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POULTRY NOTES.

By

Terror.

“ Spud ” asks in what proportion potatoes can he used in the mash with good results, also whether they should be cooked or uncooked. They should be cooked, and do,not use the water they were cooked in unless they are very young and no green ones. One of the best balanced rations where potatoes form a part in any quantity is equal parts of bran and potatoes. Bran is rich in albuminoids, and this makes up for the fact that potatoes are deficient in this respect. “ Constant Reader.” —You will find the information you require respecting capuuising in this week’s notes. The successful management of laying stock depends very much upon the owner’s or caretaker’s keen observation of the birds, and a good attendant should be quick to note the slightest change in the condition of the fowls. This has been said over and over again in these notes, and also by every other writer qualified to deal with the subject of poultry culture. Yet the many inquiries made by breeders as to the cause of troubles with their birds —the cause often being their own neglect to study their birds from day to day—shows that this duty is neglected. To lay their best birds must be in perfect physical trim, and it is much easier to keep them fit than to tone them tin when'they have got out of condition. Hens “ in the pink ” and laying heavily are very alert, bright, and active, and their combs are a brilliant scarlet. The colour and fullness of the comb is one of the best indications of a fowl’s state of health, and, though an unproductive hen may sometimes have the bright comb of a bird in full lay, a small, shrunken, and dull-looking comb is a sure sign that a fowl is not laying. Except when moulting, it should be possible to keep the laying stock in productive condition all the.

year round, and if this is to be done any tendency' to fall away should be noted immediately, and this necessitates close and constant observation. If there is the slightest suspicion that the birds are not quite up to the mark, the cause should be sought at once. It is always advisable to handle the birds pretty frequently to make sure that they are not losing weight or growing too fat. Some birds will get fat on a diet exactly suited to the majority of the other fowls, and so the condition of the birds as a flock must be taken into account and not just individuals. If birds arc too thin, it is a sure sign that the carbo-hydrates in the ration are deficient, and they must be increased. Too much of the starchy elements in the food will cause over-fat-ness, though this is very often caused through insufficient exercise. If birds don’t seem very eager for their grain, it is a sure sign that something is not quite right. Very often cutting down the grain feed for a day or so will be all the adjustment needed. Don’t forget, however, that a damp, draughty, fowlhouse or an insanitary one will inevitably cause trouble amongst the fowls if allowed to continue.

The Value of Skimmed Milk. —Many poultry rearers do not realise the value of skim milk as a foodstuff. Its ricn bone and flesh-forming properties make it an excellent food for chickens, and it can either be mixed with the soft food or given them to drink with good results. Skim milk can be bought at small cost, and therefore makes a cheap and most valuable food for either adult birds, chickens, or ducklings. Skim milk can now be obtained locally in the dry form.. Dried skim milk needs only the addition of water and some stirring to make it the equal of liquid skim milk, and there is the advantage that it can be bought in bulk and consequently is more conveniently stored and used. One has not in using dried milk to be continuously buying water, as one does in buying liquid skim milk. Don’t send eggs obtained from stolen nests to market, unless it is a nest from which the eggs as laid are collected daily. Doubtful eggs and addled eggs from an incubator if sent to market bring discredit on the producer. Keep stained eggs, however gQod they may be otherwise. because they spoil the look of the rest and lower the market value of the whole consignment. Clean and dry nesting material helps to a great extent in the production of marketable eggs. Caponising.—There is little doubt but that in most instances caponising pays. It is not a difficult operation. It necessitates special instruments, but these are not expensive, and soon pay for themselves many times over. It requires some practice to acquire skill and speed. In planning to caponise the surplus young males bear the following points in mind: — First, operate when the youngsters are about lib and 13-lb in weight. Do not go by age. but by weight and development. Second, starve by withholding botn food and water for 40 hours previous to operating, in order to empty the intestines. This will make the operation much safer and faster and easier. Third, a barrel with one solid end still remaining intact makes a good operating table. Stretch the birds over the table, and fasten down. The area between the first and second ribs from the rear should be in full view. Fourth, in making the incision make one clean, quick cut rather 'than clip a little at a time, cutting through both skin and muscle, and clip the membrane, exposing the intestines and organs to be removed. Fifth, learn to remove both organs from one side, thus doing away with the necessity of making two incisions, one on either side Sixth, operate quickly and smoothly, being sure to remove both organs and all of each. Seventh, mark the capons after operating. Eighth, give soft food and water unon completion of operation. Keep cool. Ninth, watch out for wind puffs on the sides, piercing same. Make the surplus of the heavier breeds transform feed into flesh at a profit for you. Reilly’s Report.—All lines of poultry are scarce. Eggs still finding a ready sale at Is 2d to Is 3d per dozen. During the week we sold: Hens —5 at 8s 6d. 2 7s lOd. 4 7s 4d. 3 6s lOd. 3 6s Bd, 17 6s 2d, 19 6s. 11 5s 6d. 9 4s 2d;cockerels —213 s 6d. 2 6s 6d, 5 6s 2d. 2 6s. 2 5s lOd. 2 5s Bd, 2 5s 6d. 2 5s 4d. 2 5s 2d. 7 4s Bd, 2 4s 6d, 4 4s 2d. 2 3s 2d. 2 3s, 2 2s 8d; pullets—--6 9s. 8 6s 2d; chickens-—23 Is 4d. 31 6d: ducks —2 9s 4d, 5 78; all at “ per pair.” Turkey gobblers—2 at Is 33d per lb, 2 Is 23d.

