Notes for the Poultry Keeper

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7287, 14 October 1933, Page 9

Notes for the Poultry Keeper

(By J. H. Kissling, Massey College) Importance of Egg Size. The standard weight for an egg is two ounces, although to most people an egg .is just au egg. The careful breeder will weigh all his hatching eggs, until experience teaches him to quickly pick out full weight eggs. In some countries oggs are sold by weight, while even in New Zealand to-day wholesale egg merchants grade consignments of eggs and pay out on grades, which is getting very close to selling them by weight. Moderation in everything is usually desirable, and the hen that lays a very large egg will not lay as many as tho small egger. But the chief reason for maintaining egg size is in the fact that small eggs frequently denote lowered vitality. Any weakness in the brooding, programme will usually be indicated first by a lowered average egg size. Keep in mind that a pullet lays a small egg, to start with, but tho best breeders should lay a full two-ounco egg by the time they are eight to nine months old. Such birds will lay a larger egg in their second year. For export a full two-ounco egg is desirable, as European competitors on the English market send over very large dark brown eggs, which command a premium on tho Homo markets. It is not difficult to improve egg size in your flock if only full weight eggs are selected for hatching purposes. In particular seo that all male birds used como from hens that lay good sized eggs, and preferably from tested birds with good scores as well. Naturally the poorer layer will tend to produce a larger egg than tho fast layer, but not always so. Certain breeds have the reputation for laying large or small eggs, though this is more a matter of strain than breed. As a rule dual purpose breeds are inclined, to lay a smaller egg than the light breeds. * As size and shape are hereditary, great caro must bo exercised in selecting eggs for incubation. A test which will prove the variation in size and shape can bo made by trying to select a dozen eggs all exactly tho same weight and shape. Careful observations will prove to you that every hen lays somewhat differently sizod and shaped eggs. 'Watch; also shell texture. It should bo smooth and glossy as well as hard and tsrong. Feeding and environment will influence size and texture but not colour and shape. For incubation rich golden yolks are preferred, which are obtained from birds on complete free range, due to the amount of green feed eaten. Fale Yolkcd eggs may hatch all right, but the chicks will be difficult to rear. To those that are sufficiently interested, an egg is far more than just something for breakfast. Pedigree Breeding Anyone can mate up a pen of fowls and hatch chicks, but to acquire sufficient experience to produce pedigree stock of good quality requires many years application of patience and knoowlodge. There are three phases of poultrykeeping: commercial egg production, which is tho chief aim of most 1 poultrymen; table poultry production, which is not very profitable in New Zealand owing to the high price of <fr d and the lack of a keen demand; and pedigree breeding. Sometimes they are combined. In pedigree breeding many phases must be considered, and the initial expense in setting up the plant is much heavier as appliance such ias trapnests must be installed, whilst eggs must bo woighed, egg records carefully kept, birds weighed, growth and feathering noted, and very careful records kept of all matings. The birds must bo kept in small flocks instead of largo laying flocks; a reputation as a prize winner at utility shows must be established, whilst some good laying records proven in open egg-laying contests are very helpful in making sales. The stud breeder must bo a competent judge for one cannot breed until one knows what ono is trying to produce. In order to hatch sufficient stock from his best birds the pedigree dealer must hatch over a longer period, carefully web-marking all chicks. Yet in spito of theso additional troubles and expenses, once a reputation is established good prices are obtainable for surplus stock and. eggs. One breeder in Now Zealand has hatching eggs priced as high as 20s. each, and what is more, many of them are sold at such prices. Stud cockerels, which cost little more to rear than others, sell from 253 to 65s each. Old hens, instead of being passed out to the butcher can be sold as breeders at 'fair prices. Perhaps tho chief draw-| back to stud breeding in New Zealand is the limited demand, for we are a small country with only a small population and saturation point is easily reached. A bird worth £5 in New Zealand might easily fetch £2O in a larger populated country. Specialisation has not been reached in poultry farming in this counttry and many -would be surprised at the poultry activities, say, In America, where some do nothing but hatch eggs, others rear them, others produce eggs but never keep a rooster on tho farm, whilst those that supply table birds procure all their requirements from culls sold in the markets. General Notes. ' Entries for the National Laying Test totalled 3,898 birds, whilst accommodation is provided for only 684 birds. A ballot is taken for the available space. Mrs Pape, a keen breeder of the Wellsummer, states that the breed must show better egg records if it is to maintaiu its popularity. As a rule these new breeds require at least ten years to “settle down.” Captain tho Hon. C. K. Greenway, whose farm at Stanbriidge Earls sends out some of the be3t Rhode Island Reds .bred theso days, has had complete charge of arrangements for the British Section at the World’s Poultry Congress. English critics are having an argument as to whether a poultry judge can nominate his own assistant or steward. Boano judges have refused to

