FEATHERED FANCY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 11

FEATHERED FANCY

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”)

About tlie most important job to take in hand now is careful supervision of the flock lor’the purpose ol detecting the slacker. After November there is always a tendency lor birds to curtail their egg supply and it is from that moment that you begin to prepare for culling. MaFy plants with a big flock of young birds coining on will be taxed to their utmost capacity and in order to give elbow room for these birds to grow and develop, it is best to thin out those which will sooner or later become a less paying proposition that what it js hoped the pullets will he. There is no industry in which more-waste goes on than that of poultry-keeping. The detail work is so exact that unless a man is ever busy, and ou. the look-out, lie is going to have big leakages. Culling' is one of the most important jobs' to be taken in hand. It is not said that tho work should begin immediately, but it is most necessary that from now on y’ou watch the performance of tho bird carefully—trying to detect tho would-be shirkers. Thus, a big drain on profits will bo avoided and averages well maintained. Watch for “broodies” from now on ; they are a big nuisance and a loss. Not only do they cease being productive, but they have a had habit of getting into the nests. During the warm weather with “broodies” about, eggs should he collected frequently. This will prevent the “broodies” from setting on them for an t v considerable length of time and will lessen the breakages, lor, what happens when you catch a broody hen oil the nest box? Sometimes she gets very excited when you try' to remove her and scatters the eggs in all directions, and again there is loss in time and money. There, again, is the question of vermin—“broodies,” if left undisturbed, I>ecome covered with vermin and these H] if cad and are had companions for the whole flock. B.v the way, all poultrymen should be busy with tho spray at tho present time. Ton are feeding for eggs and not in order that red-mite and other vicious vermin may multiply. Get out the whitewash, the disinfectant or the kerosene and keep it busy during the hot days to come. Thus you will stop another' leakage, and materially add to the comfort of vour fowls.