MOULTING SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 24

MOULTING SEASON

AUTUMN EGG PRODUCTION

For the next three montns the egg supply will come mainly from the pullet flock. All adult birds, if not already in moult, will soon be, and while these hens will produce some eggs their average layings will be very low. Because a hen moults early it is a mistake to think she will start laying again before the others. She may do so, but she will seldom lay well. All pullets should now be permanently housed and suitably graded for size and age. The housing of pullets is always a problem when the maximum number of birds are being carried-, since one is reluctant to sell hens which are still in production. Actually, it is necessary to have some spare sheds. To overtax accommodation is to invite loss, and if more birds than usual are being carried, the aged hens should be sold before Christmas rather than be carried on until they show signs of starting to moult.

Great care should be taken with the management of the pullets, for although they might commence laying they are not really mature until they are twelve months old and they require expert feeding and management. Any sudden change in rations or management will mean a drop in egg production and possibly a false moult. These false moults are very common with pullets, and sometimes extend for several weeks, while at other times only a few neck feathers will be lost. The amount of grain and roughage should be increased, and yellow maize is of particular value for early autumn feeding. Maize is a poultry grain which is not fully appreciated, and provided the protein proportion of the Iration is increased, egg production and general health will improve with a diet of all maize as grain feed. Wheat is expensive today, and many are again feeding Australian barley. Pullets in particular seem to need plenty of roughage, such as green feed and roots (carrots or mangolds when ripe). If they are short of greens owing to dry weather the amount of bran can be increased, or mash hoppers of bran can be placed in the pens so the birds can help themselves. If fresh range is available allow the pullets to run out, but it is a good plan to keep them indoors in the mornings provided that they are liberated at the same time each day.

Attempts have been made to moult the adult hens ;early by starvation with the object of increasing the late autumn egg production. General experience shows, however, that this is not always profitable, as sometimes the hens "hang" in the moult and no amount of coaxing will bring them back into lay. One Auckland egg producer has a system of management which, he states, keeps his hens laying longer than most. He has double runs at the back and front of his sheds, and when one run is empty it is immediately cultivated with a small rotary hoe and sown down in oats or barley. Sowing is arranged so that growth is ideal for grazing about the middle of February, and the hens are turned on to the newly-grown runs when they begin to slacken in production. The value of the new greens and the exercise obtained from a fresh run keeps the hens in better health. The ground is piped with a waterspray system so that growth is maintained even in very dry weather.

It is a mistake to force,the pullets too hard, even if eggs are valuable at the time. If 50 per cent, production can be maintained then good results are being procured, for it must be remembered that egg production in the autumn is against Nature's programme. While some poultrymen consider that early-hatched pullets give the best results, others contend that the laterhatched ones, which commence laying in April, give the highest profits. Certainly the later-hatched pullets, if well reared, run no risk of a false moult, and will continue laying well Without any breaks. Pullets of the dual purpose breeds, such as Australorps, and Rhode Island Reds, usually lay more steadily than White Leghorns, though usually they take about a month longer to mature. FREE ADVISORY SERVICE. The poultry instructors of the Department of Agriculture will give advice to anyone who is interested. It is understood that this service will be. extended by the appointment of additional instructors. Many leading poultrymen are also quite capable of offering sound advice. Poultry shows and egg-laying contests are a source of education, but unfortunately they have been commercialised to a large extent. Not one visitor in 50 really looks at the competing birds. He. looks at the prizes. The small household flock will remain for many years. It is important, however, that such fowls are kept under reasonable sanitary conditions and that the owners contribute towards any organised effortl which improves the profit to be made from poultry-keep-ing. The principle of the survival of the fittest will not work, because for every inefficient poultry-keeper that "goes under" two equally inefficient novices will take his place. SEASONAL POINTERS. Check over the pullets that are not laying and dispose of those that have taken too long to mature. These are usually coarse-boned birds which seldom make good layers. Increase the amount of grain feed as the weather becomes cooler. At all costs the body weight of the pullets must be maintained if regular good egg production is desired. Supply ample fresh greens..

Keep the nests clean and the work of cleaning the eggs will be reduced and the quality of the eggs improved. Use china dummy eggs to entice the hens to use all the nests provided.

Give the grass runs a spell if possible. If the grass rooting system is killed, fresh seed is essential. If the yards are bare, too many birds are being kept on the run.

Trim back hedges and shelter trees to allow sunlight into the yards. Plan any fresh plantings now and prepare the ground. Cool winds will check egg production more than wet weather. Remove poultry manure off the plant. It contains disease which at all costs must be destroyed! Coccidiosis "eggs" can remain viable for as long as

a year. Do not isolate valuable aged male birds for too long a period. Periodically they should be run with a few females, and as long as they have a few weeks' rest before the breeding season there is little harm in leaving them with their mates.

Young stud cockerels should be kept away from hens until about six weeks before fertile eggs are wanted. Once

mated they should be left with some females.

Keep culling and increase the profits. Most poultrymen make the rounds once a iortnight, removing unprofitable bird's.

Carefully check over all young stud cockerels for faults, and make certain that'there are a few spare birds above next season's requirements.

All cleaning out work should be completed as soon as possible and the chick sheds for next season should be prepared now. If fresh earth is required in the sheds, this should be carted after a dry spell and every care taken to see that earth floors are kept bone dry. ■ Dampness breeds disease and many chicks are lost each season by being placed in sheds with damp earth floors.

Tar and creosote make an excellent preservative mixture. Use about half and half and either paint on with a brush or spray with a force pump. All woodwork should be saturated on a hot, dry day. Fencing posts should be treated at ground level before erection, whilst inside the sheds the mixture can be used as a preventive to red mite infestation.

Those who intend exhibiting fowls this coming season should go over their birds now carefully for fowl lice. These eat the growing feathers, leaving ugly marks and often spoiling the feathering so much as to make the bird useless for exhibition purposes. Black Leaf 40 can be used on the perches or a few drops placed on the breastbone at night time. Any good dusting powder will be effective but treatment must be repeated if the lice are at all numerous.

Remember the mistakes made in previous hatching seasons. Plan now to avoid any congestion of work during the busy period. If need be, employ' extra help rather than,spoil the young stock by lack of attention. At all costs plan how many chicks will be required for farm use, where they will be brooded, and prepare range for them after being weaned.