SCRATCHINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 2

SCRATCHINGS

The Government expert at Johnsonville said: The first essential is to keep good birds and to know the best to breed from. The only reliable way to get a correct estimate of a hen’s laying ability is by single pens or trap-mosting.. No matter how good the breeding, constitution is a factor that must never be disregarded. Because a hen is a good layer it does not always follow that she will be a good breeder. Never use forcing foods for egg-pro* duction; give a variation of diet. Ton cannot overfeed a laying hen with the right class of food. Give the birds plenty of exercise in the daytime and fresh air without draught at night.

A hen that has to be fed on a recluo n! ration to keep down condition is no •good as an egg-producer. Skim mill; is the best possible fluid for drinking purposes. A regular supply of green feed is requisite; watercress is the best, but there are many other plants that may be cultivated for the purpose. It is not advisable to make suddci changes in the nature of the daily ration. Tho .open-front houses with sides and back draught-proof are the best. Houses should he built in a dry, sheltered place, where the sun can penetrate all the year round. Don’t build a cheap house because it is cheap; study the comfort, of the ’birds, and don’t overcrowd. Unless dropping-boards are thorough ly cleaned at frequent intervals they are a menace to the health of the birds. Beware of encouraging disease by neglect of cleanliness. A good dust bath is a splendid means of promoting health in fowls. The best time to hatch chickens for egg-laying is between July and tho end of September. Incubators are essential nowadays to get early chickens ; the only alternative is to buy day-old chicks. Never buy any other than "a firstquality incubator that has been proved by the test of time. , Don’t leave broken eggs about; they ’teach the hens bad habits. In artificial brooding the majority of fatalities are caused through chills and overcrowding. The best way to fight disease is to prevent it. Porches should never touch th'e walls of tho buildings, and should be frequently dressed with disinfectants. Have no tentiment in culling; cult all the year round. Birds showing weak constitution should go first, likewise the early monitors.