POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 100, 28 March 1925, Page 11

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) Mr T. Bruce, secretary to the Manawotu Utility Poultry Society, is now president of the New Zeulund Poultry Association, having been elected, to that jjosition at the association's recent conference at Christchurch. To say the very least. Air Bruce well deserves the honour conferred upon him. He has worked hard in his endeavours to promote the progress of the poultry industry, not only in the Manawatu. but in the interests of poultrymen generally. lie is well lilted for the task us president and ? as such, his enthusiusm for the work will sooner or later lead to many forwurd movements. The remit from the Alanawatu Utility Poultry Society urging the Government to bring about a compulsory egg pool, created not a little interest at the conference referred to above. It is well known now that one of the greatest obstacles to a successful export trade is the heavy handling and transport charges. Mr Bruce pointed out that the real purpose of exports was of course not only to reap profit oil the eggs exported, but also, and more especially, to dispose of surplus eggs, so that the local market should he stabilised. Now it is manifestly unfair that all the work und risk which export involves and which is designed to benefit all, should be left to a few. Mr Bruce says that the organised promoters of an export trade ure at present being made subjects of ridicule in that there are numbers of producers who say that it pays to let those do it who will. It seems, therefore, that there is some reason in the claim for compulsion for all, and all poultrymen will watch with interest new developments. Meanwhile, the conference decided to trge the Government to act in the manner indicated, viz., to bring about a compulsory pool. Will any reader dispute the fact that the most favoured male bird is the one which is ulwuys ready for a fight, or a bird which, whenever you enter the pen, disputes your right to be there with u fierceness which compels you to sometimes adopt stern measures in order to withstand his attacks. A local poultrynian says he has a great dislike for such birds, and would never choose such a type when mating His breeding pens. Ilis argument is thut the progeny resulting usually is, in the pullets, highly strung, flighty birds, a type which never makes good layers. I wonder what is the general opinion of readers on this point. The. poultrynian in question says he must certainly have spirit in his male bird, hut he has other ways of discovering it. To my mind the bird which always shows light is not always the bird which comes oil' the victor. I have seen birds disinclined to combat, but when compelled to could always hold their own. But that is not always the case. It would be interesting to know the opinions of the experience of others : n ihis respect. Many authorities place their confidence in tho lighter—do you? “Amateur” writes:—“l have about 60 3-year-old fowls and 40 pullets from halfgrown to laving birds and I would like to have your advice re feeding same. I am gathering about 15 eggs per day, hut I think they need something in tho way of a tonic, for they are looking well and I think should bo luying better. I have been giving them a small feed of wheat at daylight as I am on my f way to the milk-ing-shed ; then, after breakfast, say, at nine o'clock, a bucketful of warm pollard mash. Then at four o’clock u feed of wheut aguin. They are on a nice sheltered aero of eli grass and clover and have an urmful o; raw turnips each morning. Do you think they need bran? 1 understand the turnips ure us good. To-day we aro threshing a stack of Gurton oats and one of peas (grey partridgo). 1 could havo these, hut would like you to put me wise us to the best mixture. 1 give them a load of river metal now and then instead of buying grit.”—You say that (1) The fowls aro looking very well; (2) They aro liberally fed; (3) Thut there is plenty of green feed; (4) That runs are well sheltered and the surroundings good. Therefore 1 do not think any tonic is necessary. You also suy your hens are in their third season. Doubtless, then, there is a fair percentage you can cull out. These are tho drones which are keeping down the average yield. Go through your flock; where you find the pelvio hones closed, out with that bird, for it :s not laying. I would prefer good sound shell grit to river bed metal, and 1 think there is just a chance that your fowls are suffering from deficiency of lime, which is so necessary in the production of shell for their eggs. In all shell grit there is a fair percentage of lime. Certainly use tho Gallon oats" with the wheat and add peus to give variety, for fowls appreciate a change ; but remember to make any change in the food gradually. Regarding your pullets, you do not state how many are laying. If you think there are a number which should be, and do not, try a little meat .meal in your morning mash. Pollard, in itself, makes a sticky food and is hard to digest. Bran prevents it from binding and gives it that crumbly nature which the birds like. Furthermore, bran has oilier qualifies and is now looked upon by most poultrymen as a necessary item in the preparation of food. After this season, I would suggest that, of tho liens, you retain only those which give promise of profit. These are days when it is difficult to make pullets pay, and tho task is very much harder with birds getting on to four years of age. You would find oyster shell, crushed, very helpful. Mix equal quantities of wheat and oats with a fair sprinkling of peus, the latter kibbled.