POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 21 April 1938, Page 15

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder./’) Says an enthusiast: “Poultrykeeping is what the owner makes of it. Some make it pleasurable and profitable; others drift or plunge into it and come out of their venture poorer instead of richer. As it is in a garden that is left to look after itself, weeds abound and flowers are deprived of their full chance of development, so it is with fowls lacking constant care and attention.” A change of diet just when pullets are beginning to lay is a sure way to upset them and retard the production of eggs. “Cockerel.” —Yes, if you can arrange for two to three months’ free range for that special bird you intend to use in the breeding pen next season by all moans get it. There is nothing better for a young breeding male. An odd. rumpless pullet in a flock is often seen. Experience proves that this is no defect so far as laying eggs goes. Indeed, it has been known for such types to be most prolific in egg production. It should not be used in the breeding pen, or the trouble might be encouraged and perhaps perpetuated. N A breeding pen should consist of the best, hens in the flock, mated to a cockerel of undisputed egg strain. Too often is the selection of the breeding pen made at the last minute, which means that careful selection is impossible. True, care at the moment may be used. What is meant, though, is that little or nothing is known of the birds selected. At the moment they look well and have all the appearance of good breeders. Is that enough ? Some of these birds, only good looking, may have been the most indifferent layers. They may be “all show,” which of course is not enough for the practical poultryman. Now is the time to begin selecting layers. If any records are available, all the better. A month or two of careful observation will help to decide the ultility of the birds selected for breeders.

The number of eggs laid, the size of egg, the type of bird (that is, size of body), texture of flesh, feather and furnishings—all play their partin deciding the value of a bird as a layer. Do not place too much significance on the number of eggs laid. A good average is a good guide. Too often do we favour tho bird with the phenomenial egg yield regardless of its fitness generally. Of greater importance are health and vitality.

EGG-LAYNG. MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. THIRD WEEK’S RESULTS. The following are the third week’s resuU“ of tho egg laying contest conducted at Massoy Agricultural College, Palmerston North:— SINGLE PENS.

7 7 10 6 15 15 (26)—60

Section B. Mrs R. Willow, B.O 6 19 • W. A. Larsen, A.O 6 18 S. Wilkinson, R.I.R 5 16 L. Mason, R.I.R 2 6 15 J. D. Rowlands, R.I.R 5 13 E. H. Berger, B.O 5 12 Mrs M. M. Chapman, W.L. 5 8 L. Mason, R.I.R 1 5 7 S. T. Bason, Lang 2 6 6 3 6 6 i 3 3 T. Dowthwaite, B.O 0 0 K. Mullins, R.I.R 0 0 Section A. Ancona Stud P.F., W.L 6 17 F. Ecob, W.L. ;; i 6 17 2 6 17 F. S. Allen, W.L 1 6 16 2 5 16 3 6 16 A. G. Mumby, W.L 2 6 16 4 5 16 A. Annan, W.L 6 15 A. A. Hoarc, W.L 1 6 15 2 5 15 T. E. Kcr, W.L. v. 2 5 13 II. Poison, W.L 5 12 F. Ecob. W.L 4 0 8 ill's M. il. Chapman, W.L. .. 1 6 7 A. G. Mumby, W.L 1 6 7 W. F. Stent, W.L 1 4 6 iirs M. M. Chapman, W.'L. 2 5 5 F. Ecob, W.L 3 0 4 P. Mummery, Min 4 4 W. F. Stent, W.L 3 0 3 T. E. Kcr, W.L 1 0 0 TEAM RESULTS. Section D. G. A. Edge, R.I.R.— 16 16 17 17 15 17 (36) —98 W. A. Larsen, A.O.— 18 20 17 6 16 12 (31) —89 Miss E. T. Somer, R.I.R.— 16 2 16 14 11 0 (23) —59 E. W. Stephenson, A.O. — 16 12 9 0 15 0 (23) -52 L. G. Hooper, B.O.— 3 3 1 8 17 3 (18) —35 Section C. F. S. Allen, W.L.— 14 15 16 17 18 14 (33) -94 J. Wilson, W.L. — 11 14 16 18 15 15 (33) —89 J. Mold. W.L. — 12 17 15 14 15 4 (32) —77 F. Ecob, W.L. — 16 13 16 15 4 12 (27) —76 II. A. Lucas, W.L.— 15 11 16 4 13 11 (28) —70 Cotswold P.F., W.L.—