POULTRY NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19776, 28 January 1928, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

[By UTILITY-FAINCY.]

“ Dunedin.”—There are differences of opinion amongst those qualified to speak by their practical experience as to whether the cost of the electric lighting of poultry houses is justified by the extra yield which results, or which is claimed to result, from its use. For your information 1 reproduce in this week’s notes an article taken from Hoard’s ‘ Dairyman ’ on the subject of artificial lights. “ B.J.”—The Campions arc very nice, showy birds, and were you to advertise you would no doubt soon hear from some New Zealand breeders. They arc good layers of good-sized eggs, but arc themselves on the small side, the cockerels being even less saleable than .White Leghorns. As a fancy bird, they are ornamental, and when present add to the attractions of a show. Mr and Mrs 11. W. Hawke have returned from their visit to Canada and the World’s Congress, and it is the intention of the New Zealand Utility Club to tender them a welcome. No doubt, they will have some interesting things to tell us auent the congress and also respecting the industry m Canada. Over-hoatcrs.—That well-known atic. expcrienced breeder Mr Rostock Smith grV y S: —“Wo have Instances where chickens have perished from cold in the brooder, but the “ over-heaters ” are vastly in the majority, and for every case of failure through chilling _ one hears of there arc hundreds of failures through stifling and semi-cooking. The latter calamity is generally due to an exaggerated fear that the youngsteis are not warm enough. The youngsters are killed by mistaken kindness. Brooders and rearers should alwavs be brought into action a da.v or two before the chicks are introduced. Tins ensures that the machine is properly warmed through. I'or a start SOdeg Fahrenheit is ample, even in the bitterest weather. The temperature should be reduced gradually, so that it is down to 60 by the time tho chicks are three weeks old, or even two weeks if the weather is mild. 'The natural heat from the bodies of the birds will, in a few hours, increase that of _tbe brooder 4deg or sdog—say, Irom 75 to 80. As the chicks grow tho heat from their bodies becomes greater in volume if not in height, and you can safely reduce the lamp heat correspondingly, having some regard, of course, to tho prevailing weather. At six weeks, if the weather is open, the lamp can be dispensed with altogether. It is important that the youngsters should be allowed to run in and out of the brooder as early as possible and as much as possible. Worth Noting.—A visitor to Canady from England camo across a. stud ot Barred Rocks, whore very high records were obtained, and was told that tho best-looking and most vigorous cockerels came from the small-egg hens I This is not surprising and evidently did not surprise the visitor in question, lor, as he says, it is a common experience of breeders of highly-fccund stock. There nro those dandy little lions with perfect heads, small bodies, lino bone, and .weighing lib below the average ot their breed. They begin to lay early and they stop late. Sonic of them clou t stop at all, but go on right through the moulting period, dropping a feather here and a feather there, but not perceptibly moulting. Their eggs hover between loz 11*1 rs (by courtesy called 2oz). Their Icnility is high, eggs batch well, and chickens are full of vim. The cockerels are especially good, and having inherited the precocity of their dam, they luniish early and attract the eye of the novice buyer. These cockerels are dangerous to breed from, so when yon arc choosing a sire for your breeding pen remember that, although you want a, masterful bird, one that can hold its own and be attentive and gallant, he must not on any account ho Irom n hen the layer of small eggs, unless yon are satisfied with eggs that are discounted for their size on the market. The question of feeding ana sitfe ol eggs is one which is received by ncai l.v every post at this season of tho teal. Jn the first place, remember that size of the egg is an inherited factor. It the pullet has inherited the small egg factor, nothing wo can do in the way of feeding will enable her to lay a larger one. The best of ioecling cannot" cause her to lay an egg larger than th§ size she has inherited. But, to take the other side of the question, we may feed her so badly during the rearing period that she may be stunted in the development; and this will apply equally to her bodily development and to that of tho reproductive organs; she may lay a great number rf small eggs. A pullet whoso bodily development has been checked _ by underfeeding will not lay good-sized eggs. The question of they pullet laying the size of tho egg which she has

