THE FANCIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 28

THE FANCIER.

POULTRY.

Edited by Red Cap. YOUNG GEESE. Goslings should not be fed until they are 24 hours old. During the early stages of their existence the best food adapted for them is oatmeal softened into a paste. They should have a liberal allowance of water —supplied on a shallow plate ; but it is a mistake to allow them to have free access to water ; they should bo confined to about just as much as they are likely to drink. It i 3 better for at least a week not to allow them to swim. They can be put out, when two days old, in a she) tered spot, where they will be strengthened by the sun. It is a good plan to leave a grassy turf in the apartment with the goose and flock from the first. The little ones will speedily find it cut and enjoy the grass. It is a good plan to give them a feed of meal morning and evening for the first ten days ; afterwards they will find enough food in the fields. If the weather be fine, they need not be kept indoor more than ten days, but if wet or very cold, they should be given the shelter of a shed. The old ones will resort to a shed naturally. Instinct teaches them how much cold their broods can bear, and they will always make for shelter when the cold sets in about dusk. Where large numbers are rearei it is better not to give the old geese full liberty. They generally bring off their broods about the rame time, and if five or six old ones with their broods are allowed to run together there will be much quarrelling and consequent loss of goslings. If hatching boxes have been used, they can again be used for coops by having a few bars nailed in front. If these be resorted to the proper plan is to make a barred front for the box and fasten it in. The rails may be 4in. apart, and a door may also be attached, so that they can be shut in at night. This will make a perfect house, and will save the young birds from being wearied, or hurt by the old ones. After they are two weeks old they can have full liberty. USEFUL HINTS. Ccckerels should he at once separated from the pullets, if you have not already done so. All surplus cockerels should be fattened and killed, unless required for show or stock purposes. The young stock generally should now be developing quickly, and beginning to give B‘>n.e idea of future prospects in the show pen. Do not sell the pick of the yard to anyone, unless you are well up in the points of the breed you keep. Many a big prize-winner has been sold in this way, and the breeder does not always get the credit for it either. Very forward cockerels, suitable for exhibition at the early shows, should receive extra attention.

Keep them out of the sun if they show signs of going into moult.

The difference between birds specially treated and those allowed to take their chance can only be understood by those who have tried both systems. However small your yards may be, keep a portion of them under English grass, and let the birds have an occasional treat.

If your birds show any sign of leg weakness a little Parrish’s chemical food, given in the soft food daily, will work wonders.

When purchasing stock birds, if possible, visit the yards they are purchased from and note if the occupants generally are healthy. Now is the time to start a poultrykeeper’s account book. At the beginning of the year all birds and appliances should be valued and recorded.

Next, all items of'receipt and expenditure should be entered up daily, then the number of eggs laid, and how they are disposed off—whether consumed, sold, used for sitting, or for feeding chicks. A hatching record, showing the dates and number of eggs, how many hatched, and the number aet, will also be necessary. At the end of the year there will have to be another valuation, and the debit side will show the first valuation and expenditure, whilst the credit side will give receipts, allowances for eggs and

The balance between one side and the other will determine the protit or the loss, whichever has resulted. The above instructions may seem difficult to follow, but it will bo worth the time and trouble expended. If, however, you come out on the right side it will prove that the breed you keep is suinable for the place. By breeding from pedigree stock you have a chance of producing a bird for which a good price can be obtained. It is these occasional good ones which help our fanciers to pay their way, with sometimes a nice little balance over at the end of the year.

Cable advices have been received to the effect that the frozen poultry shipped from Auckland by Messrs Edwardes and Aimer has realised 5s 3d *each in London. Mr Aimer has gone Home to form a company in Liverpool in connection with the industry.