Farm Notes

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 45209, 5 April 1910, Page 4

Farm Notes

POULTRY NOTES. (“by cackler.” HOW TO GET EGGS IN WINTER In nine cases out of ten, when >• e see ai! : cles on winter egg product iou, the writer starts by saying b\s favouiito breed is the only one \o keep, and that his particular si rain has a reputation for he3vv winter laying. Sometimes tb'S is true, but in many . cases it is the breeder's love for his fowls mat causes him to praise up so highly. Where eggs are the aimed at, purebred fowls are the requirement first, last, and all the time, as experience has shown that they lay better, and also pay belter than common stock. When the farmer realises that with a little extra care and a variety of feed he can get highly profitable resuds, he will discard his mongrels, and get pure-bred slock of any favourite breed. In selecting the slock from which to get winter eggs, all hees over three years old should be discarded ; also aH bens and pul’ets that do not look strong, healthy and vigorous. You may perhaps think that you want a certain number of heus and pullets to ensure a good average of winter eggs, and you may keep everything you have as long as it is a hen J but you will make a mistake if you do not discard the runts and old bens. Tbe best time of a fowl’s life is her first and second season, so that the proper time to get rid of the old hens is after they have finished their second laying seasoa and just before they start to moult. How and what to feed is a very important matter in getting eggsin winter. Although corn is a very good food for poultry, there is too much of it fed on most farms. It is much better to feed a variety, not only to get eggs, but also for the health of the fowls, as too much corn will get them too fat, and they will become lazy and sick.