act unless allowed to appoint their own stewards. If many breeding pens are kept, care must be exercised to see that the netting runs are kept in good repair. Many a pedigree has been spoilt by tho uewelcomo visit of tho rooster from next door. Watch the growing stock carefully. Remove any that are behind in growth and if obviously weak they aro best destroyed. Such runts arc often responsible for spreading disease. There is still a keen demand for broody hCns and any surplus cluekers should be advertised for sale. The price obtained depends on the age and value of the hen as a layer after she has reared her family. The Manawatu Poultry Club recently received an array of trophies which should make exhibitors sit up and take interest in forthcoming show-s. Good prizes usually attract kco: competition. Red Mimorcas have made their appearaneo in England, though they aro not yet recognised by tho Poultry Club. The white variety is not uncommon in America. If rats are about a, good cat will save the lives of your chickens. By setting a breakback trap near any holes, tho odd visitor can be trapped. Poultry require shell grit and gravel for proper digestion. The shell is used for making lime for body requirements and tho forming of egg shells, whilst gravel is needed for grinding purposes. Carrots can be sown now for use next winter when green feed is short. If any -lucerne is to be planted see that the ground is free from weed seed, and sow any time now. Weed carefully for the first season and better results are. obtained if the seed is sown in rows. EGG LAYING CONTEST 27th. WEEK’S RESULTS Single Pens.

Section B. Mrs Dimant, B.O. — (5) 112 T. Douthwaite, B.O. 1 (4) 132 2 (6) 154 A. G. Frankham, B.O. — (6) 99x Mrs Hellaby, B.O. 1 (4) 150 2 (G) 111 Larsen Bros, B.O. 1 (7) 1G3 2 (0) 46d 3 (5) 135 Mrs Scarrott, B.O. 1 (6) 119 2 (5) 143 Mrs Waddell, B.O. 1 (4) 141x 2 (6) 131x W. E. Watson, B.O. — (1) 124 Mrs Darey, L.S. — (1) 89x Mrs Youngson, Bk.W. — (0) 78x K. Mouldey, K.I.B. — (6) 117 Section A. Okas. Barker, W.L. 1 (5) 133 2 (5) 88x A. Straw-bridge, W.L. 1 (G) SS Mrs Cannon, W.L. — (7) 148 G. H. Cross, W.L. — (5) 85 E. M. Galvin. W.L. 1 (3) 134x 2 (G) 147x 3 (6) 6S J. T. Hazlervood, W.L. 1 (5) 141 2 (5) 127 'Mrs Hellaby, W.L. — (6) 150 Mrs Dimant, W.L. — (6) 84 J. Ibbotson, W.L. — (5) 116 W. J. McAloon, W.L. — (6) 116 D. Kruse, Anc. ' 1 (G) 123 2 (6) 117s Miss Mitckell, W.L. — (5) 141 A. G. Mumby, W.L. 1 (6) 13S 2 (5) 12-i Mrs Stewart, W.L, 1 (3) 124 2 (4) 147 A. Strawbridge, W.L. 2 (5) 114 3 (6) 78 W. H. Barker, W.L. 1 (5) 97 2 (6) 109x 3 (5) 96 J. Smith, Anc. 1 (5) 97 2 (5) m W. F. Stent, Min. 1 (6) 64 2 (5) 69 ‘A. E, Watson, Br.L. :i (7) 123 2 (5) S4x Mrs Youngson, Bk.L. —- (G) 102 Team Results. Section D. (All B.O.) M. L. Boyce 101 140 IGlx 87 134 128 (38) 751 Mrs Hellaby 56 102 128 71 105 147 (34) 609 iLarsen Bros. 104x 89x 113 89x 93x 10G (41) 594 [Mrs Warren 73 71x 102x 112 84 57 (38) 499 Mrs Scarrott G9 59 64.x 85 45d 81 (31) 403 Section 0. P. B. Harrison, W.L. 138x 128 US IIS 118 100 (35) 750 F. S. Allen, W.L. 131 107x 143 141 G7d 153x (32) 742 Mrs G. Hillman, W.L. 110 116 111 120 121 luSx (S3) 716 H. A. Lucas, W.L. 130 10S 135 127 54 96 (26) 650 E. B. Wainscott, W.L. . llOx 123 131 92 60d 120 (23) 636 F. T. Wimble, W.L. 77 124 §S 81 111 134 (34) 615 Mrs Hellaby, W.L. 93 89 10G 136 144x 37d (27) 605 J. T. Hazlowood, W.L. S7x 104 75 89 127x 111 (32) 593 Miss Mitchell,. W.L. 115 110 8G 105 71 103 (28) 590 A. G. Mumby, W.L. 106 79x 75 SS 81 93 (31) 523 A. Strawbridge, W.L. 70 104 115 45d 67x 89 (22) S. D. Morris, W.L. 490 S2x 109 19d 107 43d 118 (22) 478 W. G. King, W.L. 74x 79 29 GSx 93 SI (28) 424 G. iS. Manning, W.L. 25d 82 44 91 54 71x (23) 367 W. F. Stent, Min.. 66 26 41 90z 46 92 (22) 361 u x” Disqualified, egg weight clause. “d” Bird dead.