POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 199, 24 July 1941, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”; A retired banker with 2000 birds, in Australia, claims tli.it lie saves £2 10s weekly in feed costs by the use of soaked wheat. 'lbis method has been tried by many and there is evidence of success by some, whilst others record failutc. Let us seo bow this man uses it : "'1 be principal error made by most users of soaked wheat is that they do not allow the wheat to soak long enough,” says the rejiorf, which adds: “You must feed shot wheat, not just soaked grain.” The method adopted in this ease is as follows: 'J lie wheat is soaked for 16 to 24 hours; there is no fixed time because some grains soiten quicker than others. The excess water is then drained off and the grain is spread out on a concrete floor with hags thrown over the wheat. Usually in another 24 hours a soft white shoot appears. Then to every 2001 b (dryweight) of wheat arc added 2011> of meat meal, 61b coconut meal, Ijlb bene meal and li kerosene tins of brail. Note, the dry ingredients are mixed before adding to the wheat. Salt (l£lb) is then dissolved and the liquid poured over the wheat. r lhc whole is again well forked over, rising a potato fork. About 91b (dry weight) is fed to every ICO birds. This constitutes the morning’ meal. For the evening meal oyster shell (lour is substituted for the bonemeal. Chaffed green feed is given at mid-day! Important; Any change over to soaked wheat-should he made gradually until in about 14 days only soaked grain is fed. The experience of many users of soaked grain has been that often the grain beeaine soured in the soaking process. Ihe user in this case says this only occurs when mould growth is present., lie has also used soaked maize, the drawback here being that it needed 48 hours to soak and three days longer to sprout. America, it is stated, is preparing to use eggs in the rations for her soldiers, on the basis of ail egg a day for each man in the army. It is expected there will bo 1,500,000 men in training by next month. There is nothing to be gained in having male birds running with lions unless hatching eggs are required. Indeed, loss can accrue, it being estimated that fowls without a male bird with them give much greater production. Lawn clippings are not plentiful as yet, but soon there should lo a good supply. Plots planted with suitable grasses aro a good source for the supply of green feed and many producers prefer llio mowercut food to many others. Never uso a. cockerel, or aiiv adult male bird, after moulting, until the sickles are fully grown. Until then the bird is not lifted for a breeding pen. l In the case ot a cockerel, it shows tint the bird is not fully- matured, and until it is tho bird should not ho used for reproduction.