Notes for the Poultry Keeper

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6788, 20 February 1932, Page 11

Notes for the Poultry Keeper

POULTRY AS A FARM SIDE-LINE. Ono redeeming point of the present difficult times is that the farmer is .learning to look for any possible way of augmenting Ins farm returns When butterfat is a good price and wlion wool is sky high, he is happy and contented, and in that state ho will not' consider such a sidclino as poultry keeping. Today some farmers have to thank their wives for helping them out with tho regular returns from a small flock of good layers. Pin Money. In better times tho farmer's wife who was capable enough to understand and manage a flock of poultry on the farm, used to get what returns came in for her own use, and many women have saved enough this way to put by quite a useful nest egg. It must bo remembered that poultry require just as intelligent management as apy other live stock, in fact they require far more detailed care. But the farmer has many advantages over the specialist poultryman for as a rule cheap feed is available in tho way of skim milk, corn from the stacks, whilst fowls Pave a habit of foraging for quite a lot of their food if they have tho run of the farm yard. * Where New Zealand Eggs Come From. Very fow people realise that nearly 05 per cent, of tho eggs produced in New Zealand come from poultrykeepcrs with less than 50 fowls. There are approximately only 70 poultrymcn uho keep more than 1000 fowls. If you will consider these figures you. will realise that it is tho farmer who is the real poultrykccpcr of the country. Today tho farmer is realising that he must develop all profitable sidelines, and with cheaper wheat available ho is turning to poultry. The sales of daj-old chicks show that the faramcr is more interested, yet there arc far too many who rush into a largo flock without any knowledge- of the work and trouble involved. Points to Remember. Farmers interested in poultrvkeeping must learn something of the correct management of poultry if they wish to show any appreciable profit. Do not keep more fowls than can bo well housed. Given good shelter, such as is available around many a farmyard, poultry reguiro very little housing, but such a”s it is, it must be kept dry and draught-proof. It is better to let them sleep in tho trees than to houso them in dirty, draughty and vermin infested sheds. " They must be regularly fed on good food. "One feed of grain a day is necessary—the morning feed can consist of pollard mixed with skim milk to a crumbly state. If you are feeding milk, you must always feed it either sour all the time or always fresh; tho former being tho best and the easiest. Feeding. The cost of foodstuffs must be kept down, not by feeding cheap, unsuitable foods, but by careful feeding so as not to leave any waste, and by regular culling of the flock. Farmers should concentrate on keeping a good laying flock, not on breeding or table poultry. There is no profitable demand for table poultry in this country. Breeding and incubation work are best loft to the poultry specialist. Farmers should make full uso of the range available on their farms as it is not profitable to keep too large a flock in ono place. Breeds to Keep. Tho White Leghorn is undoubtedly the most popular egg-producing breed all tho world over and if you require eggs only, you should keep them, but if you keep only a few fowls and wish to have some tabic poultry now and again, it will pay you to keep one of the "dual purpose” breeds such as the Black Orpington. Tbcso birds are not tho very best table birds, but they are larger and'more fleshy than leghorns and yet nearly as good layers. Do not keep more than two breeds; ono is enough, though most people like to keep at least two. There is no need to

keep a rooster, unless you require fertile eggs for hatching purposes. Allow ono rooster for about every dozen hens, if you want food fertility. When to Hatch. Adult stock moult during the autumn, and eggs arc therefore very scarce then as a hen docs not lay for ten to twelve weeks whilst she is moulting. For this reason it is necessary to have young pullets hatched early in the spring, so that they will lay whilst the hens are moulting. August and September aro tho two best hatching months. Later hatched chicks (those hatched after tho end of October) are seldom profitable as they take_ tioo long to grow, and do not lay until the next spring. Sell off most of your hens when they aro 21 years old, just before they start to moult. If you aro short of early pullets and wish to keep up your supply of autumn eggs you will have to buv pullets about now. A good pullet, is worth 10s if she is well Tcarcd and hatched at tho right time. Do not keep mongrels or cross breeds, as breeders have so much improved the purebreds that they will lay far more eggs than any mongrels. A first cross is good, but they arc useless as breeders. Masterton Show. A young bird section was provided at the Masterton A. and P. Show this week, and about 100 birds were entered. Most of tho birds were entered by local breeders, but Massev Collego sent over some birds and seemed to win well, whilst Mr Barrie, of Hawke’s Bay, also sent down some good birds. Masterton is a popular centre for egg pro ducers, Mr Norman’s "Solway Poultry Farm” being ono of tho best farms in New Zealand. There was a largo showing of pigeons, mainly racing homers. N.Z. Poultry Association.

Tho annual conference is advertised to take place at tho Farmers’ Institute Buildings, Wellington, on March 2 and 3 This is the 22nd. annual conference, and tho new Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, has consented to formally open tho conference. There will bo 2-1 official delegates from all over New Zealand, as well as many interested visitors. Anyone is invited to attend, but only delegates may vote. Egg Laying Competitions.

Entries for tho various egg-laying competitions close soon and breeders should see that they have received schedules. Tho contest pens at Massey College have been increased this year, providing 50 single pens as well as tho trap-nest teams' test. Some high scores have been put up at tho Taranaki competition, no doubt due to tho very expert attention giveu to the birds by Mr Don. Stewart, who spends most of his time looking after tho 60 odd birds entered. If stud breeders are to keep pace with tho times, they will find that they must compete to prove the value of their stock. egg laying contest 16th. WEEK’S RESULTS. Light Breeds F. Ecod, 211 231 224 210 271 216 (29) 1402 S. G. Batten, 202 202 185 IS3 210 2/5 (29) 12ot L. B. Maunsoll, 222 220 ISO x 202 200 (01)’ 1218 Mrs D. A. Stewart, 192 19S 182 199 179 177 (22) 1127 K. Brazcndalc, 267 128 186 177 x 181 (21) 1091 A. Norman (5 . birds), 200 182 93 185 x 234 (23) 1082 M. L. Boyce, .117 201 163 x 216 216 (18) 1076 J. N. McLean, 185 132 171 17S 176 167 (20) 1009 Heavy Breeds. J. N. McLean, 215 221 191 112 195 151 (25) 1085 H. Eushton (5 birds), ■> 162 168 13S 190 ISO 116 (22) 9SI Mrs J. A. B. Hellaby (1 birds), 216 235 73 271 63 43 (IS) 901 K. Mouldcy (5 birds), 32 132 73 82170123(10) 612 "x” signifies underweight eggs.