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THE POULTRY RUN

the breeding-hens.

FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT.

The Chief Poultry Instructor, Mr F. C. Brown, writes as follows in the latest issue of the Journal of Agriculture:— The month of June inay generally be regarded as one of the slackest periods in the poultry-keeper’s year. Nevertheless there are several matters which will require attention, in addition to the ordinary routine work, if the stock and plant are to be maintained at a high standard of.efficiency. In the first place the prospective breeding hens require to be specially fed and managed in order that they may be in proper breeding condition at the time of mating. If good hatches and strong chicks are to be produced it is of the first importance that the hens are not allowed to become too fat. This does not imply that the birds should be placed on a starvation ration, but rather that they be fed according to their condition, and managed in such a way that they will not put on a surplus of interior fat. When hens are moulting, and until they are nearing 'a laying-point, they are usually disinclined to take much exercise. Thus if they are provided with an abundance of food which can be secured with little or no effort, the formation of bodily fat will result.

This applies particularly after the birds have recovered from the moult. At this time they should be frequently handled for the purpose of ascertaining their condition. If they are found to be beyond a desired weight the only safe coure is to provide a whole-grain ration, and in a manner which will compel the birds to exercise— that is fed in'a ddep litter. Indeed from now on until the termipation of the breeding season the birds will retain a better breeding condition if the mash diet is entirely eliminated from the ration. This refers particularly to birds which are being kept under more, or less confined, artificial conditions, for where a good range is available particularly a free range, nothing better can take its place in providing healthy exercise, and ideal conditions for breeding-stock. In all matters pertaining to breeding it is well known that nature’s methods cannot be improved upon. Thus the best we can do with breedingbirds is to follow nature as closely as possible in the matter of feeding and management. If one could dissect, a fowl’s crop after a day on free range it would demonstrate nature’s demands in feeding. We would not find any one particular class of food, but in most cases it would consist of a naturally balanced ration of different seeds, green stuff, worms and various kinds of insect life. *

Thus in the case where birds are being kept under confined conditions the ration should consist of a variety of whole grains. The greater the variety provided in this respect the greater will be the production of fertile eggs, the stronger will be the germs, and the more easy the chicks will be to rear. A chicken is made up of many constituents, and the food provided to the parent birds must contain these elements which are necessary for the formation of a properly developed chick. A - variety of grains an abundance of greenstuff, a spare ration of animal food and provision for ample exercise arc among the chief requirements for . the maintenance of proper condition in the bird producing eggs for reproduction purposes. While there is little or no danger of overfeeding a heavy-laying bird with the right class of food, provided she is given an opportunity of taking plenty of exercise, there is a grave danger of overfeeding the breeding specimen just before or when producing eggs for hatching purposes. Where market eggs only are being produced the birds can be forced with meat, milk, etc., and as a result the formation of surplus fat will be discouraged. Such treatment, however, would be a mistake where the breeding birx’ is concerned, for if a highly forcing diet, is provided trouble is almost sure to be experienced in the hatching and brooding operations. For any other purpose for which fowls are kept I believe in feeding them well, but in the case of breeding-birds it may be necessary at. times to depart from this rule. If they are putting on such surplus fat it. will probably be found a wise course to slightly reduce the ration in order that they may be maintained in a more or less active lean condition. The Breeding Male. While it is necessary that the hens should be maintained in the best possible condition, it is of equal importance that the male bird should be well treated, so that he may be in the best of form at mating-time. Usually male birds are more subject to infestation by lice than are hens and arc less likely to avail themselves of dust baths. For this reason they should be frequently dusted with insect-powder, or treated, with Black Leaf 40 as recommended in a previous issue of the Journal. Male birds which carry large combs and wattles, which are common in such breeds as Leghorns, Minorcas, etc., should have tfiese removed before being placed in the breeding perys. As a result of this slight operation a bird will usually fertilize more eggs and produce much stronger germs. The operation can be simply performed .by means of a pair of sharp scissors, a good dressing of idoform being applied to the cut parts to prevent bleeding and other such after-effects. Long spurs on the male bird are another common cause of infertility of the eggs, and often result. in hens having their sides badly ripped. The points of the spurs should be removed with a fine saw to within, say, J-in of the shank, and if a little Stockholm tar is dabbed on the surface of the cut little or no bleeding will result. Preparing Incubators and Brooders. Another matter that should be attended to now is the careful examination of incubators and brooders th see that they are in thorough working-order. It may be found that fresh burners for incubator lamps are required, and new connecting-rods for the machines where the old ones have become bent or set-screws which have become worn and liable to cause a serious accident at any time. A new thermometer to suit some special make of incubator may be required. Where these and other duplicate parts of incubators or brooders are required it is a mistake to leave the purchasing until the last minute. In point of fact, everything should be done to ward off possible trouble when the busy season arrives. Even for some of the most popular makes of incubators and brooders duplicate parts are not procurable in this country and if these have to be brought, from overseas it may easily mean an incubator or a brooder having to remain out of commission during the whole or part of the hatching season, merely because some essential is unprocurable. when required.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19290605.2.69

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 14

Word Count
1,168

THE POULTRY RUN Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 14

THE POULTRY RUN Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 14