Notes for the Poultry Keeper

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7269, 23 September 1933, Page 9

Notes for the Poultry Keeper

(By J. H. Kissling, Massey College.)

Egg-Laying Contests.

New Zealand can be proud of the fact that she has held egg-laying competitions almost continually since 1903. Very few competitions date back beyond this date, though some of the English trials commenced operations much earlier but only for a limited period. Last year seme 18,000 birds were entered im approved egg laying trials in England. At one contest alone no less than 4,500 birds competed, with a first prize valued at £IOOO. The object in commencing these laying tests was to try out different strains and breeds of poultry. Naturally a win brings with it a demand for stud' stock, so tkat breeders mako every effort to send in tlieir best birds. The period is usually 50 weeks, leaving a fortnight in which tho contest pens arc cleaned out and prepared for the incoming pullets. Conditions in each section arc identical; all birds receiving exactly the same feeding aud attention. Not only do the number 'of eggs count, but weight is also taken into consideration and those birds failing to lay a fullweight egg are penalised. All birds, to be accepted, must be fair specimens of their breed, of standard weight, and of course in perfect health. Undoubtedly there is a lot of what we call luck attached to putting up a record and freak high scores aro not considered as important as regular good laying year after year. Tho breeder wh,o enters pullets that average 200 or rcore eggs per bird per annum has proved to the buying public that his birds aro true utility stock. In order to score over the 250 egg mark conditions must be very favourable to even tho best bred and reared stock. Very few realise the difficulties met with in the management of laying contest birds. Rules must be made and followed. When a large number of birds are competing the book-keeping is quite a little job of work, and as cock competitor expects tho manager to know ail about his birds, individual knowledge is required. At one time the object was to produce high records but that was not the original principle in conducting these contests. Tho object was to test and return the birds in fit condition for future breeding purposes. If they are forced for very high records, the stamina of tho birds is impaired and careful treatment must follow theiT return homo if these birds are to bo of any breeding value. There are four contests in New Zealand. Those at Auckland and Christchurch each. test annually about 500 birds, including ducks. That at Massey College has this year increased to 170 birds, whilst the Taranaki contest tests about 70 birds, including a few ducks. In the past, contests wore conducted at other centres, one of the earliest being at Lincoln College; another at Cambridge back about 1908; whilst the Blenheim tost was carried out by the Department of Agriculture many years ago. Both Auckland and Christchurch have received some Government assistance, as unless a very high entry fee is charged the society sponsoring the contest cannot pay its way. Wages at the Auckland test used to total no less than £SOO which is at, the rate of £1 a bird per annum, rather more than the best layers can earn in a year. A Useful Text Book.

Every poultry keeper should possess a copy of “Utility Poulttry Keeping,” edited by the Chief Poultry Instructor of the Department of Agriculture and sold by them at Is. This used to be given away free, but being of value, it was retailed in second-hand shops at as much as 2s,- so that the Department placed a nominal charge on its publication. Dealing with every aspect of poultry farming, this book will give you the answer to many questions which are liable to crop up at any time of the year. To the novice much of the contents may appear dry reading, but as interest increases in your poultry work, so will the value of this text book bo appreciated. In addition to such a book interested, persons should subscribe to at least one of the weekly poultry journals. From them one gains many useful pointers, whieh will far more than pay the cost of subscription. Businessmen tell us that we don’t know enough about our farming work, and certainly there are many who do far too little reading.

Eggs Tor Export. Already many eggs have left our shores for England whish country they arrive at when egg values are at a premium. Backing usually takes place from the end of August until late im October, removing some of the surplus spring production. Whilst grading, packing, and transport costs are high, returns are profitable, if not directly, indirectly in that export helps to hold tho local market. All eggs exported must bo strictly graded according to size into “packs” of so many pounds weight per long hundred. This grading is supervised by officers of the Department of Agriculture and already an excellent reputation has been established for New Zealand egg 3 on tho English market. England spends about 16 million pounds on imported eggs every yeaT, and whilst her own production has increased rapidly during the last ten years it is not likely that she will ever produce all her requirements so far as oggs in shell are concerned- Australia, particularly New South Wales, has developed a big trade in exported eggs during the last three years, and tho local price governed by export values entirely. A full, two-ounce egg is preferred for export, which is one reason why breeders are so keen to establish strains that consistently lay goodsized eggs. Brown-shelled eggs fetch a slightly higher price than white shelled. Mr J. B. Merrctt, once of Now Zealand, who accompanied tho first shipment of Now Zealand eggs to London, tells a pretty tale of their consumption. Tho catering firm who purchased the whole shipment, asked him to see them opened up at a certain hour one morning. De-

layed by traffic, Mr Merrett was half an hour lato for his appointment, only to find that all the eggs had already been used!

General Notes. It is getting late for chicks and those who have not already hatched their full requirements should endeavour to do so at as early a date as possible. Lato hatched chicks do not thrive as well as those hatched now, and do not commence laying until egg prices have dropped. All adult birds moult during the autumn months, and it is only pullets that will. produce eggs during April, May and June. Hens passed their second laying season are best disposed of as soon as they show signs of moulting, usually about February or March. Whon brooding chicks artificially, do not go by a thermometer but rather by the bohaviour of the chicks. They should not crowd close together at night but spread out almost as if dead. Sunshine supplies good health to all living things and young chicks should always be allowed as much fresh air and sunshine as the weather permits. If they must be housed, add a little cod liver oil to their mash.

