The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 726, 27 July 1929, Page 32

The Poultry Yard

(&U GEO. H. AMBLER.) AGE OF BREEDING-STOCK m

IN choosing our breeding stock we must not use immature I birds or the result will only be loss of constitutional vigour. A very common idea is that the power to reproduce is a certain sign that the time of reproduction has arrived. That may be true with birds in a wild state. There, however, the conditions are totally different, as a wild hen is older when she begins to lay than her domesticated sister, and her ability to withstand the conditions of her environment has been abundantly tested. Eireeders should ever remember that all our efforts to increase productiveness will tend to degeneracy unless strenuously resisted by the most careful and rigid selection of birds ful'ly matured.

Experience has shown that the breeding power of domesticated birds uud mammals alike precedes by a longer or shorter period the time when the best and most vigorous stock will result. In the progeny of early matings, the duration of life is much below that where parents are mature. The effect upon the physical system in this direction is therefore the determining factor. Unfortunately nothing is more difficult to discern, or more elusive than constitutional vigour. Evil conditions, bad feeding and treatment, work speedily, and any resultant effects are soon developed. Such is not the case when immature parents are used; in fact, the loss in one generation may be very small indeed—so small as to be unrecognisable. This is how many poultry keepers are misled. They cannot discern much difference between the chickens bred from pullets and those from older hens, or what there may be appears infinitesimal. Something may be done to overcome this by greater care in selection, but it is present and active all the same.

What we have to guard against is the accumulation of influences working in one and the same direction for a series of years—minute, it may be, in each, but considerable in the aggregate. It is desirable to recognise that, for certain purposes, breeding from cockerels and pullets is unavoidable, this being true in the hatching of layers which are not intended for stock purposes. There is no doubt that the period immediately prior and up to the attaiument of maturity yields the best results in numbers and physical vitality—due, it is suggested, to the fact that the great functional activities are at their maximum, and also that the greatest amount of vigour is present. There is a distinct falling-off in both directions at the extremes of productiveness—that is, breeding from immature or aged parents respectively does not yield the same satisfactory results. These facts lead to the conclusion that the progeny attain the highest standard of vigorous physical and functional strength in the second year, extending to the early part of the third year. Breeders must learn that the mating of yearlings is an economic mistake. It is one of the many instances of plucking the fruit before it is ripe. NUMBER OF FEMALES IN THE PEN The number of females iu the pen is a much-disputed question, and it is

not wise to make any rule, as much depends upon the breed and upon the conditions under which the birds are housed, and whether on free range or otherwise. Cocks on free range will manage double the quantity of those confined to small runs. Birds of the heavy breeds are not so active as those of the lighter ones, and therefore do not require so many mates. If the birds are of the lighter breeds, and have a good grass run, 10 to 12 will not be too many. The heavy breeds can be reduced to, say, six or eight. This number can be exceeded with individuals possessed of a vigorous and active habit, and kept under natural conditions.

See that the male birds get their share —a generous share—of proper food. They do not pick for themselves to the same extent as the hens, and during the chief breeding period additional maize and meat are the best form of food to give regularly, in moderation, with judgment as to condition. Never use spices or temporary stimulants, and do not allow the birds to run down in condition before taking any trouble. Too often loss of the vitality in the males toward the end of the season is accouutable for the weakly late chickens, which are unprofitable to hatch, Having satisfied ourselves so far as the males are concerned, our next business will be in the selection of the females. SELECTING FEMALES The selection of hens for egg-pro-duction is not as yet an exact science, and although the carful work of many’ earnest students is beginning to bear fruit we have not yet arrived at the point where we can positively say, "This hen will lay 200 eggs,” or “that hen will not lay 100,” and be sure we are right. There seems to be an elusive something that we have not as yet quite grasped which something

throws us wide of the mark in mak ing such estimates. However, we cau make the above statements and be strictly correct with them in SO to 90 per cent, of cases; and readers will agree this much knowledge is certainly worth having. When Hogan issued his book, “The Call of the Hen,” it marked a milestone on the road to progress in poultry-keeping. It is not so much the actual statements in the book as the tremendous fillip it has given to finding out methods of identifying. layers by external characteristics.

