POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES

(“By Brooder.”) There is a question regarding the time when pullets should be laying, so a few notes may he helplul. First, it should be remembered that late chickens (that is chickens hatched out ill November and December) may be alright tor the backyard poultryman, I but never for the commercial egg producer. One reason is that they seldom make good working birds, they never mature in time for winter layers, and, worst of all, they are difficult to rear, ft is possible to have pullets coming to profit, when the hens are moulting, otherwise many poultrymgu would go of business. Concentrated effort is made by must poultrynien to have eggs when prices are good, and it is from pullets they derive their supplies. Our correspondent may not know that on most big plants pullets are coming into laying as early as February, and on all successful farms by now* they will be getting into their stride. These pullets were not hatched out in December. More probable is it that they were hatched out in lato July or early August. Hatcheries are closed down by the end of October on most farms. To get eggs now we must have pullets fully matured; this is only 1 possible by early hatching, ff broodybirds cannot bo had, the only thing is to get day-old chicks and rear them artificially—-provide a brooder or foster mother. Chicks hatched out in December will bo slower in coming to profit, and it is doubtful if those in question will lay beiore July. Regarding the run and the destruction of the new grass, “Amateur” made the mistake of putting his birds in too early. Reference to this in preceding notes emphasised that the turf should be allowed to become firmly established, . otherwise birds will scratch it up. The best thing now Mould be to sow again and leave until a good matting of grass matures. A change of runs is not possible every three months; 12 to 18 months would be nearer the mark.