THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 560, 12 January 1929, Page 24

THE POULTRY YARD

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.)

Summer Feeding

IN a general way tlie poultry-keeper will not want to reduce his rations in summer as compared with winter feeding, except as the fowls themselves do it. In other words, the birds should have practically all they want to eat. As they naturally require less, however, if the feeding is gauged by their appetites, there will be no danger of over feeding. The chief things to keep in mind are to avoid fattening foods. Provide an abundance of green feed, and for fowls in confinement a reasonable amount of compulsory exercise.

Fowls that have an opportunity to choose their own rations will make decided changes at different seasons of the year. What they will do in confinement, with a limited range or choice, is not an exact Indication of their natural requirements, but it should afford a clue to the changes that should be made in the regular rations. Some years ago I conducted a number of long-term expe.J.nents with fowls confined in small separate pens supplied with hoppers containing the various common poultry feeds to which the fowls were given access at all times, thus enabling them to balance their own rations. The average weekly consumption of the different feeds in periods of four weeks showed how the birds varied their diet from month to month, from July 25th, to February S. The consumption of maize dropped off decidedly as warm weather came on, though the change in feed consumption and weight is less than might be expected. FOOD CHOICE LIMITED The average poultry keeper has comparatively little opportunity for adjusting rations to seasonal requirements, since choice in feeds is quite limited. Kibbled maize, oats, wheat and a simple dry-mash form the standard- requirements in most parts of the Dominion, and, except in localities where other grains are grown, it is not practical to go beyond | these in selecting feeds for fowls. Manufacturers of commercial readymixed feeds naturally have a much - better opportunity to provide variety j in the ration than does the individual poultry-keeper, for which reason such feeds are especially desirable for summer use. It is always wise to reduce con- | sumption as warm weather comes on, i but oats may be fed as freely as the ; fowls will eat them. As a matter of ; fact, the nutritive elements in oats do not differ materially from those of maize, aside from their high percent- ! age of crude fibre. The practical effect of substituting oats for maize is to aatisfy the appetite of the fowl without supplying so much digestible food. It is necessary to be careful about giv-

xng an excess of fibre, however, no matter in what form it is supplied. Where this is done production is reduced and the health of the birds often seriously affected. The injurious effects Apf excess fibre apparently are much reduced where oats are soaked or sprouted before feeding. GREEN FEED DESIRABLE An abundance of green feed In the summer time is highly desirable not only because it has a direct beneficial effect upon the digestion of the fowls. Birds on open range in the summer time frequently suffer from a lack of succulent green feed, for as warm weather comes on ordinary vegetation becomes tough and woody, in which condition it is not palatable to the fowls and is practically indigestible. The fowl’s need of water is particularly great in hot weather. It assists not only in the maintenance of ordinary physiological functions, but also helps to keep the fowls cool just as in other animals. It is important obviously to have it as cool as possible, and since fowls appear to be rather indifferent in regard to the source of supply, particular attention should be given to drainage or filling in of low places after a rain, so that they will have to drink at the regularly provided watering places, which should be located in the shade REASONS WHY POULTRY REQUIRE SHADE Poultry confined in runs in blistering hot summer weather suffer severely, fail to thrive, and drop off in egg production unless adequate shade of some sort is provided. This unprofitable state of affairs can readily be avoided or eliminated by a little thought and well-rewarded work on the part of the owner. Shade of some kind, either natural or artificial, is imperative if hens are to be profitably maintained at their maximum egg production, and if growing chicks are to escape a severe set-back or even worse as the direct result of unavailable shade. Authorities tell us that our present day breeds of chickens originated from wild fowls found in regions having a torrid climate, sweltering sunlight and days and nights of almost equal length

