POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 49

POULTRY NOTES.

By Terkok.

- From this on, till the end of October, fanciers and breeder? will he busy atteswing to iuc-üba-tson of eggs and the rearing of youu-g chick*. Those who keep both the heavy and light breeds w ill give their first attention to the former, which arc slow maturing : the end -of September and October is early enough for the Mediterraneans. Eggs for incubation should be selected from pens composed of strongly-ronstituted stock only. Weakly birds should on no account be permitted in the breeding pen. Either the rooster or the hens in each pen should be fully matured bird* — ie., birds that have moulted. Kggs laid by liens- not only healthy, but weighty — not fat and indolent — will .give strong chick** Eggs laid by extra good layers, so long as they are not overdoing it. and thereby reducing their ijtrength, should be selected with a view to creating a laying strain. Discard eggs that are abnormal iv any way — that b to- say, noticeably *mall or large, round, humpy, or pointed at both ends. The exception is in cases where the peculiarity is characteristic of the layer. Of course the eggs nrast be fresh. Always discard double-yoked eggs. For preference, make the ntwt ju a hollow in the ground,, but take c-are that drainage caimot find its way in. A comfortable nest -can be made iv a box, but the hen must be able to »<*.p gently on to the eggs. Many eggs sre "broken by fowls having to jump down to the nest. Sprinkle insert powder en the straw before plaring the eggs in, and see that the hen ie herself clean. Remove llie ben carefully from the nest every day, end feed liberally with hard corn, maize for choice, as thi-- best maintains the abnormal heat of the incubation period, and, very important, tends to harden the droppings, thus «eeiiring cleaji eggs. Eggs should be tested on the tenth day, and all infertile removed. X two liens have ben set at the same time, and many eggs have failed to start, the fertile^ caai be all put to Uttc one bird and the other started with a fresh lot.

Don 't disturb the hen at hatching time pwepr to remove a hells. Shells left iv tha nesr. are apt to telescope with eggs that a.i-e hatching, and thus cause mischief. Leave the chicks with the mother without food for 2* hours — warmth is tlie important rhiujr at this stage.

Thone who hare chickens already hatched should note that warmth, rleanlincsa, and regularity in the matter of feeding arc absolutely necessary to pecuro b«.*t result*. Dieregard of th©3O essentials will lead to disappointment, no matter lu>w blue may be the Wood or excellent the food. With regard to warmth, even the natural brooder will not supply this unless the quarters* are dry. Cleanliness, to be thorough, neceasitjitcs constant sweeping of the floor pf the filcepiug compartment, which should lie off the ground, and. lor the first mouth a dry run well -strewn with dry, dusty earth should be provided. Chicks should not be allowed ont of this ruu unless the weather 'if particularly fine. Regularity of meeds implies no long spells, bnt frequent servings. Food not -consumed at the meal should be removed, otherwise it may »oiir or become soiled before bemg -eaton. The first week j*iv/» im water, aud mix all food iti milk in preference to water, drying Off the inixturp till the moisture is only just perceptible by additions of dry meal of wiiatetvr kind used. Rolled oats (a flaky or coarse meal) clamped iv milk 16 an excellent food for first two wookfi. Subsequently for auother fortnight oatmeal a.nd pollard mixed and similarly moistened is a suitable fir^t j..eal each day, and ground oats of best quality and 'broken wheat servi»d alternately, should be the food foT the rest of tiie day. A little- fine bonedust may he nji\ed with all soft food from the verr ttait, and fine grit ajid broken shell should bo always within reach of the chicks Thoso who have a mill w ill do well to serve green bone at least twice a weak throughout the whole period of chic-kenhood Those who ha\e not a mill <thould give shrodded meat at similar intervals or miv blood into the fcoft food on alternate day-. Wh*n art-ess cannot be had to grass, it should b^ supplied cm <-liort Thf- olj|c<t of these instructions is to faTour lapirl growt»* of firm fle«h. bone to r-arry suine. and the wereuii'ial for oa?y and quick feathering. th.° rp-^ull being early maturity and good layers f 'hick-Mir 1 , c\pn those boused and cared for as re-eoci-mended m tlie forgoing, should bo frequently examined for vermin, and if found, ir.sec-t powder or sulphur must be freely applied. Lastly, there nn e t be no overcrowding Quartern that are ample one week may be overcrowded the next, for the Mmple reason that the- birds have doubled in .-ize. Drinking veiiselh phould !)r- r mptieel every r^enini? a!id u*])leni«-h^d witii clean water every' morning. When the chicks are very youn^, a stone placed in the- drinking ■vcs3pl (where property mad^ chicken fountains are not used) nrevents chicken-, falling into or ptai fhiiff in the water. Remember that warmth, eloai:!ii'C-Si. and regularity aie essential to success with chicken j. Fanciertj who can bua»t that they have bred good layftta, kaudsome roosters, and show-