inherited is, in the main, one of bodily condition. Jf she is in good condition she will do so; if not, the egg will be smaller than the inherited size. There ma” bo factors which will prevent assimilation of food, which would be conducive to poor bodily condition and small eggs—Hoc, for example, worms, exposure" bad housing, overcrowding, etc. There is no feeding for larger eggs. If von feed for bodily condition yon will got them, providing always that the pullet has inherited the larger egg factors. Relative Value of Concentrates.— Feeds with a high percentage of protoin are known as il concentrates. They are also, as a rule, characterised bv a. low fibre content. They enrich tho “ meal ” portion of the ration, and are not home-grown, but are'for the most part by-products, and must be purchased. On the economic purchase of these feeds, rich in protein, will very largely depend the profits to be made from'milk, meat, egg, and wool production. Tho “concentrates are the by-products nf various industries; cereal concentrates such as bran, shorts, middlings, and feed Hour result from the milling of wheat; gluten feed from the manufacture of corn starch; dried grains from the brewing or distilling industries; and fish and meat products from the fish canneries and packing houses. The protein of these products is present in widely varying amounts, and hence arises tho necessity of scanning the analysis of a concentrate in order to determine its value. Tim accompanying table furnishes tho usual limits in protein of the commoner meals:— . Concentrates. Protein percent. Bran Shorts Id— Middlings 16—20 Feed flour 14.5—18 oluten feed 25—30 Dried grains (brewers’ and distillers’) ... "o—3Linseed oil cake ... 33—38

Cotton seed meal 26—43 Peanut meal 28—45 Soybean meal 38—45 Meat meal, moat scrap, and digester tankage ..._ ... 47—60 Meat and bone meal, digester meat and bone tanknee 40—55 Blood meal Fish meal 00 6°

From this tabic it is apparent that concentrates may enrich the protein content of the ration by very different amounts. They fall, generally speakince, into 111 roo classes —first, tlio nullinf' hv-products with a range of protein content of 15 to 20 per cent.; second, distillery and brewery by-pro-ducts and the meals and “cakes” of oil-bearing seeds such as flax seed, cotton seed, peanuts, etc., containing from 20 to 45 per cent, protein; and, third, tbnso richest in protein, tho products of tho packing houses and fish canneries, containing from 45 to 75 per cent, protein. These very'wide variations in protein content and tho fact that “concentrates” are high-priced products emphasise the necessity of carefully noting the analysis (and particularly the percentage of protein) of a concentrate before making a purelm so. From the analytical data some estimate of the money value of the product may bo made, and at tiro same time an' approximation reached as to the amount required to properly balance the ration. At the recent London dairy show an Indian Game cockerel that Jrad won third prize was claimed at £SO. and a ■Rhode Island Red cockerel changed hands at £SO. Respecting tho firstmentioned transaction, it has often happened that a purchaser has offered more money for even an unplaced bird than ho would give for either of the winners, It is no reflection (or not ahvavs) on the judge, but bo ftho buyer) knows what bo wants, and is willing to pay for it. Let tho poultry house bo n comfortable, warm, and dry building, but not a “ hothouse.” If possible contrive to bn>c a scratching shed adjoining tho house, through which tho fowls have to pass from the run to rbe roosting bouse, where tho fowls have no outer run, the home may bo a scratchiim shed and roosting place combined. Sec that there is always a jot of loose, dry litter on tho scratching shed floor, and make it_a rule to throw nil tliß grain food into it. f lne scratching shed will mean many more eggs per annum; consequently tho birds will be more profitable. The scratching shed should bo as open as possible to the sun, but its end walls should protect from the prevailing or worst winds. Tho water vessels and grit box should bo placed on a stand high enough to prevent scattered litter from getting into them, and tho stand should bo larce enough to enable the fowls to stand 'em whilst using the vessels resting on it.

