POULTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 51, 27 January 1933, Page 9

POULTRY

EGG-LAYING. MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. The following are the results of the 42nd week in the Massey College egglaying contest:— SINGLE PENS. Section A.

NOTES. - (By “Brooder.”) The finishing touches to the pullets have in some instances been put on and a few pullets, here and there, have begun to lay. But it is early yet and probably not until the end of February and early in March will any great number of pullets have begun their first season’s work. During the last few weeks it lias been noticeable that pullets have found the hot weather very trying. This has been particularly apparent in the food eaten. Grain foods and mashes were eaten, of course, but not with that eagerness so often displayed. On the other hand every bit of green food created a rush and was speedily devoured. There, of course, is a lesson in this. If the birds desire and prefer green matter, then it must be supplied. Where is the poultryman who will hesitate to do so? Does it not cheapen the cost of production, decreasing the need, as it does, for expensive grain foods? But, perhaps, the main point is that the birds get what they feel they want. Thus will pullets hasten on to maturity and growth and vigour will be promoted. Success in the coming season depends

upon management perhaps more than on anything else. By management is meant, of course, turning every little advantage to profit. If a goodly number of pullets were reared, it is not enough to say “that will do the trick.” Proper housing, careful feeding, wise culling are all very necessary aspects which need attention. For instance, if 600 pullets were reared and they are crammed into a space barely sufficient for 450, then overcrowding will cause many ills which will cut down the profits. Then, again, if those 600 pullets have amongst them 150 birds heiow the standard, lookers on we may say, or if the whole flock is forced into operations before they are ready, well, it does not need an expert to explain what will happen. There is no short cut to success in poultry keeping. There are many pitfall's of which the beginner mint beware.

Four square feet of floor space is the considered allowance for birds. Any reduction of this limit is attended with risk. Certainly where unlimited outdoor freedom is provided, it may be possible to give less accommodation, but it is better nevertheless to give 4 feet. Monv wet days on end come sometimes, when birds must perforce bo kept inside. It is then the trouble originates. Give plenty of room. Healthier birds are the outcome and there are not so many broken eggs either. Do not be too eager to get those pullets to profit, or probably the profit will be short-lived and in the end turn out to be a loss.

W. H. Barker 1 144 2 156 3 192 E. M. Galvin 1 160* 2 218 G. H. Cross 149 F. Ecob ' 1 197+ 2 195 3 149+ A. R. Watson .— 235 C. Goodson ... — 110* L. B. Maunscll 1 196 2 212 3 184 Mrs Stewart 1 158 2 177 3 216* S. G. Batten 1 192 Mrs Cannon — 204 Miss Mitchell 1 186 2 202 3 217 4 183 5 216 6 210 T. Bruco 1 173 2 195 3 135 A. J. Sliailor 1 206 2 188 H. Rushton 1 193 2 129 3 205 4 202 S. G. Batten 2 214 3 236* 4 186 5 216 6 158 7 149 Section B. Mrs Hcllabv 1 222 2 173 Mrs Youngson — 189 Larsen Bros. 1 246* 2 166 3 165 4 263 T. Douthwaito — 146 E. M. Galvin — 97* TEAM RESULTS. Section C. F. Ecob 237 206 178* 185 165 196 (22) 1167 M. Macrae 156 193* 225 133* 207 176 (23) 1079 M. L. Boyce 177 133 189*215 176 157 (20) 1047 Mrs Stewart 188 148 159 172* 138 206* (30) 1011 P. B. Harrison 191 182 134 84+ 167 147 (20) 905 Section D. Mrs Hcllabv 180 216 207* 190* 169 194 (30) 1156 W. E. .In„e.« 187 173 196 184* 164 176* (26) 1080 McLean .V Whits Oft 11 154 194* 99* 163* 194* 227 (22) 1031 Larsen Bros. 139 172 146* 139*130* 109 (26) 835 W. Bish 217 93* 87 159 183* 60+ (16) 799 “Signifies disqualified for egg weight clause. +Bird dead.