THE SUSSEX FOWL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 17

THE SUSSEX FOWL

HINTS ON REARING With the idea of furthering the interests of the Sussex fowl the Sussex Club, England, headed by the secretary, Mr. Clem Watson, is taking steps to bring this ideal table fowl more before the public. With this object in view Sussex fattening experts, were invited to attend a meeting to go into the question of the special requirements of the consuming public. Iho following points were emphasised: — (a) The standard of the Sussex is sound and correct, if only breeders will stick to the type of bird required by that standard and pay part cular attention to width and flatness of back. The principal faults pre* ynlent from the table poultry point of view are this lack of width and flatness of back, and too great a length of leg. (bl The general market demand is for a soft l}ird of from 3Jlb to 61b weight, and the fattener wants a bird of about 3Alh which should bei from 12 to 14 weeks old, when by the special feeding the flesh is softened and the extra weight added. (c) This bird can be produced from any variety of the Sussex, providing the right type is used for breeding. While the light or white varieties give the cleanest skin, owing to the absence of dark pin feathei's, any variety can be used if only they are used before the pin feathers become prominent. (d) The use of dry mash is a great drawback, because the flesh is not supple enough, and doos not lend itself so well to the fattening method. To obtain the best results the chicks should be fed on soft food right from the shell. ,