H IGH-GR ADE PRO D UCING. Qualities of high-grade procluciug lien : Professor E. L. Dakan, head of the poultry department of Ohio State University, stated in a recent bulletin that there are four qualities that a high-o-rade producing hen must have—(l) early maturity, (2) consistency, (3) hin-h rate, and (4) non-broodmoss. I’rofessor Dakan says further that “the answer to the question, ‘What is early and laio maturity l is not the ago of the pullet when she lays her first egg. There are many factors that affect and determine the age at which the first egg is produced, mclud- | ing feed, breed, strain, and possibly [diseases.” ‘ , I He suggests that the first oO per i cent, of the flock to lay shall be regarded as the early maturing ones and the last 50 per cent, the late maturing. Also he thinks the last 10 per cent, might well Tie called culls. 'The percentage of food eaten by the hens in the winter time depends as much on visibility as on palatability. A badly lighted house, dark, cloudy days, and poorly constructed hoppers (when they are used) standing in dark places all tend to lesson consumption. Many poultry keepers blame the mash they are feeding who 11 all that is needed is better visibility. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS. A few years ago any flock owner that tried to boost production by the use of artificial lights was considered a fit candidate for some detention college. Aside from lack of proper balance ho was also accused of cruelty to animals and “busting up” the liens’ union. The first person to try any new venture or innovation is accused in the same way, but others gradually fall in line and follow* the lead. The same has happened in this case, since the good flocks not lighted are becoming exceptions. Among the experiments designed to discover the actual money value of lights v. no lights was that at Nebraska. They found that one pen of ninety leghorns that were lighted during a period of six winter months returned 25.44d0l more than, another pen not lighted. . Compilations at Ohij show that the feed costs per dozen eggs Hu lighted pens was 15.3 c, while in unlighted pens it was 21.1 c. A profit over feed was

Contributions and question* for answering should bo addressed to “ Poultry Editor. “Star ’ Office, and received not fitter than Tuesday of each week. “ Btility-Poncy H will only answer communications through this column. Advertisements ter this column must bo banded-hi to tho office before 2 p.m. on Friday.,

1.3 Idol per bird when lighted and 57c per bird when not lighted. Lights will not necessarily increase production for the year but they will tend to increase the per cent, of eggs obtained during tho winter months. One station found that tho use of lights increased the average profit ten cents per bird after paying for the extra care. WHEN TO USE. There are four general systems in use—l. morning; 2, evening; 3, morning and evening; 4, night lunch. Based on economy of fuel, No. 4 is the most efficient because of a shorter use of lights. _ . In actual practice morning lights are most used because of case iu working a clock switch, giving lights at chore time, and ■ because of greater regularity. It ds also easier to get tho birds down off thu roost. Lights at 4.30 or 5 a.m. will give almost an ideal twelve-hour day. Evening lights offer greater opportunity for irregularity because of social engagements, afternoon meetings, and other excuses. Jt is necessary to uso some sort of dimmer with this system. Some flock owners are so situated that lights for a slmrt time iu the morning and again in the evening, starting at dusk, is most advisable. Morning lights are cut off as soon as it becomes bright iu tho house. Evening lights start at dusk. All of the systems have their adherents; ail of them give results when properly • used; all of them can go wrong if improperly used. The first and only principle consists ol using lights not in excess of twelve to thirteen hours a day, absolute regularity, and heavier feeding. The extra feed means all tho hard grain that tho flock will dean up. LIGHT ARRANGEMENT. Electric lights, gasolene lanterns, eleven kerosene lanterns may he _ used. Kerosene is host suited as a dimmer for electric lights as a means of getting the flock back to roost after an evening feed. New York State College of Agriculture recommends: — 1, Lamps—(a) One 40-walt Mazda lamp for every 200 square feet or major fraction of floor space; (b) locate lamps 6ft above floor and about 10ft apart. 2. Reflectors—(a) Cone shaped, 16m iu diameter, 4in high; (b) Reflecting surface painted with three coats of aluminium bronze.

