POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 54

POULTRY NOTES.

By Terror. Show birds of every variety are of artificial production by selection and other processes on the lines of a given and often arbitrary standard, and Nature is ever striving to get back to the original. Hence it is always an uphill fight to maintain the characteristics of any breed —Nature is pulling one way and the’ breeder another way. This is true as regards utility strains just as much as it is regarding fancy birds. This being so, there can never be any fixity in any breed or strain of 'fowl—it must always be only relative. The original bird and the bird of the standard are two entirely different propositions. All that can be done by a breeder is, when a uniform type has been decided upon by a consensus of expert opinion (which is another impossibility) , to strive to keep the breed to that type as near as possible and in its main features. The foregoing is fact, and is well worth reflecting upon. For instance let us note (1) that the standard is arbitrary, (2) that Nature is ever striving to have her own way, (3) that the experts who frame the standards all have different ideals in their minds and that consequently the standard is only a compromise, and (4) that the best the breeder can hope to do is to get as near as possible to his own conception of the standard, which he must remember is bound to be different from the ideal of the judge (and that judges differ!). Lastly, when you get a clutch of chickens from the best possible mating you could desire to make, don’t be surprised to find that there are only a few chicks quite up to expectation—that, in fact, the proportion of culls is large; for, remember, Nature’s pull is against all your efforts, and. she is strong. Nature is not “all out ” as you are, for 300 eggs per bird per year, and she had no desire for the arbitrary markings insisted upon in the standards when she instituted her breeding programme. There is room for plenty of pride—justifiable pride at that—and satisfaction if only a few specimens, results of your care in mating, are up to expectation, for to score against Nature’s “pull” is progress. For breeding purposes, when reproduction rather than production is concerned, the size and type of the birds must be viewed from quite a different angle from that at which the birds in the laying pen are regarded. For breeding purposes birds of stamina are required, and such stamina, to be maintained, requires free range, where the elements have to be contended with, rather than birds which have been protected from the elements in enclosed sheds. As Mr Powell-Owen wisely points out. “Nature’s invariable habits of deterioration, no matter how slight, when it comes to reproduction, must be allowed for and prevented. Size of breed and size of egg will be found weak links which the law of deterioration attacks in reproduction. Such attacks can only be met by serving into the mating ‘ something to play with ’ by way of makeweight. Any little extra weight in the egg incubated, any small extra body size in the breeding bird, will tend to prevent, or act as a safeguard against, such natural deterioration.”

Watch the Chicks.—Early hatched chicks require considerable care. A few weeks of confinement and necessary precaution should be taken to see that the chicks grow properly. See that the heat is maintained to tlie right degree, and that the chicks have some tender green feed and are forced to exercise. On bright, sunshiny days they should be permitted to leave the house, or place some fresh soil in one corner of the brooder, and let the chicks work in that. Chicks can stand more outdoor weather than is generally thought. Tobacco for Worms.—l found a number of long white worms in the droppings of a pen of black Orpington pullets. Having no tobacco dust, I am soaking some tobacco in water overnight, with which to mix their mash. Is this advisable?— (“S. R.’) The value of steeped tobacco ought to be a little more than tobacco dust as a vermifuge, or a medicine to expel all kinds of worms from fowls. The dust is readily eaten by fowls when given in the mash, and those very badly infested with round worms are in most instances entirely freed from the parasites after two doses, given one week apart. The quantity of tobacco dust to give is 2oz to 3oz to every 50 fowls, loz to IJoz to 25, etc., and the dust should be steeped in hot water prior to mixing the mash. Omit the previous evening’s grain feed prior to giving the tobacco dust, and two hours after feeding the mash with the tobacco in it give loz Epsom salts in each gallon of the drinking water for the remainder of the day. Live worms and their eggs are voided. Spray or splash the house floors and yards with a brush dipped in a solution ot one tablespoonful of Jeves’ or similar disinfectant in each quart of water used —Poultry, 19/6/26.

