SEASONAL WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 28

SEASONAL WORK

SETTING OF EGGS

With July enters the busy season for all poultry-keepers. A few of the larger poultrymen have already their first incubator chicks out in the brooders and many are setting eggs immediately. Two reasons why the hatching season is prolonged over /several months exist, firstly, so that the maximum number of chicks can be hatched from specially-selected breeding stock and; secondly, in order to make full use of the costly. appliances used for hatching and rearing chicks. If only a few chicks are required, they are best hatched in August or September for then little trouble will result from false autumn moults.

Recent heavy rains have found the weak spots in shedding accommodation, and when the litter inside the sheds, becomes damp serious drops in flock egg production will result. At all cost the litter must be ample and dry at this time of the year. Greenfeed will soon be in short supply and root crops will have to be used, particularly carrots ' which have been proved easily the best. Use the red kind as they will supply the colouring matter to produce those rich golden yolks. If the amount of maize being fed has not already been increased, give more now as not only is the price right, but the birds appreciate more fattening food at this.time of the year. Use either the small round maize or else kibbled, and again use yellow maize in preference to white.

Just as soon as a batch of eggs is set in the incubators, it is most important to consider preparing the shed for the chicks. With so much wet weather it is always difficult to secure dry sand or earth for use under the brooders and dampness will surely cause chilling of the chicks. If a brooder must be placed on damp ground, then it will pay to place down a couple of lengths of rubberoid or other insulating material to prevent moisture rising out of the ground. Tarsealed floors are becoming more tnd more popular as ideal for poultry and chicken sheds. •

Many of the adult hens are returning to the lay and egg prices have shown a marked drop. It may be adivisable to have another check over the selected breeders to make certain that they are the best available. Carefully examine all heavy breed studs in order to reject those carrying too much abdominal fat and keep a sharp look-out for body lice, which are often a cause of poor fertility. In sheds with solid floors and where the birds are not allowed a run out, they must be provided with dusting boxes. Do not mate up old cock birds that are not yet fully through the" moult and expect 100 per cent, fertility. Take special care with the selection of the eggs placed in the incubators. Egg shape and size and shell texture are all hereditary and only well-shaped eggs, over two ounces in weight, and of the correct colour, should be incubated. Avoid setting any freak large eggs as these seldom give good results, and avoid any that have slight bumps or ridges on the shells. For the best results all hatching eggs should be perfectly clean when collected and they should be stored in a cool place and turned once daily until required for setting. The best results are always obtained from fresh eggs, those less than a week old being preferred. Shell texture is, most important and all eggs should have a glossy "fresh" appearance, those eggs having a rough or thin shell being rejected.