POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 226, 22 August 1940, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) In breeding the chief essential is health. Under, this caption could he enumerated innumerable reasons why the health of a flock should be the first consideration. Is this necessary? Surely even the novice will realise that good average health in his birds is the all important factor contributing to the success of any poultryman. A few of the causes of physical weakness in the flocks of to-day should be studied. Heavy laying birds do not necessarily make the best breeders. Prolific laying of eggs weakens birds to some extent, and without a prolonged period of rest it is very unlikely that these birds are fit for reproduction. If, of course, it is definitely noticeable that the birds have fully recovered, then all is well; otherwise they should not be used. It would be preferable to use birds from the same strain, but which have "not such a high record in eggs. Never use a bird which has that thoroughly exhausted appearance which indicates that her work has been too much lor her. Never use under-sized birds. There is a pronounced falling-off in size in all our popular breeds. This can be arrested by judicious breeding. Have nothing to do with the heavy-boned, coarse-looking bird. 'Texture in feather and furnishings is always a good guide to the type wanted. The male bird, too, should be carefully selected. Size is necessary, but not coarseness. A full breast, an “even keel,” good depth of body, a straight, unbroken breastbone and smoothness of texturo are all points to watch. Above all, choose the healthy birds; those which look it. All other considerations are subsidiary to this.

A Light Sussex breeder reports that after 12 years of continuous inbreeding his stock are as vigorous as when ho began. He has acres of gras.» over which his birds roam at will. His breeders, too, arc carefully selected; there is no guesswork about it; lie uses only the birds fit to reproduce. This is a very rare case, one might say. In-breeding, without doubt, lias limits beyond which even the most experienced does not Venture. However, the golden rule is “Choose the healthy birds only.” It is often said that distance between the pelvic bones of a bird is a guide to its laying powers. This is not correct. The bones only indicate whether a bird is laying or not. A bird in full day will allow for the insertion of two to three fingers between the pelvic bones. If only one finger can be inserted of a certainty, the bird is not laying. AVliat does point to a good layer is the texture of these bones, which should be fine and flexible. Moreover, if the bones are not open during the natural laying season there is something wrong with the bird. This is the only indication that the bird is not fulfilling «s purpose. If trap-nests are used, the drone will also be found, but few have these helps.