The Delaware. Station derives the following conclusions. — 1. Artificial lighting increases winter production. 2. Artificial lighting makes tho production curve approach more nearly the price curve in winter. 3. Lights were of no value after March 1 in stimulating production. 4. Lights must bo discontinued gradually to prevent disaster. 5. Early hatched pullets, subject to fall molt, may bo carried over this period by lights. 6. Eggs can be produced cheaper with lights in winter than under natural conditions.

7. Pullets in lighted pens return greater profit over feed than unlighted pullets. 8. Use of lights is not harmful to flocks when one does not exceed twelve to fourteen hours a day. 9. Proper arrangement of lights is important. 10. Artificial lights, properly installed and managed, are a profitable investment. RESULTS. Artificial lighting is held accountable for many ailments. Some believe that lights tend to force production and result in poor hatches tho following spring. Anything when carried to extreme can bo harmful, if ono forces production by lights to such an extent that a Joss of weight is noticed and the fowl is nm down, poor results will he noted. Heavier feeding is required. It is also important to have a constant supply of water available. This means except when milk is fed.

TWENTY-THIRD PAPANUI EGGLAYING COMPETITION. Leading Pens Forty-first Week, Ended January 14 (287 days). FLOCK TEAMS CONTEST (Six birds). Light and Heavy Breeds, —White Leghorns.— Week’s Weight, Eggs. oz. dr. T 1 J. Liggins 25 54 0 1,267 A. Woollov ... 32 73 3 1,267 T. H. Wilce ... 28 61. 3 1,233 F. Hawes 30 65 7 1,229 J. G. Verrall ... 16 32 13 1,222 H. C. West ... 26 62 6 1,204 SINGLE HEN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Light and Heavy Breeds. —Black Orpingtons,— Week’s Weight, Eggs. oz. dr. T 1 H W. Beck ... 4 913 230 Mrs Hellaby ... 3 6 7 215 A. M. Espio ... 6 12 15 206 —White Leghorns.— S E. Davey ... 5 11 9 229 H. C. West ... 6 14 3 229 C. V. Crunch ... 6 .12 3 209 J. Rattigan ... 6 J-t 1 209 E. Hawes 0 0 0 209 A. H. Adams ... 6 13 10 209 SINGLE DUCK CONTEST. Owner Enters Three Birds. —lndian Runners.— Week’s Eggs. Tl. A. G. F. Ross, No. 2 ... 7 275 G Voice, No.’3 7 274 F. R. Cotton, No. 1 ... 7 272 Mrs Gee, No. 3 7 271 A- Adsett, No. 1 6 269 A Adsett, No. 3 6 263 Mrs Gee, No. 1 4 261 SINGLE HEN CONTEST. Owner Enters Three Birds. —A.O.V. Heavy Breeds.— Week’s Eggs. Tl. P. Bailey, R.1.R.. No. 1 0 225 P. A. Cornish, L.S., No. 2 7 216 J. Casey, B.R, No. 2 ... 7 216 J . Casey, 8.R., No. 1 ... 5 192 —Black Orpingtons.— T. D. Dalziel, No. 1 ... 6 230 T D. Dalziel, No. 2 ... 5 229 G. A. Grainger, No. 1 ... 3 228 G A. Grainger, No. 2 ... 3 227 R, M. Cookson, No. 3 ... 0 222 Miss Meyrick, No. 1 ... 4 207 H W. Beck, No. 1 5 204 ■ WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN CONTEST. Owner Enters Three Birds. Week’s Eggs. Tl. H. Williams, No. 1 6 248 A C. Goodlet, No. 3 ... 7 245 A. M. Espie, No. 3 ... ... 7 245 J. Maxwell, No. 3 7 244 G. H. Mitchell, No. 2 ... 7 243 H. Harris, No. 2 4 242 W. H. West, No. 2 ... ... 5 241