POULTRY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 4, 4 December 1931, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES.

CULLING THE FLOCK

(By “Brooder.”)

A reminder is given of the great importance of culling the flocks or broods of chickens. It is surprising the difference that culling and separation of sexes will make. Small and backward birds especiallv will benefit in frame and vigour when allowed to run by themselves, while the more advanced will improve in everyway. When chickens of different ages are allowed to run together, many become stunted and undersized pullets ; because of their small size tbev are harassed continually by the more forward birds. Heavy breeds should never be reared with the smaller, light-framed breeds. Separation of the sexes is also important if the cockerels are to be fattened for table use. If allowed to mix this will prevent the birds putting on condition. SLOW FEATHERING. Slow feathering is often complained of, but the weakness can be overcome. A little sulphur in the mash will help. VALUE OF CALCIUM. Buttermilk and skim milk are both rich in calcium without which chicks cannot make the growth required. There are always complaints that when birds have reached a certain stage, approximately, one third of growth having been attained, they stop or that from then on progress is very slow. In such cases it has been proved that there is some deficiency in the diet. This deficiency is probably always felt more where birds are confined. They are deprived of certain tilings seen in the soil though unseen to the human eye. Substitutes should be found. Calcium, as stated, is absolutely necessarv for growth of bone, and' on a farm it is found in milk and the residue thereof after separating or, after churning butter. It is cheap, but it is valuable to young growing stock. SUNSHINE INDISPENSABLE. Rearers of chicks on intensive lines are warned that sunshine is indispensable. If deprived of it, chickens will not make the progress necessary. True, there are aids, but no really efficient substitutes. Cod-liver oil in thp mash is very beneficial. DUCK RECORDS. In the Harper Adams laying trial in England, a duck has 306 eggs in 308 days to its credit, proving again that the stories of the wonderful laying powers of the breed are not isolated eases, but sure proof that the Kliaki' Campbell is a fine producer. AN OLD EGG. Mr Stubbs, of Fitzherbert Avenue, claims that be has discovered an egg which must have slipped down behind his incubator some three years ago for he has not incubated since. Except for the drying down of the air cell, the egg, when held to the light, has all the appearances of a fresh egg. Mr Stubbs is mystified, as the egg shows no sign of evaporation or decay. After this, the question suggests itself: Just how long will an egg keep? The finder in this case says the egg is good, but so far he has not tried breaking it to satisfy liis curiosity still further, preferring to keep it intact for various reasons. MASSEY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE EGG-LAYING CONTEST. 35TH WEEK’S RESULTS. The following are the 35th week’s results of the egg-laving contest at Massey Agricultural Collcg© : —' Light breeds. —F. Ecob, 163 171 168

162 200 184 (35) 1048; S.. G. Batten, 144 147 130 121 146 204 (34) 882; L. B. Maunsell 164 153 123 x 138 142 (34) 864; M. L. Boyce, 114 156 108 x 152 163 (33) 809; A. Norman, 153 136 x 134 x 163 (27) 808; K. Brazendale, 197 101 124 124 x 118 (29) 795; Mrs D. A. Stewart, 131 143 125 140 132 116 (30) 787; J. N. McLean, 124 89 121 128 119 118 (29) 699. Heavy breeds.—J. N. McLean. 157 157 134 87 123 109 (36) 767; H. Rusfrton, 129 115 114 137 131 129 (18) 755; Mrs J. A. B. Hellabv (4 birds) 148 178 57 199 63 43 (20) 688; K. Mouldey (5 birds) 32 109 64 68 133 76 (17) 482. “x” signifies underweight eggs.