POULTRY NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23650, 27 October 1938, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

BY

A. PEAT

The official column of the Invercargill Poultry, Pigeon, Canary and Pet Club, and the Invercargill Canary and Cage Bird Specialists Club. 1

A poultry fancier this season crossed a Light Sussex male with some of his Australorp hens. The progeny resemble the Silver Grey Dorking in colour, and he intends carying on the cross next year as he says the chickens catch the eye. He will test the pullets for laying qualities. Scrub out the chicks’ drinking vessels at least twice a week. A small nest with steep sides may make a broody break its eggs, so see that the nest is of good shape.

Burning dead fowls and chickens is the only sanitary method of disposal. Kill off all weak chickens for if they are given extra care at this stage they may survive and next breeding season may find them in the breeding pen. The result would be a big number of miserable chickens. .

A few pieces of mutton suet placed in the chicken house will give exercise and is one of the best preventives of tuberculosis.

LIGHT SUSSEX RECORD

Final reports of all the 1937-38 English laying trials are, not available, but indications so far are that there will be an increase in the general laying average. One record, at least, has been broken. A Light Sussex entered in the Kent trials by Mr E. S. Brownhill has produced 304 eggs in the 48 weeks. This is the first occasion on which a Light Sussex has laid 300 or more eggs at any recognized laying trial. She is one of Mr Brownhill’s pen of six, which not only wins the Kent trials by a big margin, but its score of 1547 eggs, all scoring, is the highest of all the pens competing in county laying trials Six other birds laying 300 or more eggs are reported, no fewer than five of them being Rhode Island Reds. Yorkshire leads with Mr J. Brown’s 314-egg pullet, Northants is represented by Mr J. Harris, whose pullet laid 305 eggs; in Cornwall Major G. T. Williams has a 301-eggs bird, while Monmouth (Mr W. D. Howells) and Nottinghamshire (Mr H. D. Woodhouse) each report a level 300-egger. The final bird was a White Wyandotte owned by the Lakeland Pedigree P.F., which produced 308 eggs in the Cumberland and Westmorland test.

KEEPING HATCHING EGGS

It has been discovered by Dr T. Moran, of Cambridge University, that the best temperature at wliich to store hatching eggs is 10 degrees C. At 5 degrees or 20 degrees the percentage of hatchability drops considerably after 25 days’ storage, and at 35 days the only eggs that will hatch are those stored at 10 degrees C., although a few will hatch which are kept at 15 degrees. It has also been'found by Dr Moran that the fertile egg keeps best in air containing 2.5 per cent, of carbon dioxide with a relative humidity of 85 per cent. Washing of eggs does not affect their immediate keeping qualities, but renders them more subject to subsequent bacterial infection. Eggs that are washed with a cloth and ordinary washing soda solution keep better than those washed with steel wool and sand.

INBREEDING BLAMED

Inbreeding comes in for a lot of abuse, and it is now held responsible for slow feathering. Surely the latter is inherited and can be avoided by adopting matings of parent stock which feather well during the growing and maturing stages. At the lowa experiment station, at Ames, a strain of poultry has now been carried beyond the tenth year of intensive inbreeding—the equivalent of brother-sister mating. In spite of this close inbreeding nothing serious has happened to fertility. It remains at 80 per cent, or above after 10 generations, with just one set of parents going slightly below the 80 per cent. mark.

Hatchability of eggs from the test birds has levelled off at about 65 per cent, and all indications show that the percentage will remain at about that figure through succeeding generations.

Hens of the intensely inbred strains produce their first eggs 16 days earlier on the average than birds of the original non-inbred foundation stock. Furthermore, the ability to lay a reasonable number of eggs has not been lost in the birds, even in the tenth generation. Neither has the size of the egg changed significantly.

ORIGIN OF POULTRY FOODS

We regard the wheat grain as a seed, but actually it is a fruit. It is just as much a fruit as the Brazil nut, but whereas the fruit wall of the nut is hard and woody, that of wheat is soft, and is stuck closely to the true seed within, says an overseas writer. If the wheat grain were a true seed, there would be no milling industry, and bran would be unknown.

The wheat grain is made up of two main regions: the embryo, or germ, which is the part that grows, and the endosperm, or food store. On the outside are the various layers of the fruit wall.

Microscopic examination of thin layers of the grain shows that the whole of the grain is composed of cells of different shaped and sizes. Just underneath the very outermost layers is a single layer containing protein grains; the bulk of the grain is made up of starch cells, containing grains of starch. When grain is milled, it is passed through machines which separate the various layers of cells from each other, and the products are filtered through sieves having a fixed number of holes a square inch. There are two main products, starch and wheat offals, or wheatfeed. There are various kinds of wheat offals.