Laying-Capacity —Capacity in itself is no criterion of abil.ty to lav. If a brd is naturally a meat producer, and has adequate capacity for food, as well as 101 the perfect development and working of the vitals, it will produce meat. If feathers are its specialty, and its capacity is great, it will make a fine bird (if the old adage re fine feathers is correct). In the same way, if a bird is destined to become a so-called egg machine, and its capacity is such as will allow sufficient food to the egg factory, and such as will permit no obstruction to the working of the heart and lungs, then, if suitable food and water are supplied, pure fresh air is not denied, and all the ordinary demands of a healthy life are met, the inevitable result will be eggs. In handgrading capacity is something, but not everything. Without it other assets may be useless; without the other factors capacity will be useless. Above all things, if you rely on capacity, see that there is capacity not only in the abdomen, but also in the region of the heart and lungs, and remember that, whilst; for the one plenty of good food and water must

be served, but also that for the other fresh air and warm quarters are.essential. Pit Games in America.—A letter in an English paper observes: “It may interest O.E. Game fanciers if I relate some of my old experiences in America, where I travelled hundreds of miles and saw hundreds of fine pit birds and a good many noted ‘ cockers.’ I visited a good many of their cockpits, and saw birds of all colours and all styles used as fighters. In the north the practice is to fight the cocks in l£in and Jjin spurs. A variety of steel spurs are now made in America, and run from 30s to £3 per pair. First of all, American cockers go in for gameness, strong healthy birds, nervy and quick, and good healers. They have full day fights, and mains are often fought at nights, while on July 4 they fight all day. I remember seeing a blue-red run away, and a man offering to bet any money that he could make him fight. I took his challenge up, and he lost his money. July 4 finishes the cocking season. At one big meet I saw some very long-winged flat-sided cocks fight. In colour they were duns and whites, and were matched against some strongly- built reds with broad shoulders and reported as quick fighters. But the duns were like lightning, and cut the black-reds down in the first or second pitting, and won all the fights. In the south they fight in long spurs from 2in to 2}in long. There are half-drops, full : drops, and lots of other different styles of spurs. In .Mexico they fight in slashers 3jin long, sharp on both sides, one slasher attached to the left leg of each bird, and, as might be expected, the fights never last long.” Milk for Poultry.—The use of milk in various forms has greatly increased in the past few years. The reason for this is apparent: it is one of the most valuable foods we have. It has been called a “complete food.” It contains protein, carbohydrates, and fat, although it is fed primarily for its protein content as a food. It is called complete, however, in that it contains everything a young animal needs—in fact, it is the only food that the young of most species get for a certain period. It contains life-giving vitamins and minerals that are necessary for growth. Poultrymen have found that animal protein in some form is necessary in the laying ration if a good production is to be obtained. Feeding milk is one way of supplying this protein; it may be made part of the regular laying ration or may be fed as a beverage. All successful systems of brooding chicks include the use of milk in some form. Liquid milk in the natural state may be fed either as whole milk, skim milk, or buttermilk, or any of the other forms that are easily available, such as semisolid buttermilk, dry buttermilk, or dry skim milk may be fed. Directly or indirectly, it seems to have some curative value. The California Agricultural College recommends the use of dry -skim milk at the rate of 40 per cent, of the dry mash to control coccidiosis. Experimental work on the research plant of a large manufacturing concern seems to show that dried buttermilk will do the same. Cases of limber neck, or a form of digestive disorder, have been cured by feeding birds individually with sour milk or buttermilk. Animal protein in any of the forms of mlk available may be, and should be, added to the ration. Many of the good commercial mashes contain milk. Its value should not be lost sight of at the season when eggs mean real money, or during the brooding and rearing season, when well-grown chicks mean healthy pullets for the following year.

TV hen to Cut Lucerne. —Lucerne is at its best for poultry feeding when it is •about one-third in bloom. It is then nutritious, young, and palatable, and the birds clean it all up. In this stage it is a valuable food, a tonic which keeps the blood normal, the bowels in order, and helps to fortify the birds against the ravages of internal parasites which infect the intestines. When cut immature it has but little feeding value, and if left much later than the early blooming period becomes too coarse and contains too great a proportion of fibre in the stalks, and is wasted by the birds.

