The Poultry Run.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 6 August 1915, Page 3

The Poultry Run.

j To “ dub ” a fowl means that 1 the combs are cut off, and the 3 method is becoming more i generally used, It has been i proved that the removal of these 3 appendages increases the vigour - of the fowl, so that, if a Cocks bird —the fertility is improved, 1 and —if a h in —that she will lay 3 better. The bird that is freed - from a big comb and heavy wattles get about much better.

feels better, and eats better. No doubt on account of the greater comfort that is caused and because the blood that was previously required for the maintenance for the appendages is kept back in the body which increases in vigour as a consequence. Speaking from many years’ experience I can assure readers that the dubbed bird materially increases in strength and vigour as the result of the removal of the comb and wattles to patch up-, So far as hens are concerned those that have big combs get on much better if they are cut off. They become tamer because they are able to see out of both eyes when the overhanging comb is removed. They seem better, eat better, and lay better. The act of dubbing is simple, and although some people say it is cruel, it really is not so and for this reason —as the comb and wattles are the chief points of attack when the birds are scrapping. Nature has so fixed matters that there is a insensibility to pain in these appendages. I have dubbed lots of birds, and have never yet had one that was in any way upset by the operation; it has been the usual thing for them to scratch round and crow like billy-oh within an , hour after the dubbing, and within a week they have shown a marked improvement in general strength and vigour.