POULTRY YARD

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1931, Page 24 (Supplement)

POULTRY YARD

BY

G. H. AMBLER

PREPARE FOR AUTUMN & WINTER., MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG PULLETS The production of the autumn and winter egg • is not altogether an easy matter, and certainly not as easy as one would imagine it to be. One freouently has to face difficulties which crop up at the eleventh hour, to say nothing of the climatic conditions prevailing 0 during these periods, and winch are certain to have an adverse effect on Let it be understood that the winter egs is not the outcome of a few weeks’ forcible feeding, but rather the result of careful and selective breeding, hatching and rearing at the right period, together with a correct management of the young stock, right from birth to layino- stage. Ignore all or some of these°factors, and the results are certain to bo somewhat disappointing. CAREFUL SELECTIVE BREEDING. Although the terms careful and selective breeding are practically self-ex-planatory no harm will follow the emphasising of their importance. It is impossible to secure birds _ capable of producing a good average yield of eggs unless great care is taken to select both male and female from stock renowned for egs laying qualities. If this method is practised every year there should be an improvement in both numbers of and quality of the flock as a whole. The winter egg factor can also be encouraged and improved by selective breeding, and this should be done in conjunction with the general improvement. The progeny from a selected mating should be superior to the parent flock, or, at any rate, a large proportion should, and if the pullets are trapnested for a year one can draw one s own conclusions. The average dairyfarmer knows full well that the milk yield is built up by selective and pedigree methods, and the system is applicable to the laying fowl. HATCHING AND REARING. Age or maturity has much to do with the production of the autumn egg. Pullets cannot be expected to produce the goods until they are fully matured, and as it generally takes so many months to accomplish this stage, one cannot hasten production without incurring •xreat risks. It is,, therefore, essential to hatch the prospective layers early enough, so that they have ample time to develop under natural conditions, and commence production early in April. Most of us know that the heavy breeds require four to six weeks longer to mature than the light breeds, and allow’ance must be made for this. Certain strains will also mature more rapidly than others. Feeding and general management have also much to do with development, and all these, points should be borne in mind at the time of hatching A keen and observant poultry keeper is aware of these governing factors, and arranges his programme accordingly. ... it From observations in the past, 1 am inclined to think that the prospective winter producers are hatched too late. If we take the various laying trials into consideration and note the results, we find that quite a large proportion of the competing birds do not lay durinty April and May. Personally, I would rather err on the early than the late side for hatching, because one can retard development somewhat bett • than one can encourage it. The question arises which are the most suitable months for hatching the winter layers? Opinions may differ on this point, but I should favour August, September, and October. Anyone keeping Sussex, Orpingtons, or Rocks, would be well advised to hatch the majority by the end of August, and those favouring Wyandottes and Rhode Islands in September, with most of the nonsitting breeds in April. UP TO THE LAYING STAGE. This now brings me to my third point, namely, “correct management of young stock from birth to laying stage.” Correct management means the rearing and development of the pullets through the various stages, paying due regard to stamina, sanitation, and the many other little points likely to have an adverse effect on the flock. An endeavour should be made to secure frame and size before the development of the egg organs. If size is not secured before the production of the first' eg<r it becomes very difficult to attain it°later, chiefly because any extra food fed to promote size will be, used towards increased production of eggs, thereby defeating the object in .view. SIZE OF STOCK. Lack of size is a very common fault in the egg producing stock to-day. There arc thousands of birds far too small to produce saleable-sized eggs, and the sooner this is realised by breeders the better it will be for the egg industry as a whole. Whether it is due to inbreeding, late hatching, or general mismanagement, I am unable to say, but' the fact remains. Some of the Leghorns and Wyandottes are perhaps the worst offenders. In the craze for early maturity and high records there has been a tendency to overlook size of bird and eggs. While not in favour of the carthorse type of layer, I do not like to see plump, weighty pullets; birds which after a season’s laying will develop into -vigorous hens suitable for breeding robust chickens. Such birds can be secured only by paying attention to the points enumerated above. COMFORTABLE HOUSING. In striving for a good supply of autumn eggs we must not overlook the importance of getting the stock comfortably housed in their permanent winter quarters before egg production starts in earnest. One should decide well ahead how the laying stock are to be accommodated, and then endeavour to keep to the programme. There is nothing more conducive to egg-prodtie-tion than contentment and comfortable quarters. Continuous moves to fresh houses and surroundings, which may or may not be ideal, will surely have an adverse effect on the egg yield, and probably delay production six or eight weeks.

It is just as important to decide on the system of feeding and the rations to be used. As a matter of fact, the chickens should be educated and initiated into these important matters from birth. I know from experience howdifficult it is to persuade pullets reared on wet mash to take to the dry-mash system. They will often refuse it for days or even weeks, and during this period they lose condition unless wet mash is given as a supplementary med. Under these conditions dty mash should be given the birds during the day-time, and as they gradually become accustom- < to it, the wet mash should be withdrawn.

The next annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association which is to be held in Auckland in March, should mark another advance in the industry. There are many, things that can be done to broaden our. policy. Several matters come to my mind, but it is not for me to make remits. The export trade should instil . vim and confidence. Its great value is not understood as it should be. The summer markets have not yet reached the value of export. It is evident the public of new Zealand is getting eggs too cheaply compared with the cost of foods and the work required to produce them. The matter is one that could be remedied, and the conference should provide the remedy; the field is wide. AUCKLAND SHOW. Fanciers will be interested to know that the Auckland A. and P. Association has decided to again add poultry and pigeon classes to its summer, show schedule. The show will be held in the Epsom showgrounds and thb birds will be penned in a large marquee. Practically all breeds are being catered for. With a low entry fee, liberal prize, money for each class, apd popular judges this event should receive the support of all fanciers. Apart from its value as an advertising medium, a win at Auckland is always a popular one. A PIONEER FANCIER DEAD. Another link has been severed by the death of Mr. E. D.. Rees, one of ths foundation members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club. “Dan” as he was known to his fancier friends, was a keen exhibitor of fancy pigeons and retained an interest in his favourites to the end.