PREVENTING THE MOULT

The moulting of pullets sent to laying trials is a problem which competitors themselves are more likely to solve dhan the test management. It is a question of condition, and if breeders would send their pullets in a “hard” rather than a finished condition there would be less moulting.

POULTRY MISCELLANY

There are some poultry keepers who feel quite proud if they are able to keep the litter in a house for a long period without replenishing it. Yet it is a foolish policy, because stale bedding is most unhygienic, and will affect both the health and appetites of the occupants. Even though no disorder in the flock is apparent the egg-supply may be interfered with, and there is always the risk of some serious outbreak of disease. The proper policy is to rake over the litter occasionally and to add fresh supplies, even shifting out the hard pieces, which a keen poultry keeper ought not to find too laborious. Periodically, however, it is I wise to take out all the stale litter and ito have a complete renewal. Finely chopped raw onions make an excellent' food for poultry of all ages, although too few poultry keepers appreciate the fact. Quite young chicks may be given the onions in breadcrumbs, provided they are very finely minced. This diet was, for years, considered to be a practical cure for gapes. While onions may be included in the rations of laying stock one must be careful to avoid an excess for fear of making the eggs tainted. Those who have a stockpot for table birds or growing stock should not omit to include onions therein. Spring onions are ideal for quite young chicks, but the older birds can have two or three large onions pui daily in the stock-pot. Just as ordinary leg-circlets must be watched, so must one keep an eye on wing-bands. When they are first placed on the young chicks there is plenty of “play,” but the later on they may get too tight. If they pinch the flesh the parts may become inflamed and it will be necessary to remove the band, which means that many valuable b’rds may lose their identity. Whenever one is grading young birds the metal bands should be examined and any which are too tight can be loosened. It is done quite easily with a small pocket knife. Examination should start when the youngsters are about three months of age If the wingband has to be removed, and in .order not to lose the individual identity of any bird, place a numbered ring on the leg and make a note of the number and the particular bird’s pedigree. Mrs E. Kelly whose name is so familar to all duck breeders through the consistent heavy laying of all her ducks at different contests, has disposed of her whole flock, including all contest birds, to Mr D. Hughes, Auckland. To every three gallons of creosote stir in one pint of tar. With this mixture paint the droppings board, perches and the walls of the house to the height of 18in above the former. This only requires doing once a year, when doing the annual cleaning. Also use the same mixture for the outside of the houses. It produces a black effect, and with a little white paint on the windowframes, looks very attractive on a well-laid-out plant. A bantam hen, 18 lears old, belonging to Mr Finlay McNaughton, of the Lanarkshire Poultry Association, has laid two clutches of eggs this year. The first was not successful, but of the second six out of eight hatched and the chicks are doing very well. At this time of year complaints about eggs in which traces of blood are found are more common. When boiled the egg will sometimes congeal and form black, unappetizing-looking lumps. The bleeding is caused by yolk sacs, which burst at the wrong spot to release the yolk. Normally, the yolk sac, wliich contains very many blood vessels, breaks at a spot where there are none. This spot can clearly be discerned on the yolks in the ovary of the hen. With abnormal functioning, as this will occasionally occurr in the beginning of the laying period or at the end, a few blood vessels burst when the yolk tears, and this results in bloody eggs. This is not really a serious problem, but there are hens in which this abnormality it hereditary, and these must certainly be excluded from breeding. I A well-known Yorkshire breeder has introduced something new in pickled ducks. They are treated after being trussed in a similar manner to hams, and will keep indefinitely. It is regarded by those who have already had samples for boiling as a good method of treating old ducks. A good layer in ducks should have tight, silky feathers, bold bright eyes and a finely-drawn, swan-like neck. The bad layers have thick skulls, bills and shanks, sunken eyes, coarse woolly feathers, and a sluggish, inactive walk. Camphor is a stimulant to the heart, bronchial tubes, and intestinal secretions. One teaspoonful (60 drops) of spirits of camphor to each gallon of drinking water is a restorative after chills.

Differences in the action and strength of the circular and longitudinal muscles of the' oviduct account for the difference in the shape of eggs. A badlyshaped egg is generally the result of a fowl being too fat. Litter piled under a wire floor of a brooder and almost touching it will make degrees difference to the temperature, and in no way lessen the hygienic advantages of such a floor. There can be nothing but reduced laying and bad effects on birds allowed to be exposed to all the vagaries of winter.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS

MASSEY COLLEGE (29th week) Heavy Breed (single) ♦Mrs R. Willers (B.O.) 7 182 L. Mason (R.1.R.) 7 174 W. Larsen (A. 0. 6 169 L. Mason (R.1.R.) 7 165 S. Wilkinson (R.1.R.) 4 164

PAPANUI (30th week)' TEST No. I.—J. H. SHAW MEMORIAL CHALLENGE. For light and heavy breeds, single-penned.