Reilly’s report a very nice yarding of poultry, some very good birds forward, and for these high prices were obtainable. Unfortunately, ducks are short of requirements, and really choice ducks are worth as high as 14s per pair, but Indian Runner crosses are not realising anything over 7s Bd._ Turkeys are scarce, and really good birds command high prices, Is 9d anil Is lOd per lb for gobblers, and up to 2s for some specially good birds. Hen turkeys are making Is 7d to Is lOd per lb. In all we penned:—Hens: 13 at 6s. 21 at os 4d, 31 at 5s 2d, 26 at ss, 41 at 4s lOd 42 at 4s Bd, 21 at 4s 6d, 13 at 4s 4d’ o 7 ot 4s 2d ’ 20 at 4s ’ 10 at 3s Bd, 5 at 3s 2d, 7 at 3s. Cockerels: 14 at 13s 6d, lo at 12s, 15 at 10s 6d, 2 at 6s 6d a t 5s 4d, 8 at ss. Chickens: 12 at 4s 6d, 8 at 4s, 10 at 3s 6d, 17 at 3s 4d, 16 at 3s 2d, 10 at 2s Bd, 22 at 2s 6d 13 at 2s, 13 at Is 6d, 14 at Is 4d. Ducks: 10 at 14s, 16 at 7s 6d, 5 at 6s lOd, 4 at 6s, 6 at ss. Ducklings: 8 at 7s 8d 10 at 7s 6d. Pullets: 3 at 17s 6d. 20 at 21s. Eggs: These are still meeting a steady demand, and we are selling our consignments on a basis of Is 8d for stamped and guaranteed. Pullets and turkeys are urgently wanted.

22nd PAPANUI ECC LAYING COMPETITION. Leading Peas 42nd Week ended January 22 (294 days). FLOCK TEAMS CONTEST (six birds). —Light and Heavy Breeds.—

Week's Weight White Leghorns— Eggs. oz. die. Total

. P. Bailey, R.I.R. 27 51. 1 1206 SINGLE HEN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. (For Light and Heavy Breeds.)

Black Orpingtons—«T. Kingsland .. 4 8. 5 237 WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN CONTEST. (Owner enters three birds.)

SINGLE HEN CONTEST (Owner enters three birds.)

SINGLE-DUCK CONTEST. (Owner enters three birds).

W. E. Ward ?. .. 26 51.14 1317 H. C. West .. .. 32 67.12 1287 J. Liggins .. .. 28 59. 8. 1246 F. Hawes 28 58. 9 1206 J. Bobbett 30 68. 4 1203 H. Williams .. 27 57.10 1184 Heavy Breeds—

Week’s Weight White Leghorns— Eggs. oz. drs. Total Miss M, White .. 7 13. 6 254 N. Harrison 6 13.7 « 244 A. G. F. Ross ... 5 10.5 219 J. Rattigan .. 6 12.15 209 W. Newall .. 7 14. 5 208 F. Hawes .. 1 2. 3 208

Week's Eggs. Total H. Williams, No. 2 7 251 A. C. G-oodlet, No. 3 6 283 W. J. Richards, No. 1 6 247 R. W. Coombs, No. 1 4 246 Miss M. White, No. 3 7 238 C. W. Pratt, No. 3 .. 5 237 R. W. Coombs, No. 2 6 237

Black Orpingtons— Week a Kggs. Total G. Blair, No. 2 6 222 J. W. Thomson, No. 3 .. 4 21C ±1. 'Harris, No. 2 .. .. 3 207 J. W. Thomson, No. 2 .. 0 203 O. Blair, No. 3 5 193 Any other variety. Heavy Breeds— Cuthbertson and W.R. No. 2 Mitchell, 5 235 Cuthbertson and W.R., No. 1 Mitchell, 3 207 U. O'Hern, WAV., No. 1 5 233 Cuthbertson and W.R., No. 3 Mitchell, e 203 Light Brseds— H. Williams, B.M. t No. 2 4 203

Indian Runners— Week’s I2gg«Total J. W. Thomson, No. 2 .. 6 276 R. W. Hawke, No. 3 .. 7 273 H. A. Dawber, No. 3 3 272 J. W. Thomson, No. 3 4 268 R- W. Hawke, No. 1 .. 5 267 H. W. Beck, No. 1 5 264 J. W. Thomson (Pekins) No. <8 2 26O