THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10210, 21 February 1919, Page 7

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

NEW ZEALAND UTILITY CLUB FOURTEENTH EGG-LAYING COMPETITION FOR FOWLS. RESULT OF FORTY-FIFTH WEEK. Special to the "Times." CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. The forty-fifth week of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's fourteenth egg-laying competition ended on February ISth. Results are as follow : LIGHT BREEDS.

Totals 1412 67,693 •One Bird Dead. tTwo Birds Dead. \ HEA.VY BREEDS.

CULLING. The most important work at the present time is the culling of th© two and three-year-old birds. A man does not reouire to bo an expert on laying typo to determine which are tho unprofitable two-year-olds nnd which of the three-year-olds, if any, should be kept as breeders. Tho early moulters are obviouslv the ones to be culled: and especially should these be discarded where breeding birds are being looked for. The late moulter is the bird of vitality —the persistent layer; and it is constitution and ability to lav to the end that are most to be desired. AVhqro comparatively small and high-sided nests are used a good means -is provided of telling the heavy layers, as those will then have their tails worn down with their constant visit to the nesting boxes. Of course it has to be borne in mind that the moderate layer niav moult late, but. this type of bird will always declare itself by its trim appearance, and if a H/Cghorn, by lits bright-coloured legs. The heavv layer obviously bears the marks of 'Us exhausting season. It has been said that fe.v men possess the qualification in determine the laying type. There are, of course, varying degrees of capacitv in selective power, but

there are few" men possessing-'the necessary intelligence..- enthusiasm and power of observation who aro incapable ot educating themselves on this important work. To such men oersisteiit study 01 the' birds' in their flocks must give a considerable; degree.of facility m choosing "the. more profitable types. _.,..' While it is imperative to ft profitable undertaking to sort out tho good from the bad pens it is also necessary to cull out the cockerels intended for the breeuing pens. In this -work the indications of constitution are of first importance. No matter'what the laying pedigree of a cockerel may -be—the dam niay b» quite a phenomenal layer—if it has not the desired constitution it should not be used as a breeder. The narrow, knockkneed tvpe is a danger. Look for width —broad-across -the loins and standing over a lot-of ground—a good- chest, a' clean face, and.stood eye, tight feathering and a bold and alert appearance. His vigour should ba outstanding-. Beware of the precocious cockerel, the one developed into the adult form before his time. Prefer rather the gawky youngster built on srenei'ous, lines. He "it is who will 'develop into the perfect adult. Don't', above "all' things, look for secret signs and alleged indications of power and capaoity. "Use vour own common sense and rely -on your own judgment' rather than on that of tho crank.THIS BROODY. During thoinoxt few months the broody hen will bo a source of annoyance to poultry-keepers who have birds of tho heavy breeds" in their flocks.. In souiu laying" strains' of Whito Leghorns' this trouble is also found, but not to so pronounced an estont as in the heavier and soft-feathered, breeds. Broodiness is a natural condition, very necessary whore hens aro used for hatching purposes. But with the large number of reliable incubators now available tho nceessity for tho habit" has "almost disappeared. Many methods more or less reliable aro adopted in curing broodiness, and several can be recommended. The best is the suspension of the broody hen in n coop composed entirely of wire netting, n-it.li the exception of the top, which can be

made of canvas or wood. The netting should be of about Jin or inch mesh, and the coop should be constructed sc that the bird shall have plenty of room to move about. Tho cage should b« hung under a tree or other shady place, and fastened so that it will swing- easily. A few days will generally break off a determined sitter. Penning the broodies with a young cockerel will aJeo-help to cure the trouble. Dipping broody hens in water, tethering them by one leg, and . tying long rags on their -wings or shanks gre practised with some success. But changing the broody hen from one. pen. to another or suspending her will ; be found the x most effectual remedies. .. MILK. 3lilk and skimmed milk are a. ffreat adjunct to the feWing of chickens and fowls. The ration of milk (fresh) is 1 protein to 2.4 carbohydrates; and that of skimmed milk. 1 protein to 1.9, carbohydrates, thus giving a narrow nutritive ratio. Fresh milk yields, oh the averago. 3.7 per cent, of fat, '-1:9 per cent, carbohydrates, 3.6 per cent, proteins, 0.7 / per cent, ash, and 87.2 per cent, of water. Skimmed, sour, or butter-milk may be improved for feeding purposes by scalding. The whey has no value as food for - poultry—give clean water in,atead.. POINTERS. The backyard ponltry-kcoper keep busy with tho spado through the summer months or expect trouble. Make tho ground sweet by, frequent turning ■ over, oven if grass or rape cannot be ; maintained thereon... .../.. It is quite as important to keep the mash troughs and the water founts clean. This does not mean just free from filth, but free from any odour at all. , ~ ' Chicks grow several "sets" of feather* up to the mature plumage which they get at about four to six months of age. Tbev do not moult as they do late,, but seem to be shoot mg new teat Hers right, along. The first set is m at about . eight weeks; then another ot. about thirteen weeks. ....... -• ,-.-,■;

