POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 35

POULTRY NOTES.

Bi Teshob.

—Mr Cooper Curtice, one of the most prominent authorities in embryology in America, made the interesting statement some years ago that eggs are formed in the chick in the shell. Writing to the American Poultry Journal, he said: — “Hear Sir.—Your letter containing the inquiry regarding tho days required for tho lorraation of an egg from its inception to maturity has been received. The ovary with the ovules can be determined in embryonic life Tile growth of the yolk portion of tho egg seems to bo quite steady until the day before they are laid. When the fowl lias matured and is ready to lay, these eggs are hatched, and take on tho albumen, yolk, membrane, and stall in a day’s time, and are laid. I cannot vouch for the truth of the statement that the ovaries contain in the early chick life as many ovules as there will be eggs, but presume is is probable that the majority of t lie so laid in earlier years can be counted. The time tor the formation of the egg would therefore be from the candy part ot the- life of the chick within tho e.;g until the egg is laid. The two important times in the development of the egg are probably the earliest, in which the germ spot grows, and the short period preceding its deposition in which it is fertilised. Tlie remaining time seems to bo a time of acquisition of food for lonning th.? yolk and albumen and of the protective membranes (as the shell membrane and egg shell) which serve to feed the embryo and protect it in its development.” A Royal Agricultural leaflet, published in the United Kingdom, says, inter alia:— “As hi every dozen marketable eggs there is about one pint of water, it will be seen that a hundred lay ing hens will require a large . amount of water daily.” Of coutse, moisture is derived from tho food eaten, as well as from the drinking fountain, but in view of the fact that “biddy” wants a drink now and again for other than eggmu king purposes, it will bo well for breeders to note that lack of water means loss of eggs. In relation to water supply, the leaflet referred to also points out that impure water is liable to make eggs taste strong, and may aho contain tho germs of disease. Such being the cam, breeders will understand that even though fowls appear to relish drinking from impure puddles, etc., they should bo prevented from doing so, as far as possible, by filling up the holes or covering them over.

produce the following article on the tireless brooder, taken from an English paper, for the difficulties contingent upon the first few weeks ol chicken-roaring are not matters for contemplation just now; but as the firelcta brooder is being a good deal talked about, and no doubt, many poul-try-breeders intend to give the system a trial next season, it will not be out of place to let them know what is being said for and against it. There has been sufficient experiment made in New Zealand with tire fireless brooder to warrant my saying that strong and healthy chickens can be raised by its means, but I would remind readers that some years ago the theory of a French expert tiiat the egg ovaries grew in the first few weeks of chickcnhood, and wore more or loss abundant, according to the amount and duration of the heat supplied, was going the rounds of the poultry press; and there was much discussion amongst fanciers on the subject. At the time this theory was first mentioned in the Witness I cautioned readers that though warmth in brooding was important, and—in the light of scientific investigations—more important than we had previously thought it to be. as influencing future laying power, it nevertheless did not lessen the importance cf proper mating, housing, feeding, or cleanliness, and that consequently until brooding time arrived efforts should not be released in other detail work. I wouid now, further, point out that although the egg ovaries grow in the first weeks of brooding, cliey are actually developed in the egg as per this week’s first paragraph, before the eggs arc laid from which the cihicks themselves are hatched, so that it will not bo reasonable to expect to raise chickens that will lay well, however good the brooding system used may be, if all other conditions have not also been favourable. There is always some outstanding feature of the English dairy show which is of an ohsoriling interest to the poultry-keeper. This time it is fireleos bicoders. At one time several well-known country experts were together going fully into every detail and discussing possibilities, and the verdict was the same from them all —probably a great future before them. The Philo system lias been much talked of, but now men of the highest standing are (says a writer in the Farmer and Stockbreeder. England) giving it a thorough trial. One large poultry-farmer has been so takep up with it that he has ordered 60 firelcss brooders at once. The writer continues : “1 spent several hours with one of the leading poultry appliance manufacturers, who has recently been to America to visit Philo’s place, and to bring buck all that is known on the subject. “The Ph.iio system is being used in America more in small plants than large ones. The great poultry farms continue with the hot-water pipe broodor-nouse. This led to a question ‘How many of these groat American poultry farms are a success?’ ‘Very few,’ was the reply. America is a land of big things—big enterprises, big failures. The closing down of a gigantic duck farm on which almost unlimited capital has been brought to bear adds another warning to the many I have given to beginners to go cautiously in poultry farming. “The Philo brooder system is merely conserving the bodily beat of the chickens theme-elves instead of allowing that to dissipate and > supplying artificial heat. In the winter wo sit in a room with a large fire and are none too warm. We go to bed in a cold room, and after a few minutes under the- blan-