TEST No. 2.—WHITE LEGHORN SINGLEHEN TEST. Three pure-bred pullets to be single-penned.

TEST No. 4—ANY VARIETY LIGHT OR HEAVY BREEDS, other than White Leghorns or Black Orpingtons.

TEST No. S.—SINGLE-HEN TEST, LIGHT AND HEAVY BREEDS. Six pure-bred pullets to be single-penned.

Light Breed (single) ♦F. Allen (W.L.) 7 186 J. Annan (W.L.) 6 174 F. Allen (W.L.) 6 170 Ancona P.F. (W.L.) 5 165 Heavy Breeds (six birds) W. Larsen (A.O.) 30 1001 G. Edge (R.I.R.) 25 930 E. Stephenson (A.O.) 29 877 L. Hooper (B.O.) 32 834 Light Breeds (six birds) J. Wilson (W.L.) 35 953 *F. Allen (W.L.) 33 952 ♦Cotswold P.F. (W.L.) 38 924 ♦H. Lucas (W.L.) 28 914 TARANAKI (30th week) Single Light Breeds J. Hazelwood (W.L.) 7 194 Whenuapai P.F. (W.L.) 5 168 J. Hazelwood (W.L.) 6 167 F. Allen (W.L.) 6 167 Single Heavy Breeds S. Bason (Lang.) 7 182 J. Hurdle (A.O.) 7 176 Mrs Hickman (R.I.R.) 7 176 G. Edge (R.I.R.) 7 176 Ducks (single) Mrs A. Revell (F.W.R.) 7 192 Mrs Kelly (W.C.) 7 190 Mrs Kelly (W.C.) 7 162 C. Cousens (K.C.) 7 154 C. Cousens (K.C.) 7 151 Light Breeds (three birds) Mrs Tippett (W.L.) 17 448 C. Hansen (W.L.) 15 429 F. Allen (W.L.) 18 402 J. Hazelwood (W.L.) 12 384 , Heavy Breeds (three birds) S. Bason (Lang.) 21 471 J. Hurdle (A.O.) 18 463 Mrs H. Moreland (A.O.) 14 420 Mrs Hickman (R.I.R.) 13 • 410 AUCKLAND (27th week) Heavy Breeds (six birds) S. Vaile (B.O.) 39 721 ♦j. Anderson (B.O.) 36 711 *N. McNair (B.O.) 31 708 J. Nixon (B.O.) 33 686 Light Breeds (six birds) Mrs Chitty (W.L.) 31 641 ♦Mrs Lett (W.L.) 33 587 Cotswold P.F. (W.L.) 27 558 *W. Spencer (W.I3.) 19 539 • Single All Breeds ♦K. Powell (B.O.) '6 150 ♦E. Wells (B.O.) 4 148 ♦Sunny River P.F. (W.L.) 6 145 S. Huxtable (B.O.) 4 136 Light Breeds (four birds) Mrs H. Tuner (W.L.) 24 497 H. Mumme (W.L.) 23 457 J. Woodall (W.L.) 21 432 G. Douglas (W.L.) 25 / 428 Heavy Breeds (four birds) ♦A. Connell (B.O.) 24 593 N. McNair (B.O.) 23 566 *T. Cowley (B.O.) 22 548 *N. McNair (B.O.) 23 532 Ducks (four birds) Mrs Finn (K.C.) 22 668 C. Cousens (K.C.) 23 608 Ancona P.F. (K.C.) 17 596 S. Vaile (K.C.) .24 595 S. Clark (K.C.) 16 595

Weekly total Total C. M. Goodman (A.O.) (No. 1) 7 123 C. McKenzie (A.O.) 6 133 C. M. Goodman (A.O.) (No. 2) 6 96 C. Miln (A.O.) v 4 130 J. Gunn (A.O.) (No. 1) 0 35 Ted Turner (A.O.) ’ 7 141 J. Gunn (A.O.) (No. 2) 1 128 Mrs M. Knight 2 152 J. B. Lees 5 89 H. Whyte (No. 1) 0 19 H. Whyte (No. 2) 5 125 J. Gunn 7 106 Mrs J. A. Ritchie 6 174 A. D. L. McCllntdck 5 136 J. E. Rainey 5 151 J. Brennan 3 61 J. Ibbotson (No. 1) 4 137 J. Ibbotson (No. 2) 6 81 W. Skelton 6 162 Green Bros. 3 148 E. Tilley (No. 1) 6 162 E. Tilley (No. 2) 6 144 T. S. Dove 3 119 H. Williams (No. 1) 5 103 E. P. Anderson (No. 1) 6 90 Mrs J. Still 6 102 A. O. Oakley (No. 1) 6 103 Mrs C. Cook (No. 1) 5 130 Mrs B. Andrews 5 100 G. H. Woods 6 103 H. Williams (No. 2) 5 135 F. A. Atkinson 5 144 A. O. Oakley (No. 2) 6 157 E. P. Anderson (No. 2) 5 130 A. C. Goodlet 6 117 Mrs C. Cook (No. 2) 2 81 J. sun 5 141 J. Ibbotson (No. 3) 6 82 Miss A. Chapman 4 118 Wallace Chapman 7 98 W. E. Ward 7 155 T. B. Grant 5 94 J. Cunningham 5 156 J. W. Green, sen. 5 148 F. Ashworth 5 98 A. Lucas 7 96 Russell Liggins 0 15 T. Robinson 4 125 Bernard McIntosh 6 90 Miss T. McIntosh • 5 123 G. Millar 2 51

