POULTRY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 43, 5 June 1917, Page 7

POULTRY.

There used to be a theory, and with some it is still believed, that the presence of a small pigeon sized egg means that that particular hen has laid her litter, and will not begin for some time. That theory has been exploded by the aid of the trap nest. The records kept by the writer show that one day Brahma hen No. 27 laid a small pigeon sized egg, the next day she laid another small egg, but somewhat larger than the .one of the day before. Two days later she laid a regular sized egg, and continued doing so for about a fortnight when she laid a double yolked egg, which proved that both the pigeon sized and double yolked eggs are the product of hens that are too fat. This hen in question was very fat.

Ducks and geese require deep drinking vessels, especially if reared and kept on land. Unless the vessel i« deep enough so the fowl can get its entire' h'ead under water and thus wash its eyes, dust and dirt will settle in the eyes making them sore and often resulting in blindness. A threegallon water pail is the best drinking vessel for either ducks or geese. !

When we spend our fooa and attesir tion on the fowl with the view to creating an ideal carcase, do we not make the egg yield suffer ? Will not this unnatural flow of eggs tend to cripple fertility, and make weak, puny chicks ? Why not work for botheggs and meat ? Why not Save a limit ? If we can gradually increase the powers of a hen »o that she will average 300 eggs a year and still maintain health and meat qualifications it is advisable to go ahead. But to build up one at the expense of the other will eventually produce a delicate race. We want the 200 egg hen if we can get her within reason. ;