POULTRY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22778, 14 January 1936, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES

~ By TeBBOB. . The Factory System “Though it is early to coma to definite conclusions regarding the economic merits of the * factory/ or laying cage battery, system of egg production, this method has curiously been progressing during the past year,” says a correspondent of The Times (London). This modern tendency to get fowls and chicks off the ground in order to control and .avert disease has doubtless strengthened the claims of the battery system. The objections to it have mostly been based on humanity principles, but the idea seems to prevail with some that a hen with plenty of food can be content in a small cage as in a house or even on a green run. It is certain, however, that robust constitution cannot be maintained under “ factory ” conditions over a generation or two, and that although certain diseases cannot be contracted by fowls “ off the ground,” with weaker constitutions, other troubles, not contracted by fowls on range, are bound to be in evidence before long. The further the poultry-keeper subjects his birds to unnatural conditions the greater the risks encountered. As regards costs of plant and labour there arc differences of opinion, but as some have tried the battery and ' given it up the natural conclusion is that it was found to be an uneconomical system of keeping poultry.

Cruel Packing Following a complaint of cruelty to fowls by overcrowding a consignment sent to the local markets, two Doncaster persons were fined £3. In passing judgment the Mayor stated that future offenders would be sent to prison. Right Feeding In conjunction with rkht breeding, right feeding is the only suite way to success in poultry farming. Why? According to statistics published recently by the New South Wales Egg Marketing Board thero were 8215 producers residing within the area controlled _by the board on August 31 last, as against 10,150 at the same date last year. Feathering and Stamina Feathering well is a sign of stamina in the growing chicks. Slow feathering encourages cannibalism and spoils the value of many otherwise good chicks, says A. F. M. Stevenson, in the Canadian Poultryman. Never use a cockerel for breeding which as a chidk was bare of feathers on the shoulders or over-slow in growing tail or feathers. This hint may apply to the light breeds, but not to the heavies. Who Benefits?

The Poultry World (Australia) asks: Is the consumer reaping most of the benefit from producer-controlled marketing? The point is raised by Mr Hadlington, who states that the older producers in the industry are beginning to realise that competition for trade is not a bad thing for the producer, and that after all the consumer is reaping most of the benefit from producer-controlled marketing.

The Duck’* Digestion The digestive processes of the duck are much the same as the fowl’s, with the following exceptions:—The duck’s bill is rigid and its tongue flanged to prevent much of the dirt and slime it puts its bill into entering its mouth, the oesophagus or gullet is much larger than the fowl’s, but the crop is very much smaller, the glandular stomach between the crop and the gizzard is proportionately larger than the fowl’s, arid this makes the demand for liquid urgent—Poultry (Australia).

The Air Cell of Turkey Egg* The depth of the air cell in turkey eggs during incubation may be used as a guide to check the evaporation, according to C. E. Lampman and J. K. Williams, of the University of Idaho, U.S.A. The average measurements of the air cell in fractions of an inch are:—At 6 days, three-six-teenths to seven-thirky-seconds; at 12 days, nine-ninety-seconds to five-six-teenths; at 18 days, three-eighths; at 24 days, half to nine-sixteenths.

Crop Weaknesses Mr W. Powell-Owen, the English poultryman, says: “A pullet with a crop carried too low, or one which swings about after a griod feed, may have sluggish digestion, and crop binding may follow later. Heavy mash feeding in rearing is generally responsible for such crop weaknesses. Feeding grain and restricting the mash from three or four months of age is a preventive.”

The Environment of the Hen Environment has much to do with the hen’s egg production. Environment includes many things, for instance, the housing provided, the class of soil the plot is built on, rainfall, exposure to wind, the size of yards and houses, mode of being fed, and disturbing elements, mice and frights by strangers, dogs, cats, or vermin, etc. Favourable environment helps production, but where it is unfavourable laying is less than it might be. Better Than Dollars

One of the best substitutes for pollard is wheat meal or crushed wheat. This is made by crushing the whole wheat, making a fairly coarse meal, and leaving the whole of the flour, pollard, and bran in the meal. This forms an excellent mash, with the addition of green stuff, and mixed with warm water or meat soup.