Keep up tho protein content of chick food until tho youngsters are at least eight weeks old. Meat and milk are high protein foods. After they are weaned and well feathered, reduce the amount of protein, otherwise they will mature too quickly. No pullet should commenco laying until almost six months old. If they lay before this their bodies will bo small and tho chances are that a large number of very small eggs will result. Watch out for body lice as the warmer weather approaches. Loose-feathered birds may bo dusted with sulphur or somo insect powder. For largo flocks use black leaf 40 ou the perches as directed. Tobacco dust is now available in New Zealand and is useful to prevent intestinal worms. It should bo mixed in tho mash, cither wet or dry, at the rate of 2 per cent, daily. Ducklings may bo batched right up to Christmas. If hatched too early they will suffer from the long dry summer weather. Tho ideal hatching dato is about the middle of November.

Young ducklings must always have plenty of drinking water. A bath is not essential, but they must be able to wash, out their bills and eyes. Even at night water should be available. Keep their sleeping quarters dTy, or leg weakness will result.

Dispose of all surplus breeding males as soon as a]l tho hatching ogg3 required have been obtained. The feed bill must be kept as low as possible if a profit is desired.

EGG LAYING CONTEST 24th. WEEK’S RESULTS Single Pens. Section B. Mrs Dimant, 8.0. (6) 94 T. Douthwaito, 8.0. 1 (6) 118 2 (6) 134 A. GL Prankham, 8.0. (7) Six Mrs Hellaby, 8.0. 1 (5) 135 2 (6) 94 Larsen Bros., 8.0. 1 (7) 144 2 (0) 46d S (6) 117 Mrs Scarrott, 8.0. 1 (6) 100 2 (6) 130 Mrs Waddell, 8.0. 1 (7) 124 x 2 (5) 115 x W. E. Watson, 8.0. (6) 111 Mrs Davey, L.S. (2) 74x Mrs Youngson, Bk. W.— (0) 77x K. Mouldcy, E.I.E. (6) 100 Section A. Chas. Barker, W.L. 1 (6) US 2 (5) 72x A. Strawbridge, W.L. 1 (5) 71 Mrs Cannon, W.L, (6) 128 G. H. Cross, W.L. (7) 69 E. M. Galvin, W.L. 1 (6) 121 x 2 (0) 130 x 3 (5) 51 JT. T. Hazlewood, W.L. .1 (5) 124 2 (5) 113 Mrs Hellaby, W.L. (5) 131 Mrs Dimant, W.L. (6) 68 J. Ibbotson, W.L. (4) 101 W. J. McAloon, W.L. (7) 06 D. Kruse, Anc. 1 (6) HO 2 (6) 102 x Miss Mitchell, W.L. (6) 126 A. G. Mumby, W.L. 1 (6) 121 2 (6) 107 Mrs Stewart, W.L. 1 (5) 111

2 (5) 134 A. Strawforidge, W.L. 2 (4) 3 (6) 60 W. H. Barker, W.L. 1 (5) 82 2 • (5) 91x 3 (5) SO 3, Smith, Anc. 1 (5) 81 2 (5) 51 W. F. Stent, Min. 1 (5) 4.8

2 (6) 52 A. E. Watson, Br.L. 1 (6) 104

2 (5) 69x Mrs Youngson, Bk. L.— (6) 87

Team Results Section D. (AH B.O.) M. L. Boyce 82 121 147 69 114 108 (35) 641 Mrs Hellaby 41 83 110 56 87 129 (31) 500 Larsen Bros.

83x 71x 92 69x 76x 87 (35) 478 Mrs Warren

52 53x Ssx 94 66 37 (37) 387 Mrs Scarrott 49 42 48s 67 46 64 (32) 315

Section C. F. S. Allen, W.L. 111 89x 125 123 67d 132 x (30) 647 P. B. Harrison, W.L. 125 x 111 128 102 100 81 (30) 647 Mrs G. Hillman, W.L. 94 9S 95 105 x 105 120 x (34) 617 H. A. Lucas, W.L. 112 97 118 113 42 88 (31) 570 E. B. Wainseott, W.L. 94x 114 115 76 60d 104 (27) 5<58 Mrs Hellaby, W.L. 75 75 92 118 Mfe 37d .(84) 528

P. T. Wimble, W.L. 61 104 74 64 96 119 (29) 51S J. T. Hazlewood, W.L. 70x 87 02 74 llOx 94 (30) 497 Miss Mitchell, W.L. 98 92 69 89 59 85 (30) 492 A. G. Mumby, W.L. 89 69x 62 78 69 78 (19) 445 A, Strawbridge, W.L. 56 92 103 45d 49x 71 (25) 416 S. D. Morris, W.L. 65x 91 19d 89 43d 103 (21) 410 W, G. King, W.L. 5Tx 64 29 50x 76 63 (27) 339 G. E. Manning, W.L. 25x 65 36 74 3S 53x (2o) 291 W. P. Stent, Min. 62 13 26 74x 34 78 (23) 287 Disqualified, egg weight clause, “d” Bird dead.