Poultry Notes

Evening Star, Issue 21891, 30 November 1934, Page 2

Poult ry Notes

[By UTILITY. FANCY.]

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. “ D. 8.” I do not care to recommend your feeding any particular amount of food to your birds. So much depends upon season, climate, breed, and even strain, and whether the birds fed are in the layers or breeding pens. Some birds in a flock, whatever the conditions may be, will always require more .food'than others. You must study your fowls and watch them at meal times. At egg-laying tests it has beeii discovered the pens of six birds varied considerably as, regards the consumption of mash. Some required 18oz—i.e., 3oz per bird —and the others 270z—--440z per bird—and the grain served averaged 2oz daily per bird. This .was a case of feeding birds confined to very small enclosure. Where a considerable range is allowed less supplied food is required, as tlie birds find a good deal for themselves! Not under any conditions should the amounts quoted be exceeded. If your fowls are lay mg well they may eat 3oz of mash at a meal and 2oz of grain in addition to green stuff, but when they are not laying so, well, probably if you supplied more than two ounces of mash per bird and 2oz of grain there would be some lort over, and left to get stale, or the birds would become too fat. Watch the birds at meal times, see that they eat all that is supplied at a meal, and serve more if the birds will continue eating heartily. Overfeeding is worse than underfeeding. WIRE BOTTOM FOR NEST BOXES. A poultry man who has tried fixing wire bottoms to his nest boxes states that the work involved has proved well worth while. - The wire'is of one-inch mesh, and over this is placed a straw mat.. The result is claimed to be a saving of labour, for if any mat is fouled it is easily beaten out and cleaned ’by beiug lightly hit against anything and replaced tlife other side up. The nests keep themselves clean ns dirt and dust drop through the wires nnd lessen the tendency to broodiness. CLASSIFYING YOUNG STOCK. It is a common,, practice, but nevertheless a mistaken one, to feed both young and adult stock ,pn the same class of food. The,forcing food for egg production is quite unsuitable for young stock, which need simply the elements to build up frame and bone rather than to develop egg organs, or, in other words, to encourage a condition that the overfeeding of meat .is sure to bring about—i.e., prematurity. SEPARATE THE SEXES. The growing pullets will not progress as they should if a number of young cockerels are allowed to remain with them. Separate the sexes as soon as possible. If there is not accommodation to spare for a cockerel pen they should be ss'htAo market, or otherwise disposed of, soon as possible. HENS TOO FAT. Ridges on eggs and mis-shapen eggs show that the hens are too fat. Add more green food to the mash. Do not reduce the food too suddenly. Overfatness is a common fault at this Season. Watch carefully and adjust the feeding according to circumstances. Changing from wheat to oats, by a gradual process, is well worth trying. A DESIRABLE COMBINATION. Pedigree, plus conformity to breed, character, a nd constitution, make a desirable combination, not only desirable, but absolutely necessary. It means typical birds, healthy birds, and profitable birds. Do not overlook the fact, however, that proper feeding and housing are indispensable to success. MAINTAIN THE QUALITY. , ‘ Eggs .and Poultry ’ (Wellington) says: “Distributors state that low quality has a more depressing effect on consumption than high prices, and that increased consumption of eggs may possibly be brought about by guarantees of quality, both of flavour and appearance. The interior quality of eggs is influenced by the feeding and management of the ben and by the methods adopted in handling, storing, and transporting the egg; it may best be ascertained by “ candling ” singly before a strong light in a darkened room. While the law of supply and demand it the dominating influence affecting prices, it has been shown that there is a closer relationship between purchasing power and prices than between supplies and prices. The gradual return to national prosperity with better wages and greater employment, must' ultimately result in those who produce high-quality eggs obtaining a much higher profit margin than those who produce inferior eggs.” AMOUNT OF FEED FOR BEST - RESULTS. Mr Frank L. Pratt, editor of the American ‘ Poultry Journal,’ says that it requires approximately four ounces