winners, though neglecting the precaution* I ha-v-o laid down, arc only uxen of a sea* son's experience. Favourable conditions for which the breeder can take no credit may result in success without epecial care once in a way, but iv the long run carelessness cannot pay. — A catalogue of the Ashburton show, courteously sent me by Mr Ohas. Peterson, of Tiinaru, shows that Ashburton, Christchurch, Oainaru, Timaru, and Rangiora fanciers were the chief exhibitors Wainrat-e, Rakaia, and Thtwald account for tlie balance. In game. Mr H. G. Berryman got first and second for Indian cocks, an importation by Mr Tieugrove getting third. In Indian hens, Mr Berryman took first and second, and Mr R. T. Clark third, lit Trengrove got first and second in Indian pullets, and Mr P. Jones third. Mi S. M 'ln tyre, of Springburc, scored mest of the wins in ' the golden-pencilled Hamburg clasee3 with birds of really good quality. In «ilvßra, Mr T. Blood and Mr it. T. Clark ane the princiiial winners. In white Leghorns, Messrs Whitaker, Hiefaaan, and Clmrk divide hosiours in cocks and hens, cud Messrs Wm. Potter and G. J. Wilkins ■did the same with cockerels and pullets. In 'browns, A. G. Enniß got first -tj^th a heta of' undoubted quality, und first and v.fa.c. -witfi cockerels. Mr H. O. Craighead and 'Mr R, T. Oiaxk took second and third respectively, I am informed that ,this class was supariov to the. one at tho Dutiedin show. Mr C S. Hickman made all the wins in brown puT lefc^. In Minorca' cocks R. T- "Clark tooi. "first, W. J. Brierly second ; hens, A- HendrjT jirat and third, and J. Ballantine second : -coekerek, A. Hendry firat, D. Hampton second, and J. Ballantine third, with really .Jiandsome birds. Pullets, first and special, A. Hendry. second P. Jones, -third E. C. Pickford. Plymouth Rooks, F. J. Lttndon, C R. Aloorn, and R. T. Clark shared most of the prize-money. Mrs.C. W. Wa-fcson .scored first with a pullet. Dorkings (in classes where there was competition): R. T. Clark, H. G. Berryman, P. Jones. J. Croy, and F. B. 'Turner took the cards. Lang«kans — Berryman, lies, and Parker scored in the order named -for cocks ; J. J. Parker got first and second with hens ; and Gill Bros, third ; cockerels, H. C. Craighead first, W. M'Craokeu second, and J. J. Parke* third ; pullets. F. C. Haeh first and second. Gill Bros, third. Messrs Breeze, Lundon, and Clark divided all honours in Hoydans In silver Wyandottes Messrs Hach, Tindall^ and Clark got most of the prizes, but E. S Ooster too!.- first for cock. Black Orping* tons — GJ. T. T>uke's cook scored first R Bruin * second; hens, Chas. Peterson first and second, G. T. Duke third ; cockerels, Peterson first aud special, B. Baker second, R. Brown third ; pullete, R. Brown first, C. Peterson second, G. T. Duke third. This latter class afforded some- very keen competition.

— Dear Terror, — Some few weeks ago I wrote asking you the rauae of " lny fowls going wrong in their feet, showing by sketches the appearance of the growth. Aji I have never .seen your 5 reply, perhaps the letter has been mislaid or lost. If so, wiQ you please let jne know in next Witness, -andl . t shall send full particular* The best Oe_p ing ton hen I have is iiow- crippled, and 1) am a-fraid I shall have to Jciil her. Thkf will make the third real good JDrpiugton T have had to kill owing to this cause. .My t fowls are not laying at all, although they * look well. I am confident the reason i» owing to their being too fat. What do" you suggest as the "beet food for getting then? down? I feed them as follows: — Morning: Bran and pollard, warm. ; scraps at noon ; broken wheat at night. All above in limiieq quantity — that is to say, they appear alway.l hungry and anxious for more. — I am, etc.,

M. J. S.

fYour former letter did not Teach m*w Possibly your fowls are on an asphalted floor, which is too cold and hard for heavy birds, or perhaps the perobos ar©vplaced tob high. Eighteen inches from the floor hi ample height to roost. To roduco weight, discontinue the midday feed, and take oara that the first meal is mixed neaSrly dry — it should break and- crumble when thrown. It is questionable whether, fowls ehonld be always hungry and anxious for more. To be healthy and contented and consequently to lay well at least one meal each day should* be satwfyrag as regards quantity. To ensure a plentiful egg supply, tho proportion of pollard should be greater than that of the bran, say 2 to 1. See that the broken wheat is of good quality, and probably you would jj«t better results by substituting whole oats for it. — Tehrob.]