Grand total T. Barr 94 154 140 A. S. Cormack 123 99 118 Mrs M. Knight 157 162 146 J. B. Lees 116 154 57 W. Turner 110 148 158 E. F. Butler 133 83 123 Mrs J. A. Ritchie 142 154 143 Mrs B. Snelling 104 115 134 J. Liggins (No. 1) 139 91 95 J. Liggins (No. 2) 86 127 119 A. D. L. McClintock 103 177 162 L. Brumby 81 110 146 A. Edwards 146 108 140 A. J. Severn 117 142 119 J. Wilde 156 148 142 A. Patterson 125 132 79 F. Ashworth 157 148 139 Cotswold P.F. 122 155 124 W. M. Evan* 70 122 88 H. Williams 94 89 97 A. W. Pritchard 122 90 145 W. Barrell 139 159 144 J. Cunningham 115 134 142 Green Bros 117 — 159 J. W. Green 119 108 165 T. S. Dove 157 141 137 E. Tilley 116 148 149 C. O. King 87 105 89 J. Green. Jun. 155 173 127 A. O. Oakley 1?7 112 57 C. Bartley 95 91 110 Mrs B. Andrews 120 — 164 G. H. Bradford 135 19 141 F. A. Atkinson 158 146 139 A. C. Goodlet 117 87 90 J. A. Luke 148 87 121 F. Hughes 38 115 65 C. Davenport 145 168 154 G. Millar (No. 1) 117 135 142 G. Millar (No. 2) 121 93 145

TEST No. 3.—BLACK ORPINGTONS AND AUSTRAL ORPS. S. Brumby (No. 1) 159 137 141 J. Gunn 19 154 130 A. D. L. McClintock 19 113 63 L. Brumby 103 140 119 D. A. McKie 163 81 121 T. Kennard 111 106 155 Mrs H. Williams 147 135 101 T. Robinson 17 103 144 S. Brumby (No. 2) 184 105 53

S. T. Bason (Lan.) 89 121 111 J. D. Gobbe (B.L.) 50 64 78 A. W. Psltchard (L.S.) 66 116 135 R. Bruce (Buff. O.) 75 93 57 W. J. Scott (RJ.R.) 146 100 40 R. Pearce (An.) 119 79 105 C. Sanderson (An.) 104 79 88

A. D. Russell 29 744 T. S. Dove (No. 1) 35 777 T. S. Dove (No. 2) 31 707 J. Cunningham 25 747 F. A. Hall 30 . 750 J. W. McGlinchy 30 823 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 1) 23 605 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 2) 35 675 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 3) 29 790 T. B. Grant . 23 751 G. H. Bradford 27 760 D. A. McKie 33 832 Mrs B. Andrews 33 665 E. P. Anderson 26 543 G. O. Rutherford 34 792 H. Williams 21 756 A. Woolley (No. 1) 37 740 A. Woolley (No. 2) 31 636 A. Woolley (No. 3) 34 ■ 748 J. Liggins 30 694 E. Nottingham 27 814 A. O. Oakley 24 607 TEST No. 6.—SINGLE DUCK TEST. W. R. Wooding (K.C.) 195 140 97 A. G. F. Ross (I.R.) 79 184 185 J. W. Cottier (P.) 124 90 84 G. Wright (K.C.) (I.) 158 169 162 L. Williams (I.R.) 130 172 166 H. E. Anderson (K.C.) 185 131 185 H. J. Anderson (I.R.) 166* — 155 G. Wright (K.C.) (2) 123 140 — J. W. Thomson (I.R.) • — 198 156 I. A. Horsley (K.C.) — 179 163 F. Ashworth (K.C.) 88 190 169 W. A. Toon (K.C.) 188 189 132