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of feed a day to supply the nutritional requirements of a laying hen, or 901 b of food a year. This applies, he says, to the larger, dual-purpose breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, and Orpingtons. A ilock of Leghorns, representing 41b birds, will consume somewhat less. J3uch a flock 1 , giving an egg yield of 175 to 180 eggs per bird during the year, will eat about 801 b of feed on the average, but a very high producing flock of Leghorns, giving an annual yield of 200 eggs per hen, will consume nearly 901 b of feed per bird. Considering the additional oyster shell and grit that the layers require, a basis for roughly estimating the cost of feeding one hen one year, particularly in the case of, large birds, is the cost of a 1001 b bag of feed. DISPOSAL OF COCKERELS. This is always a difficult problem, especially when one has obtained stockeggs for hatching, or day-old chicks from a good pedigree strain, since one is apt to assume that the cockei els a e too good for killing, and ought to be sold at a good price. . If everyone who breeds from pedigree stock were to cherish that idea we fear that cockerels would be a drug in the market. , , * ■As a matter of fact cockerels of potential breeding value _ should be chosen from .the progeny of particu ar hems, and it does not follow that every cockerel which. can be described as So-and-So’s strain will make a good breeder. colour old eng '

A contributor to a Home periodical, writing on the colour question of Ultl English Game (a breed which has many admirers in New Zealand) says: Beginners are often confronted wi 'o the query as to which variety to stait with, the various colours all having an appeal in some way or other; so let me offer advice. , w n The various standards of O.E. bame have not been framed to make the breeding more difficult, as in some breeds of fowls, and altered from time to time, making it only possible for an expert few to even approach the standard, but rather have set standards been fixed with studied judgment ot sane requirements, and these strictly retained have not been subservient to fickle fashion .or the dictates ot extremists. Notwithstanding this, however, there is a natural trait in some colours to come' truer to colour than others, and providing the blood and type are correct, it is advisable from the element of satisfaction to commence with the variety which has the best chance of retaining its uniformity ot colour. . , . Even this propensity can be intensified by in-breeding, but this should nor be resorted to for colour gain alone, but should be reserved as the agent tor improving or retaining blood and type. Now it must be firmly understood that the most consistent colour breeders are held in most esteem either m pit or pen for their general merits as distinctly apart from colour. This being so, these most natural colour breeders are the best for beginners as thev embrace the trinity ot blood, type and colour to a greater degree than the others. We will take a few of the primary colours in virtual order of merit: — The Black-breasted Red.—You have here a variety which is bred two ways i.e., patridge and whenten, the former being consistent and the latter inconsistent. Partridge-bred black-reds without doubt come as,true to colour as any variety of Game, and by breeding troin hens of the most golden shade and discarding drab-coloured ones, the cocks will be much brighter in colour; in fact, much richer than a wbeaten-breu cock. Wheaten-bred Black-reds, known as Derby Reds, throw up white feathers, a heritage of their Pile ancestry, and like the Piles I gradually incline to become lighter in hackles, with increasing white feathers in wings and tail. These will never give the satisfaction derived from the partridge-bred hlaekreds. Duckwings.—The black-breasted silver duckwing is the standard duckwing, and the female is the most beautiful of all Game hens probably. The Golden Duckwing is a silver and black-red crossed, but this detracts from the beauty of the females, who must bo regarded as cock breeders. Brown-reds.-—The old type carrot-red and the present-day burnished brass-red are very pleasing, although I prefer the Dark Greys.—Not quite so picturesque as some of the others, but very trusty. Gingers.—Particularly fine male and female when not inclined to brown-red or mahogany-red. . Birchens and Grey Duns.—Very taking, generally showing up well; extremely workmanlike. piles.—A good one, most beautiiul, but as rare as a four-leaf clover, through inclination to go pale and wash y. Spangles.—These do not appeal to me at all, and will cause more disappointment than satisfaction. It is possible to go on indefinitely, but no useful purpose would be served, the beginner as a few years’ acquaintance with the black-reds and duckwings will soon find its true interest in other varieties.