the year round; therefore we might reasonably expect that our poultry should be well able to stand extremely hot weather, without discomfort or damage, but such is not the case. The truth of the matter is that domesticated fowls, as we know them, do suffer severely. - Domestication under the different conditions of a more moderate climate has apparently cost them much of the original hardiness which was possessed by their wild ancestors. At any rate we know hc*.v scorching heat and summer sun together have a highly harmful effect upon the general health of poultry, and that certain serious disorders often follow prolonged exposure. No doubt the fact that fowls alone, of all domesticated farm animals, do not have sw-eat glands in their skin explains the condition, at least in part; for their only provision for maintaining normal body temperature is by panting. The hard-worked farm horse can perspire freely, thus cooling off quickly when necessary, but who has ever noticed hens as they stood panting furiously in the scant shade of a gate post; their wings are slightly raised, their beaks opened, and their sides are heaving with each quick-drawn gasp. Such a condition as this cannot but result in the poor condition of small chicks. ILL-EFFECTS OF OVERHEATING Ducks and geese are especially liable to suffer from the ill-effects of overheating. Young chicks, though they require a relatively high temperature while brooding, will be seriously affected if the heat becomes too great, or if direct sunlight is not kept off. Good shade protects from heat and sun, while permitting proper ventilation, an essential of profitable and successful poultry rearing. Another point to be kept in mind is the great need of shade during the period of summer moult. Show birds, and particularly the coloured varieties, must be well protected from the strong rays of the sun during and just after the moult, when the new feathers are just out. If this is not done the colours are liable to fade, a fault which will never be overlooked by the successful and experienced breeder and exhibitor of show birds—nor by the poultry judge. But how can the necessary shade be supplied? Plans for the summer shade should be made early in the spring, when there is time to take the necessary steps, for eleventh-hour attempts to provide shade usually meet with indifferent success. On the average farm we frequently find that the matter of shade for poultry receives but little thought, and still we seldom hear of injury resulting directly from intense heat when the flock is handled according to tile common farm plan. Why is this true? Usually because on the general farm there is ample natural shade, and poultry running at large, as they usually are permitted to do, are free to seek shelter from the sun under shade trees and bushes during the hottest part of the day.

GENERAL NOTES

THE PAPANUI EGG-LAYING TEST With the exception of a'few of the Indian Runner ducks the birds in the Papanui test are not laying as well as those in the Auckland test. Up to the end of the 38th week, C. E. Barnett’s duck headed the duck section. In the Shaw Metfforial test the White Leghorn section is headed by L. J. Knowles’s hen, H. Harrison’s team of White Leghorns heading the flock teams. In the three-bird test, one of T. W. Betteridge’s White Leghorn hens is leading, closely followed by a hen of the same breed belonging to. J. M. Thomson. We hear that several birds in the Papanui test are laying under-weight eggs. This seems to be a growing evil in a good many tests, and the sooner breeders tackle the question of eliminating the small eggers from their breeding pen the better for the industry. Even though a hen may lay over 300 eggs, if they are under-weight, in my opinion, she is little use as a breeder. In fact, I would not tolerate a bird of that description in any of my breeding pens. MACHINE FOR WASHING EGGS in the way or laboursaving devices are continually coming to the assistance of the overworked poultry man. Quite recently a machine was invented in England to test, grade and pack eggs, and from the latest copy of “The Feathered World” we note a machine has been invented for washing eggs. This has been invented by Mr. Brooks King. In describing the appliance, Mr. H. B. Car-l-ington, president of the Utility Duck Club, says that for poultry farmers who are producing a large quantity of duck eggs it is indispensible, and he .cannot now imagine how he ever managed without when washing had to be done by hand. The machine, which will wash 500 to 600 eggs an hour, removes all stains from the egg. The principle of the machine is a circular concave brush, revolving at a high speed in a shallow tank of water. The eggs to be cleaned are placed on four rubber cones carried on spindles and fitted in a cradle, being driven by elastic bands passing over pulleys from the main brush shaft. The cradle can be swayed backwards and forwards to regulate the pressure of eggs against the brush and all parts come in contact with the brush. When an egg is cleaned the cradle is pulled back, allowing the egg to drop into a rubber conveyor, whence it is swept into the egg trap (arranged to break the fall of the egg) and thence into the clean water tank for final rinsing. We understand the work of the machine is very simple, and can be operated by a. child of eight or ten years old. TARANAKI EGG-LAYING COMPETITION The following are the results of the