kets are comfortable for the nagbt. Those who are wise enough to sleep with tlie ■windows open may awake with a frozen moustache; but the body- is warm enough. Tney are in a fileless brooder. How do you wiuteir bees? \ou simply put layers of felt to keep out the coid, double sides with a non-conductor of packing, and the 'heat given off Cy the bees keeps up the temperature of the hive. * “ .So much for the principle; but there us ample room to go wrong. I watched la brood turned: out irate the cold. After ja few minutes they were allowed to go into the v. arm cliamber. The attendant shovelled them in by’ hand. In a few minutes all the chirping ceasacl. I pub my hand into the mass of life, and was surprised aft tlie heat; certainly nothing more ,was needed:. Fireless broode.s are as yet on their trial. The brooder itself can be imade and sold for a few shillings, and can be used in almost any brooder or box which will keep out rain. “ Certain things seem necessary to make them a success. The shape will ultimately ■be round. When chickens pack in a square corner, as they will if anything goi s wrong, and perhaps without, those right in the corner cannot move, and will bo smothered. When they pack in the g-ide of a circle the jam cannot be so tight, a;;d there is always some moving and replacing The rock upon w.iich many of the makers will split will be in giving insufficient ventilation. Examining one, I asked the attendant about that. He said that there was plenty from the front entrance. Any sacrifice of pure air to ensure warmth is a foredoomed failure. The lid which tits inlto the brooder chamber will be adjustable eo that it ica.u bo raised as the Chickens grow. Th© space for the chicks will bo so small that scrupulous cleanliness and the tuo of mild disinfectants will ■ho necessary. The chickens will require tci-uahing the way in and out, and will have to be assisted by hand for the first few days. But after that wo can imagine the case and comfort for us. No overheating possible—always one of the chief causes ol broodier flailiu res, —no lump' 'trimming, no smoking, no fumes, no chills from laniji going cult, no coddled chickens, but just hardy little chaps running out into the cold and 'back to the warm house at will. “It is in tho construction of the housj 'that many makers will fail. The lower part of the sliding frame which will carry the house will have to be covered bv some material stretched not too lightly, but just loese enough to sag slightly in the middle. It seems to me that something ‘with a soft cotton pile on th© under side 'will be most suitable. It must bo at such •a height that till© chickens’ backs will touch it as they do the body of a lion. As it will hang lowest in the middle, the chicks •will crowd to th© centre, and not to tho outsides df the brooder chamber. The screen will move as they move under it, and it is obvious that there must not be too much weight. Heavy layers of felt do not seem, to meet the case. What is the •lightest and most warmth-giving of covers? Cotton wool quilts will be ideal non-con-ductors, and will bo used. But what can 'be better than an adaptation of tho eiderdown quilt? I am having two of what seems to me the best atr present, and I will run an incubator so as to have chicks in the coldest of weather. If it answers as •well as I am hoping, I shall use no other. “ The makers are claiming impossible things for thorn and talking of ridiculous numbers under one hon e, but I think 6‘J will bo found to be the outside number. There is, however, no reason why hundreds of chicks should not be roared under one roof, provided that they are separated in lots of 60 or loss. A light shod, with pLerity df windows which open to tho north, a clean earth floor covered with perfectly dry sand and chaff, and then brooders all round the outer walls. The chickens can bo divided bv inch mesh wire netting 18in high. This the attendant can step over, and when the chickens begin to flv over It hey can be drafted info other quarters. One fivelc-tss brooder I saw suggested trouble from damp. It will need a little ingenuity to keep the houses and quilts dry. The moisture from the chickens may cause trouble, even if none is admitted from the outside. It is my opinion that fireless brooders have come to stay but the ordinary poultry-keeper will do well to-wait until most of the initial faults will have been remedied.”

The I'oil cling Egg Circle disposed of its eggw in Wellington at tho highly satisfactory price of Is 4d per dozen the week before last. Between 300 and 400 dozen eggs were despatched, and this therefore represents a fairly substantial sum coming into the district for tho produce of tl o poultry farms. THE MOULTING SEASON. The season of the year is at hand when the poultry breeder will have to give every attention to the fowls. The experienced man -knows and acts accordingly. While no one engaged in poultry-keeping is ignorant of the conditions which precedes moulting, it is well to give those attentions which will ensure a successful and a rapid moult. Through want of care at tho proper time fowls linger on until their constitutions become weakened, and former robustness is never again apparent. Many poultry breeders, especially beginners, often make tho error of reducing the rations when the egg production stops. Never was a greater mistake made. Tho moulting season is tho period of the year in which the experienced man is all attention as far as tho wants of his flock are concerned. Tho process of moulting is a perfectly natural one, but is, nevertheless, a time when tho persistent fancier is alive to its possibilities. Birds that receive the necessary care and attention get through tho moult quicker, and at the same time this means that they will lay earlier, and produce a stronger crop of chickens than if they linger. For this reason it is necessary that birds should have the best of food, and cleanliness of surroundings will bo found very helpful. Plenty of exercise is also necessary. Where tho runs are limited in size, litter composed of grass or hay should be freely scattered. In this grain can be thrown, and it will itiducc the fowls tn scratch for any stray morsel. Greenstuff may bo hung up for thorn to pick also. A stool of wheat is a good thing, while cornstalks, lucerne, and such like may bo conveniently placed so that the fowls will have to hustle to get at it. Usually at this season feather-eating in often prevalent among the lock. The hot davs of summer cause the fowls to become lazy in (heir habits, and very often this bad habit breaks out among them. It is often mistaken by beginners for moulting, but if the birds arc examined it may bo

easily distinguished. There is a simple remedy for tiiis—to immerse those addicted to the habit and those who arc victims of it if 1 kerosene emulsion. Any feather* picking that is indulged in after this is spon stopped, owing to the flavour of the feathers. A good tonic to be used aftervards is the famous Douglas mixture, vtmch can be easily made md mixed with the drinking water. Dissolve 2oz of sulphide of iron and 4oz oi tt'psom salt in one gallon of boiling water. Let it cool, and add -joz if "diluted sulphuric acid, bottle and cork tightly. In using add a toaspoonful to each quart of drinking water. laming the moult some breeders do away with the morning mash. Good oats in the moining and wheat in the evening are tlm staple food. If they fail to cat, give mor* variety. Sunflower seed is good, for it assists in the loosening of the feathers. Iron tonics are good for black or buff fowls, but very little should be given ta whites. The hen that moults out first i» the lion for coi’lv opr