Weekly Total total. todatn Brown Leghorns— .. 15 1097 .. 18 879 .. 6 940 White Leghorns— .. 27 10S2 .. 20 873 .. 23 1321 .. 24 1265 .. 20 1103 .. 23 1231 .. 17 1242 .. 31 13G1 "J. Noncarrow, senr. ... .. 21 1171 .1. Stevens .. 28 1144 Oxford Poultry Farm .. 18 1276 .. 30 1122 VV. <j. Gee and Sons No. 2 29 1124 .. 25 1CS4 Mrs M. B. Pullar ........ .. 28 1118 .. 83 1339 ' Tris Poultry Farm .. 22 1210 .. 23 992 .. 27 1164 .. 23 1288 .. 25 1282 .. 24 1112 .. 24 994 Dalmuir Poultry Yards .. 23 1098 :-T. W. Beck .. 32 1381 .. 21 1234 .. 23 881 .. 20 1242 H. Williams ..« llei-r-launga Poultry C< .. 19 1202 '.'. 28 10S8 S. L. Upoi- .... .. 17 1249 .. -28 1269 Mrs J. Mi""' .. 28 1157 .. 19 971 Rrmtrhirn Egg Ranch ... .. 23 10S5 .. 17 972 .. 23 1270 .. 21 1137 .. 29 1241 ... 23 1250 .. 26 1141 L. T. Wright ... 14 979 .. H 967 .. 29 1315 S. Dick .... .: 25 1053 ... 19 1149 ,. 22 1103 .1. T.. Tipnfcl! ... 21 9-42 .. ?<; 1200 .. 25 1)50 .. 18 1168 KolJMilp Rturl Poult r.T 8 €87 W. A. Gee and Sons No. 1 23 1137 Itelinblo Stud Poultry Farm No. 1 ... H 11«5 Waimoa Poultry Tards ... 33 1112 Her"trvun<za Poultry C D.. No. 1 .... ... 25 1253 ... 24 13-10 \Pnorcn — ,-.. 12 891 ... 28 1236

Black Orpingtons— *Chas. H. Izard . IS. 874 "T. E. Conway No. 1 ... 6 740 21 987 17 775 16 889 21 1057 White Plymouth Rocks— 27 933 Rhodn Island Reds22 668 23 887 Silver Wynndottes— W. AV. Hewitson ..*.* 21 782 23 954 25 950 +T. E. Conway , -.. 18 476 29 845 26 . 778 •Mrs F. Howell - 21 1 868 F~ _,._._ 332' 13,633 "One jouu +Two Birds Dead. DUCK CONTEST. Indian TtunneTS— 33 1170 IS 1273 15 1163 W. T. Green - 14 1319 14 1236 "Heretaunga Poultry Co.... 11 1281 14 1293 119 8715 •One bird dead. HEAVY BREEDS SINGLE BIRDS CONTEST. Silver Wyandottes— 5 184 5 200 Rhode Island Beds— 0 163 0 124 Barred Plymouth Bock— A. E. Wilson ,...,.„.. 0 169 10 810 LKJHT BEEEDS SINGLE BIRDS CONTEST. White Loghoms— 5 237 H. W. Hawko 5 171 5 237 5 254 4 243 6 156 6 271 -Mrs 0. Mills No. 1 5 180 5 220 G 215 5 181 4 210 0 186 Kclinblo Stud Poultry 0 189 0 117 5 233 6 230 6 190 78 3919 •One bird dead.