Taranaki egg-laying competition to and including the 39th week: In the White Leghorn section, W. Cannon’s leading hen has laid the possible, bringing her total to 213 eggs A. J. Davey’s and W. Ferguson’s birds closely following. F. S. Allen’s hen has also topped the 200-egg mark. J. K. Hawkins’s hen in the Black Minorca section laid only three eggs for the week. Black Orpingtons are still doing badly, laying only four and five eggs each for the . week. H. Kirkwood’s leading Light Sussex also laid four. C. C. Cleaver’s Rhode Island Red is making a bid for supremacy in the heavy-breed section, being now only 14 eggs behind the leader, A. Gibbons’s White Wyandotte hen. In the Fawn and White Runner duck section V. L. Gane is still doing remarkably well, having again laid seven eggs for the week. The White Runners are not maintaining their reputation, and J. W. Carrick’s duck looks like overtaking D. M. Waddell’s bird, only 18 eggs dividing the two. At the recent Crystal Palace Show, in addition to an entry of 13,486 poultry and pigeons, 1,200 rabbits were staged. Although several birds at the auction fetched up to £2O each business was not so brisk as at last year’s show. Lord Dewar’s White Wyandotte cockerel won championship shield for best male on show, the championship for best female belonging to a member going to Mr. A. R. Fish’s Black Rosecomb Bantam pullet, the same owner’s Black Rosecomb cockerel being awarded the challenge bowl for the best male other than winner of championship. The British Black Minorca Club held its annual show in .conjunction with the Palace Show. The winning cockerel, belonging to Mr. W. Binnie, was awarded the international trophy for best Minorca, the club’s challenge cup, silver spoon certificate of merit and 12 specials—a wonderful day’s outing. CANADIAN HEN JUST MISSES BREAKING WORLD’S RECORD At the New Brunswick (Canada), egg-laying competition, a Barred Rock hen belonging to Mrs. E. Hart, of Grand Bay, N. 8., laid 332 eggs during the year, every egg being over 2oz. in weight. The world’s record is, we believe, 333 eggs, and Mr. Hart’s hen, therefore, fell one short of equalling this record. She easily constituted a Dominion record, the previous best being 326, made in the 1925-26 contest at ■ Aggassise, 8.C., held on the Dominion Experimental Farm there. THE WELLSUMMER BIRD I have just received a booklet, published by the British Wellsummer Society, in which the Secretary, Mr. W. Ward, states that the Wellsummer was depicted in some of the paintings

of the Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17tli century. This is an error, as it was not until the middle of the last century that the large Asiatic fowls, the first of the brown egg layers, arrived in Europe. Previous to that time no hens that laid brown eggs existed in Europe, and the Wellsummers were not known until long after the Cochins, Brahmas and Langshans had penetrated Holland. An extraordinary special meeting of the members of the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club will be held at 7.45 p.m. in the Y.M.C.A., on Tuesday, January 15. All members are requested to attend. PERSONAL NOTES Mrs. Warren, Henderson, who is importing a trio of White, also Buff Orpingtons from Messrs. William H. Cook and Sons, St. Mary Cray, Orpington, England, has received advice that these birds have been shipped and will arrive in Auckland during the next couple of weeks. One, of course, always associates the name of Cook with Orpingtons, and Mrs. Warren’s birds coming direct from the farm of the late Mr. William Cook, originator of the Black Orpington, adds special Interest to the importation.. All fanciers will congratulate Mr. T. Dowthwaite, New Zealand’s veteran Runner duck specialist, on the performance of his four Fawn and White ducks in the present Mount Albert laying test. His four ducks have topped the 1,000-egg mark, their score to the end of the 40th week being 1,087, which is a most wonderful performance, the individual scores being: 278, 276, 271, 267 In 280 days. Had each duck laid every day their total would have been only 1,120, so that the four ducks have laid only 33 eggs short of the possible. , Mr. A. Wood's four White Runners are also doing exceptionally well, having also topped the 1,000-mark. Their score is 1,005. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT HEN SUFFERING FROM VENT GLEET “Puzzled,’' Swanson.—Sore vent is "known by the name of cloacitis, and vent gleet, and as it is one of a contagious character you should keep the sufferer isolated. Daily wash the vent to which a little Izal has been added, and then inject one part of" carbolic acid and 40 parts of olive oil, using a dessertspoonful at each operation. Failing this, anoint, with equal parts of blacksulphur and carbonised vaseline. Administer half a teaspoonful daily or else give three drops copaiba In a teaspoonful of raw linseed oil.