The exaggerated claims made by some of the supporters of the var-

ious methods only bewilder the beginner. Trap-nesting, or better still, single pen testing has not been, and is not likely to be, abolished by any newly-discovered or resurrected methods of finding the layer. While these methods are valuable for telling beforehand the likely layers, or rather with a certain amount of accuracy the bad layers, It will always remain for the single pen or trap-nest to give us the true number of eggs laid by a fowl. It is like taking an expert trout fisher round the rivers of New Zealand. He will tell you that some rivers are “no good,” but when he I tells you that this river would yield j 150 fish and that one 200, you cannot be certain how nearly right he is until you have caught the fish. In order to lay well a bird must have a sound body. The first birds to be culled out of your flock as nonpi oducers are the ones that show a lack of constitutional vigour or vitality. In order to lay well a bird must be both vigorous and healthy. The vigorous birds are easily recognised by experienced poultrymen. They are the early risers, the ones that dig the biggest holes in the garden, as a bird that is intended by nature to lay many eggs is always thinking of finding the wherewithal to do so, and is about both early and late, endeavouring to gather nitrogenous material that will enable it to perform its appointed task. It is always hunting for slugs, snails, and worms to balance up its grain ration. Nature impels it to work, and the lazy “corner-boy hen” who stands hunched up in a corner is never a good layer. In fact, vigour and health are shown by a bright, full, and clear eye, an‘ alert air, a well-set body, a comparatively active disposition, and a good circulation. After culling out the birds that lack the above characteristics, we must see that the rest are free from physical defects, such as crooked beak, excessive long toe-nails, eyelids that overhang so that the bird cannot see well scaly legs or anything else that would keep the bird from seeing or getting ar. abundance of food. S ”

GENERAL NOTES The following are the results of the Taranaki Egg Laying Test to and in-1 eluding the fifteenth week: In the White Leghorn section M. j Scanlon’s hen is leading with 92 e' rtr s ! to her credit, followed by J. A. Mac- i kay’s hen with 86 eggs. In the Rhode I Island section only one egg divides A. i J. Lacey’s No. 2 and No. 4 heus. Gibbons »’os.’ birds are leading in both the Golden and White Wyandotte sections, also in Langshans. In the Black Orpington section D. M. Waddell’s hen is putting up a remarkable performance so far, as she has laid 106 eggs in the 105 days the competition has been running. H. Kirkwood’s hen is leading in the Light Sussex section. P. W. Walker’s hen is leading in the Brown Leghorns. D. Riley’s duck is leading in the Fawn and White Runner section. White Runners are not doing at all well, the leading bird having laid onlv 26 eggs to date. In the “any other variety” ducks J. W. Carrick’s Khaki Campbell is well .ahead. In the three-bird team test. light breeds. R. Cannon’s White Leghorns are well leading. Gibbons Bros ’ Gol-

den Wyandottes are leading in the heavy breed team test. AUCKLAND CANARY AND CAGE BIRD CLUB’S ANNUAL SHOW

Record entries have been received by the Auckland Canary and Cage Bird Club for its annual show to be held in the Epiphany Hall on July 26 and 27. Over 300 birds of various breeds will be staged, including, Yorkshires, Norwich and Crests in canary section. A special feature of the show will be the large exhibit of Pinches, British and Foreign birds, including several Nightingales, one of which proved such an attraction at the recent Oneliunga Show. The Auckland Agricultural Association has given its patronage to the show and will be exhibiting a large number of birds in the British and Foreign section. An additional attraction will be an exhibit of several performing mules. It would seem that a treat is in store for all lovers of cage birds' who visit the show. PERSONAL NOTES Miss Ambler, Glen Eden, has again had a most successful show season, her latest success being at the New Zealand Leghorn Show held in conjunction with the Stratford Poultry Club s Annual Show, where she was awarded first iu English White Leghorn cocks, first in English White Leghorn hens, first in English White Leghorn cockerels, third in English White Leghorn pullets, and first in Minorca pullets; also special best English Leghorn, male, special Best English Leghorn. female. Stratford Club’s trophy best English Leghorn in show, and Leghorn Club’s ten-guinea cup for Best English or American Leghorn iu show. It being the Leghorn Club’s annua] show competition was keen. Her birds were home from the Auckland show only two days before leaving for Stratford, and had to leave Glen Eden a couple of days before the Stratford event.

At five shows this year Miss Ambler ; has been awarded five challenge cups, \ five trophies. 42 first, seven special, ; 12 second and nine third prizes: also North Island Championship for Khaki Campbell ducks. Her wins also include special for best English Leghorn at Pukekohe. special for best ; utility duck or drake in show, Roto- 1 rua: special for best male, light breeds. ! other than Game (open section), Roto- ■ rua; cup for best duck or drake, other ■ than Runner, Auckland: cup for best: bird in light breeds, other than Game (open section). Auckland: special best Minorca, Auckland: special, best Leg-! horn ; n show (fancy or utility classes). I Auckland. During the week I received a letter ; from Mrs. Oomvns-Lewer, editor of “Feathered World.” London, in which she »-ives some interesting details re- j garding her recent tour of South : Africa. It is exceed'nglv gratifying to I hear from Mr. hewer after the ! absence of the writer from England for so many' years.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT Persistent Colds, W.M.S.—You are in o very cold place, and I doubt your getting: rid of the cold until the spring. It does not in any way affect their laying, so they are not taking much harm. You might try one teaspoonful of ammoniated tincture of quinine in each pint of water used in mixing their soft food, and give it, say. 10 days’ trial. Tn your case nothing can be given in the drinking water as the birds drink at the stream.