THE RISE IN EGGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 14

THE RISE IN EGGS.

BY UTILITY.

MAINTAINING PRODUCTION. SUITABLE AUTUMN TREATMENT.

The recent substantial rise in the price of eggs, although at a lower range of values than during the corresponding period of last season, will be remembered as quite a common experience during the first week in February. Nevertheless, it is a forcible reminder that autumn is close at hand, with higher prices for the quantity of eggs which will be produced during the next four months, when the old birds will be going through their seasonal moult. It is unfortunate that this often takes place (luring changeable weather, when it is easy for the birds to take cold, especially if they get wot, but it is not difficult to carry them through this trying period, provided ordinary care is taken. It is often thought, if one may judge by the policy carried out, that birds require no attention during the moult, the idea apparently being that because they are not laying, they can do with less food. Really the process of getting an entirely new coat of feathers must be about as exhaustive as laying eggs. An Opportunity to Recuperate.

Having regard to the strain imposed on the modern typo of hen by the high egglaying tendency which has been developed, the moulting season might well bo regarded as a period of rest and recuperation in preparation for the next season. The drain on the system during the laying season is severe enough without imposing the extra strain entailed by not starting in perfect condition. The moulting period gives a convenient opportunity to develop that condition. Feeding comes first in this scheme. It is essential to give plenty, with as great a variety as possible, but with 110 attempt at forcing for egg production in quick time. More grain and less mash is an appropriate policy, with plenty of,, green stuff and plenty of grit. It has also been known for nearly half a century that powdered sulphur is a great aid to the moult, mixing in the daily mash about a dessertspoonful for each ten birds. Tile next thing is to prevent the birds from catching cold, the weather often being most erratic during the moulting period. It is no use leaving them out in a cold and wet yard during showery weather, for they will simply mope round and lose stamina and condition, even if they do not catch a cold. It is betttr to keep them shut up altogether if bad weather comes, even if only limited quarters are available, for this will compensate for the loss of their warm covering. Some birds moult so gradually that they never seem to become bare, and these can stand a good deal of exposure, as long as they are not in a cold wind. Others moult very quicklv when they once start, making it essential that they should be protected. Housing in Late Autumn. This suggests tho advantage of being able to give them continuous housing as soon as the best of the autumn weather is over, for even those birds which are bereft of nearly all their feathers at one time will stand up to a severe drop in the temperature if they are kept in a house free from draughts. It is easy to encourage them to take exercise by throwing a little grain into the litter two or three times a dav, and it will soon be noticed that there is no comparison between their appearance of well-being under such conditions, and their forlorn attitude in an exposed yard. Ample perch accommodation is desirable at all times, and never more than during the moult, for if they are crowded together thev are apt to sweat, and this entails a risk of catching cold. However, colds are more likelv to develop through a draught in the house or wind outside. The fact must never be overlooked that fowls are predisposed to develop all sorts of ailments if they are kept in damp or dirty houses, so regular cleaning must be recommended as easier than curing the fowls if thev become ill. It is not hard to keep the litter perfectly dry, and therefore not liable to become mould- and unhealthy. if it is prevented from coming too close up to the wire-netting front of the house. A board about nine or twelve 'Holies high, placed about four feet bacl. from the front, w'll keep the litter from coming forward. Even if a little driving rain from the north-east gets past the board tho birds will scratch the litter about quite enough to prevent it from becoming mouldy. •Profits From Manure.

The droppings are much too valuable to be wasted, and are recognised as a most useful fertiliser for the garden or orchard, particularly for citrus fruits. If dropping boards are kept the best way is to clean them every day, but the manure is most effective if well-mixed with soil. Otherwise it is inclined to set in a solid mass, which is too wet in the winter, and too dry in the summer. To mix it suitably at. a minimum of trouble, it is questionable whether there is anv better way than spreading on the dropping boards after each cleaning a fair sprinkle of soil off the floor. This is gradually becoming foul, and would have to be taken out periodically in anv case. It is then automatically mixed with the manure, making it in perfect condition to bury in the garden at once. This is much better for all concerned than storing it in a heap, where it is exposed to flies and is throwing off ammonia which would be useful in the soil. Burv it at once, and all its contents will amalgamate with the soil and enrich it, in the meantime periodically putting back fresh soil on the floor of the house, for tho birds to use as a dust-bath.