d, 72, I7ti 297 (1.3) ('.95. .1. I. Fatilkucr: 2i>s. 61. 116. US. 115 I", 1 (15) it. 37. 11. Polson: Old. 147, 72d. 161. 1,31). nd <l4 ) SSG. i’enros,. Poultry Farm: 83x, 161 d, 30 SOd I.i9r, 57d (8 ) 570. Section I>. | Mrs. I>. M. Waddell. B.O.: 2J'.W "|S X 203 x. 176 x. 159. 17.3 (22) 121Sx. " ' M . A. Larsen. A. 0.: 202 213 191 1.3 G 177. 171 HI) 1(190. ’ ’ .T. B. Dnthie, No. 1. B.O.: ISa.v. 202 x 164. x Sid. 151. 21Sx (17) KHV.x. F. A. Dewhurst, R. 1.11.: 159. 225 "09 ‘)1 290. 119 i'2o) 100.3. ’ ... Cotswold Poultry Farm. A.O : 2lox IS9v 199 x, 165, 'JISx, 17d (I I i roSx. A. E. Salisbury. A. 0.; IG.'y "liv 175 185 x. ISd. 175 r i'2S) <)s9v ’’ n*.*' u ,','T Fletcher. B.O.: 211, 12t)d, 7Srx, 167. ibb. 202(1 ( ) 1"6 l "t i ox ß 7''"j’ 9*t’ R ’ : G4 ’ ™' " !l - Mrs. It. XVillors, B.O.: 121. 1.32, I.VSd '■<«) 117. Ill) IIS) 907. .1. B. Dutliio. No. 2. B.O.: p. 12. Kltlx 14,3 102. UiOx. 121 GO) Ss|. ' .1. 11. Dutliio, R. I. it.: 155. lag p_.j t|,; 102. 169 Hl) 8211. G. A. Edge. 1t.1.1t.: 12ii. 115 150 x "0-1 7d. 15U (11) 815. ’’

23.-IV, .30(1, Idlx. 164 x, J-J. bi (J ij 4 ) 7sox. 168 V l9?^74 A - O - : " U - 1 " J ’ bamisiiTrnßitx 0 --' h ’ ,x ’ , -’ ,x ’ *T" Replaci'lllent. "il" Bird dead. "x” Disqualified egg-welght clause.

.Month .w year 2nd 3rd yea r April 5.0 2.38 -May ..., ... 12.0 4.0 June ... ... 14.5 (1.0 1.37 Julv ... 18.0 12.4 7.65 August ... 21.05 18,1 1 13.2 September .. 21.5 10.6 14.3 October ... 21.25 20.5 15.0 November .. 18.4 17.0 13.3 December .. 17.0 17.8 12.7 January ... 15.0 ,14.2 11.8 February ... 14.15 12.3 8.8 March ... 12.22 0.4 5.46 English Laying Tests.