TWENTY-SIXTH PAPANUI EGGLAYING COMPETITION. Leading Pens 25th Week Ended September 27 (175 days). TEST I—J. H. SHAW MEMORIAL CHALLENGE. (Light and Heavy Breeds.) —Single Penned.— Week’s Weight eggs. oz. dr. Total.

Heavy Breeds— M. Wilson (LSI 7 12.10 9G E. J. Ross (S.W.) 12. 0 S3 J. Kingsland (B.O.) 0 0. 0 S3 White Leghorns— T. D. Dalziel . . 7 15.11 141 Mrs Hillis . . . . 4 8. 7 139 G. E. Moody . . 7 16. 8 134 Green Bros 5 11. 9 133 TEST 2—WHITE LEGHORN, SINGLE HENS (Owner Enters Three Birds.) Week’s eggs Totals. R. Heazlewood . . G G y 13S 14G 148 J. Nanearrow . . 4 5 7 135 125 148 J. C. Wilson . . 6 5 4 130 139 131 Green Bros G 3 1 144 139 116 M. C. Craig .. .. 5 4 6 139 115 144 H. Williams .. 5 6 5 125 137 136

TEST 3—BLACK ORPINGTONS ONLY. Week's eggs. Totals. H. Cotton 6 5 5 132 152 157 B. Cotterell '. . 3 4 6 82 110 101 A. R. Leckio 3 5 G 78 95 88 TEST 4—ANY VARIETY LIGHT OR HEAVY BREEDS OTHER THAN WHITE LEGHORNS OR BLACK ORPINGTONS. L.S.— Mrs C. J. William 7 4 3 108 119 140 P. A. Cornish 5 4b 126 86 110 J. R. Griffen 4 s 5 139 59 129 B.L.— C. M'Kenzie 3 5 G 98 118 130 TEST 5—FLOCK TEAMS. (Six Birds.) Week’s W’eight eggs. oz. dr Total. White Leghorns— L. Roache . 37 73. 8 782 W. E. Ward . 29 62. 1 772 (one dead) J. Bobbitt . 34 73.12 743 M. C. Craig . . . 34 74. 3 734 G. H. Bradford . 35 74. 9 686 J. Liggins . 29 62.13 683 TEST 6—SINGLE DUCK TEST. (Owner Enters Threa Binis.) i Week's eggs. Totals. White Pekins— J. W. Thomson . . 6 7 3 66 60 133 H. A. Dawber 0 5 0 33 157 66 Indian Runners— G. A. Heath 7 6 7 165 135 157 H. A. Dawber 7 3 5 147 136 170 Mrs F. C. Johnson 7 6 7 158 131 149 R. W. Hawke .. 7 7 5 171 73 159 F. R. Cotton 6 7 7 125 129 134 Khaki Campbells— G. H. Bradford . . d d 7 124 153 101 F. Ashworth 5 6 7 63 164 150 Mrs F. C. Johnson 6 7 7 108 127 141

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19301014.2.130

Bibliographic details

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 31

Word Count
1,545

POULTRY NOTES. Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 31

POULTRY NOTES. Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 31

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