POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 May 1934, Page 9

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) There is a decided 'advantage in always having dry mash before a batch of pullets from which a good supply of eggs is expected—the birds never go hungry. It lias been stated that the losses through the depredations of rats, etc., also the amount of food scattered about the ground by the birds, more than offsets any additional revenue received because of this plentiful supply ever betoro the birds. Moreover, it is argued that a good moist mash and plenty of it is all that is required. Believers in the wet mash overlook that fed thus many nervous birds go hungry. Also, it is fairly difficult to correctly estimate just how much of this wet mixture the birds require, and, in the rush lor it each morning it is certain that many do not get then- fair share. If the supply is well above what is required there is waste here, just as with the dry mash. Taking everything into consideration, dry mash seems to be the best method. If there is to be waste, this can be reduced to a minimum if the right kind of hopper is used. With the dry mush ever beforo them the birds can eat until tlioy are satisfied leisurely. They need not gorge themselves to a point likely to set up attacks of indigestion as they sometimes do with the wet mash. All the birds have a fair chance to secure just as much as they need—no more and no less. Some poultrykeepers use both wet and dry mashes. During the winter months it is probable that th© birds do appreciate a nice warm mash for the first meal. Where such a practice is followed in addition to the full hopper of sweet, clean mash, it should load to good results. That it does promote egg .production in the winter has been proved, but, apart from this, reason points to the use of dry mash as the most hygienic system and best suitod to tlio needs of the birds. It should find favour, and does on largo farms, because labour is thereby -reduced to a minimum. However, the point that needs emphasis here is that once pullets are in action good food and plenty of it is necessary. The dry mash hopper seems to be the best method for supplying it. Providing the mash is a good, well-recommended mixture there should bo 110 difficulty in getting eggs. It is gratifying that a settlement has been reached of the differences between the Manawatu A. and P. Association and the Poultry Association. Poultrymen and exhibitors can nowsettle down to preparing their birds for the show pen. It is_ not by any means too early to' begin. .Whilst on this subject, it may be stated that quite a number of birds at the Young Bird Show wore very ill at ease. This nervousness may seriously weaken the chance of success. Many a judge has turned away impatiently from pens containing these flighty birds. To help exhibits overcome this weakness should be the concern of the owners. A week or so prior to showing the birds should be penned. They should be handled often and fed m the pen. Thus will they get used to treatment they may have to endure when on show, and their showing should be considerably enhanced.

EGG-LAYING. MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. The following arc the results of Lho fifth week of the Massey College egglaying contost SINGLE PENS.

Section A. ,T. A. Annan, W.L (6) 26 C. H. Barker, W.L. .... 1 (5) 23 2 (2) 5 W. H. Barker, W.L. . 1 (2) 14 2 (0) 13 3 (4) 20 Mrs K. R. Cannon, W.L/. 16) 29 Emory Bros., W.L. ; 15) 19 E. M. Galvin, W.L. 1 (4) 22 2 (1) 6 3 (4) 20 H. Hutchinson, W.L. _ (4) 22 0. W. L. King, W.L. _ (3) 6 A. G. Mnmby, W.L. . 1 (5) 17 2 (4) 21 3 (0) 18 4 (5) 20 H. Moreland, W.L. (4) 20 W. J. McAloon, W.L. . (3) 6 A. J. Shaiier, W.L (4) 11 H. Williams, W.L 1 (5) 24 2 (5) 23 Mrs E. Youngson, Bit. L. - 1 (5) 20 2 (5) 23 D. Kruso, Ano 1 (5) 6 2 (2) 4 F. Lang, Aric. 1 (0) 2 2 (5) 12 J. Smith, Anc 1 (4) 20 2 (5) 22 H. Williams, W.L 3 (4) 20 A. Strawbridge, W.L. . (6) 16 A. R. Watson, Br. L. (5) 9 Section B. Miss E. T. Somer, R.I.R (0) 22 K. Mouldov, R.I.R (0) 0 W. A. Larsen, B.O. ..... 3 (0) 6 1 (5) 24 2 (6) 25 Airs Waddell, B.O. (1) 24 T. Douthwaite WAV. 1 (0) 0 2 (5) 23 TEAM RESULTS Section C. Mrs. Geo. Hillman, W.L. 19 19 24 20 24 18 (20) 124 Emory Bros., W.L. 23 15 25 15 20 16 (17) 114 S. D. Morris, W.L. 15 23 4 18 24 24 (23) 108 A. Strawbridge, W.L 17 22 23 11 1 18 (12) 92 A. J. Davcy, W.L. 18 9 22 16 6 15 (20) 86 P. B. Harrison. W.L. 21 13 14 14 14 6 (20) 82 H. A. Luca. 1 ;, W.L. 10 19 7 23 2 17 (15) 78 J. T. Hazelwood. W.L. 24 24 5- 4 3 16 (15) 76 E. B. Wainscott. W.L. 19 1 6 7 16 25 (12) 74 C. W. . L. King. W.L. 12 12 25 3 0 21 (14) 73 H. Poison, W.L. 24 6 20 0 2 19 (11) 71 J. Graham, W.L. 11 10 16 19 10 3 (19) 69 E. D. Wilkinson. W.L., 14 9 7 19 16 0 GO) 65 Mrs D. A. Stewart, W.L., 9 4 16 10 6 16 (12) 61 M. Stephenson, W.L. 8 0 18 7 11 17 (14) 61 W. N. Laws, W.L. 5 7 16 12 2 (6) 33 J. Smith, Anc. 12 0 7 5 1 (0) 16 F. Lang, Anc. 2 5 2 1 1 2 (0) 13 Section D. W. A. Larsen, B.O. 21 26 27 18 4 21 (25) 117 Miss E. T. Somer, R.I.R. 19 10 22 16 17 26 (14) 110 W. E. Jones, R.I.R. 9 8 24 8 It 20 (17) 86 F. A. Dcwhurst, R.I.R.* 0 21 8 0 22 26 (16) 77