A Retailer’s Practice “ Fresh from the nest ” and “ new laid ” are terms applied to Australian and South African eggs in the selling drive on the English market. As a result English producers are reported to have resorted to a new slogan—“ just laid ” —to enable buyers to distinguish the local product from imported eggs. Ravages of Parasites

Much has been written in these notes of the losses incurred by poultrykeepers through insect pests. The importance of guarding against parasites is stressed by Mr E. C. Cussen, the chief Government poultry instructor. Writing in the Journal of Agriculture, he says; — “Many chickens and young turkeys are lost each year through the ravages of parasites, specially where birds are kept by people who are more or less uninterested, and it is regrettable that quite a number of poultrykeepers do not know the needs of their birds, and expect too much from them for the attention given. The efficient poultrykeeper realises the importance of keeping his birds and their houses in a clean and sanitary state. . . . “ Insect pests play a very important part in the general health and productiveness of poultry, and chickens infested with vermin, whether with a hen or in a brooder, are always stunted and fall an easy prey to disease, and even if they do not become diseased they do not develop into profitable stock. Pullets, if infested with vermin, do not grow as they should, and may often fail to lay until they are nine or 10 months old, and even then do not lay well. Cockerels or cock birds that are allowed to become infested with parasites are unsatisfactory as breeders, and when mated do not give good fertility. The setting hen, if troubled with vermin, may be driven from her nest or may become so thin that she will fail to effect a good hatch, and the food given her may produce looseness of the bowels. “Whenever hens or chickens appear listless, or are not thriving, although they have no definite ailment, it is well to examine them for lice, for there is nothing that is more detrimental to the health or growth of chickens than parasites, especially if they are allowed to get a hold in large numbers. “ Vermin attack poultry in different ways, and while some suck the blood, others irritate the skin by scratching with their sharp claws, while others again form crusts or scabs. The worst parasites are those that suck the blood. Those parasites that irritate the skin by crawling over and clinging to it with their sharp claws are also the cause of much trouble. These insects worry the birds day and night, giving them no rest, and the effect of the want of rest alone can well he surmised. “ Houses that axe dark, damp, badly ventilated, and full of cracks and crevices are breeding-grounds for poultry parasites of all kinds. Scientists who have studied the life-bistory and habits of those parasites have stated that the third generation of a pair of red mite may amount to 120,000. and this increase will take place iu eight weeks

“The poultry-keeper must continue fighting these pests all the year round, for if he relaxes his vigilance for a while the parasites may get such a hold as to upset his plans for a whole year. All parasites may be destroyed by the use of fumes, liquids, or powders. Practically all vermin, except the red mite, can he destroyed or kept in check by dusting fine powder into the fowls’ feathers, but to destroy the red mite a liquid insecticide must he used. The powder used for dusting should he dry and as' fine as possible, for the finer it is the more effective it becomes. A suitable mixture for the purpose can be made up of equal parts of lime, dry earth, and sulphur. Another good method of treating birds for insects is to dip the end of a feather into nicotine sulphate and draw this under the wings or among the breast feathers. Whore a large number of birds has to be treated for vermin the better plan is to place a thin line of nicotine sulphate along the top of the perches just before the birds go to roost. Before applying the nicotine sulphate it is advisable to wipe the perches with a damp cloth in order to remove any dust, thus preventing the liquid from running off and being wasted, . . . “ Though the ravages of parasites may cause so much loss amongst young and old poultry, if the poultry-keeper sees to it that all perches are dressed each week or so during the warm weather with waste car oil, kerosene or some other good liquid insecticide, and if the houses are kept clean and dry and plenty of sunshine allowed into them, he need not he afraid of parasites driving him out of business.”

Reilly’s report a medium yarding to hand for the first sale of the New Year, values being satisfactory. Hens: Bat 7s, 4 6s, 2 5s lOd, 2 5s Bd, 2 ss, 4 4s 8(1, 1 4s 4d, 6 4s 2d, 6 4s, 83 3s 6d, 29 3s 4d, 42 3s 2d, 125 3s, 52s Bd. Cockerels: 10 at 5s 6d, 6 5s 2d, 15 4s, 8 3s lOd, 6 3s 6d, 9 3s 4d, 13 3s, 5 2s 6d, 3 2s, 7 Is Bd, 6ls 6d, 13 Is 4d. Dudes: sat Bs, 6 7s, 7 6s. Geese: 12 at 6s Gd, 6 6s. Pullets: 2at 4s, 22s 6d. All at per pair.