POULTRY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 10, 9 December 1932, Page 9

POULTRY NOTES.

(By “Brooder.”) To give young birds, particularly pullets, their liberty and then to deprive them of it for days and weeks is wrong. This often sets up a moping condition with the birds waiting for something they cannot have. Better is it to keep them inside altogether than the longing for tho freedom of which they have tasted should be set up. Shade is as necessary during the hot summer days as shelter is essential in the winter. If birds are used to being outside then shade must be provided, otherwise they are forced back into the house, and young birds particularly dislike this. Cleanliness brings its own reward. It is probable that the absence ot reports of coccidiosis this year is the result of more painstaking work on the part of the poultrymen generally, and more attention to sanitation. There is no doubt but that it pays to give every batch of chickens a good start on sweet, now ground. Fewer bowel troubles eventuate and it is always pleasing to note how much the confined chickens respond and show their appreciation when there is a clean brooder and as clean a floor, made so for their comfort. “Brooder” has seen chicks this week which can never make good birds. For one thing these youngsters are late hatched, and this handicap is increased by the fact that they are confined to dirty brooding quarters—altogether devoid of sunlight. They cannot make good and never will. Cleanliness does pay and fortunately there are few poultrymen now who do not realise it. Because the incubating or chicken rearing season is well nigh past is no reason why a look out for “broodies’ should not be kept. “Broodies” can do considerable harm if they are allowed to frequont the nest boxes and sit on eggs for long periods. Besides, eggs may bo broken owing to the fighting desire evinced by other birds desiring to get into tho nest occupied by some unfortunate broody lien. W atoll for these; place them in special coops with a view to curtailing tho period “off the lay.” . . The Poverty Bay Poultry Association is considering tho cost of payments to judges. It realises that the sum set aside annually (£29 10s) is too largo a drain on the resources of the association. It will be remembered that the Manawatu Association had to economise some two or three years ago in this rospcct, and what Poverty Bay is now contemplating (appointing local judges) has been a decided succoss in this locality. As an argument for the appointment of local men, a writer refers to an incident at tho last Show wherein a local arbitrator had to bo consulted and decide which was the best bird in tho Show, the judges appointed being unable to agree. If, he says, a local man is competent to decide premier honours. surely he can decido less important issues. It looks as if Poverty Bay will follow Manawatu, giving local men a chance to make good. Pullets must be kept growing otherwise they cannot mature early enough for them to show reasonable profits in tho first season. Indeed, at present day prices, it is impossible to make profit from half-fed birds. Bran and pollard, it is true, form the bulk of many foods, but there must bo a goodly proportion of something more sustaining if

the best results are to be achieved. A well-balanced ration is everything.

EGG-LAYING

MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST.

Tho following aro tho results of tho 35th week in tho Massey College egglaying contest: — SINGLE PENS. Section A. W. H. Barker ... 1 121 2 127 3 154 E. M. Galvin ... 1 146* 2 190 G H. Cross - 122 R Ecob 1 17b 2 161 3 149+ A. R. Watson C. Goodson L. B. Maunsoll 1 160 2 174 3 158 Mrs Stewart 1 146 2 148 3 182* S. G. Batten 1 157 R. R. Cannon Miss Mitchell 1 157 2 163 3 182 4 148 5 184 6 186 T. Bruce 1 143 2 166 3 110 A. J. Shailer 1 171 2 155 H. Rushlon 1 159 2 129 3 170 4 164 S. G. Batten „. ... 2 175 3 197* 4 151 % 5 180 6 124 7 128 Section B. Mrs Hellaby 1 180 2 164 Mrs Youngson „. ... Larsen Bros 1 204* 2 131 3 142 4 221* T. Douthwaite E. M. Galvin TEAM RESULTS. Section C. F. Ecob 196 172 164* 151 131 163 (32) 977 M. L. Boyce 158 132 160* 173 140 124 (26) 887 M. Mrs Stewart 151 111 127 136* 104 165* (31) 794 P. B. Harrison 155 154 121 84+ 127 106 (27) 747 Section JJ. Mrs Hellaby 141 ‘ 185 167* 153 125 156 (35) 927 \V. E. Jones 152 128 155 148* 122 164* (31) 869 McLean & Whitworth 121 150* 98* 128* 162* 187 (24) 846 Larsen Bros. 101 136 109* 129 97* 77 (31) 649 \V. Bish 177 62* 52 131 153 60+ (16) 635 •Signifies disqualified for egg weight clause. +Bird dead.