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PROMISING YOUNG STOCK. [Contributed by “ Minorca.”] Even in a flock of weaned chicks there are several which stand out in vigour and size. This is an important point in poultry breeding, for it is to these extra vigorous chicks that the bleeder should look in order to breed future chicks with the ability to feather and develop quickly, it is not a question of breeding precocious young stock, as this is an entirely distinct factor. One of the peculiarities of the quick-growing chick is that it does not necessarily develop into an extra large fowl. The other chicks in the same brood may finish off their growth and develop into a somewhat similar type and size. The point of interest to the breeder, however, is in the first six weeks, when it is necessary to have vigorous and healthy chicks. This type of chick should be leg-banded or marked at an early age, so that it can be identified at a later date. It is by isolating chicks of this type that the progressive breeder can be sure of developing a strain combining vigour and early development. The Seaside Mental Hos *lal has this year had a successful bvccling season, and will have over 1,001) White Leghorn pullets. Since Mr G. Proudfoot took charge of the farm he has made several improvements to the poultry sheds and runs. Mr: H. L. Sprosen, the well-known Minorca breeder, has this year gone in for Austral Orpingtons. Both. as a breeder and a show exhibitor this tancier has met with considerable success. Local fanciers will regret to learn that Mrs Lawrenson has been laid aside with illness. This lady has been a great help, both to the Dunedin Young Bird Specialists’ Club and to the Dunedin Fanciers’ Club, especially at show time, when the tea rooms are conducted by her. All fanciers will wish Mrs Lawrenson a speedy recovery. 30th ANNUAL PAPANUI EGGLAYING COMPETITION. Leading Pens, Thirty-third Week, Ended, November 23 (230 days). Test I.—J. H. Shaw Memorial Challenge. Light and Heavy Breeds.

Week’s Weight. Eggs. W. Turner 1 ■ oz. drs. Tl. 13 2 189 J. H. Joues 6 12 8 187 ,1. Campbell (B.O.) 7 16 6 180 .1. Ibbotson 6 n 14 176 W. Stephenson ... 6 J. Brennan 5 13 1 174 10 15 170 Test 2.—White Leghorn, Single Hens loaner enters 3 birds). Week's Grand Totals. Totals. Miss H. Keddell 6 7 6 172 201 191 J. Ibbotson 6 5 7 170 199 184 Mrs H. Williams 3 7 4 162 191 181 J. T. Hazelwood 6 6 6 176 160 198 H. Williams ... 5 6 5 187 184 170 G. Miller 5 5 6 181 165 182 Test 3.—Black Orpingtons and Australorps. (Owner enters three birds.) Week’s Grand Totals eggs. to date. T. Smith (A.O.) 4 6 5 139 189 209 S. Brumby (A.O.) 4 6 4 180 179 177 W. Jepson (A.O.) 7 5 3 179 138 180 J. Campbell ... 6 5 5 165 176 138 Test 4.—Any Variety Light or Heavy Breeds Other Than White Leghorns or Black Orpingtons. Week’s Grand Totals. Totals. Mrs V. Crowther 124 139 140 (M.) 0 3 5 A. D. Fabian (M.) 3 7 5 115 168 120 A. W. Adams 131 160 108 (L.S.) 5.0 5 E. R. Buckley 160 100 137 (R.I.R.) 6 3 5 Test 5.—Flock Teams (6 birds). Week’s Weight. Eggs. oz. drs. Tl. Miss H. Keddell ... 34 89 7 1,016 J. Liggins 33 67 2 934 W. E. Ward (one 43 3 915 dead) 20 Green Bros, (one 31 10 899 dead) , 15 Mrs Andrews 31 63 10 896 E. P. Anderson ... 34 71 3 895 Test 6.— Single Ducks. (Owner enters 3 birds.) Week’s Grand Totals eggsto date. • F. Ashworth 201 191 180 (K.C.) 7 7 3 W. A. Pollard 182 214 127 (I.R,.) ... ... 5 7 7 S. F. Marshall 164 127 202 (K.C.) 7 7 7. Mrs G. R. Pollard 142 174 172 and Son (I.R.) 6 7 1 —Experimental Tests.— For Light and Heavy Breeds. Test 1.—White .Leghorns and Black Orpingtons. Week’s Weight. Eggs. oz. drs. Tl. ,T. Still 6 13 13 193 A. S. Barrett (B.O.) 6 12 5 191 W. Williams 6 13 5 187 L. Brumby 7 14 10 180 Miss Kerr 5 10 1 176 J. Campbell (B.O.) 6 14 3 173 Test lb.~Any Variety, L. < or H. Breeds Other than W.L. or B.O. Week’s Weight. Eggs. oz. drs. Tl. A. Dalziel (L.) ... 6 13 8 175 A. W. Adams (S.W.) 5 11 3 157 Patty Griffen (Barn.) 6 15 15 141 Test 1c.—Single Ducks. Week’s Weight. Eggs. oz. drs. Tl. ,1. W. Thomson (W.R.) 6 0 0 180 F. Ashworth (K.C.) 3 6 14 155