OUR AGRICULTURAL LETTER. POULTRY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6732, 15 April 1885, Page 2

OUR AGRICULTURAL LETTER. POULTRY.

Onb of the smaller items of profit which should assume a far -more prominent position, is the growth of fowls for the sake of their return rather than for the few eggs, and an occasional dinner for the use of the house. Though the ostrich may be farmed in a larger way so as 191 9 return a great amount of the annual income at a considerable interest on outlay, fowls will do far more if properly managed in their line, but they are one of the few things in which the limit of profitable production appears to be reached before any very large amount oaa be realised from their cultivation. Theea profits arise in two ways, first from eggs, and next from the sale of roosters for the table, while the hens which have lived their Hues should die for the consumption of the farmer's family. There is only one way to obtain any return from poultry, and that is to feed, and to feed with the beet results the food mutt be varied, not mixed. Fowls get Bick of one or other kind of food, and cease to give commensurate results when confined to one sort. In this country where inseot life is so great, poultry obtain a very large proportion of their food for themselves, and this proportion has a great deal to do with the production of eggs, but not all ; it nuit be supplemented with some sort of grain, or the eggs will be intermittent and small, atid without some portion ot succulent vegetable food, the birds become un« healthy. A grass paddock is the best rnn for all kinds of poultry, failing which chopped cabbage or carrot, or in fact any garden produce, is eagerly devoured. Of the grain food, that which is best pays best. Wheat full bodied and wholesome is absolutely their best food, but we have a natural aitipathy to throw the best corn to fowls, so the next best comes the seconds.- When the birds become as it were clogged with wheat, barley or oats should be substituted; in fact, the four grains, maize, wheat, oats, and barley, should always be fed alternately, about a week of each with occasional scatterings of any other grain food which may be about, such as sunflowers, beans, peas, or any garden or field seeds of which the germination is too doubtful to risk the sowing. Near the bush at certain seasons of the year, the hens are very fond of the berries which fall about in large quantities, and at such times their grain food may cease for a period altogether. When insects become scarce, a bullock's liver hung just so that they can reach it, will often set a largo portion of those hens which had knocked off laying at work at once. At the same timo a plentiful supply of lime must be about in some form to prevent soft eggs. All the broken crockery also should be smashed up with a hammer and thrown out for them to pick up. About the breeds of poultry, there ara so many different opinions, that it is a dangerous point to touch on. Each farmer has his own peculit.r breed to which he draws attention, and to which he will .yield superiority in no other, hut for the greatest profits to be obtained by the farmer as against the fancier, the old breeder's maxim " Let the male be pure" must bo adhered to, the female may be as much mongrel as she likes, and the greater the better result, so long as one-half is pure. The male bird should be changed every year, and if more than one be kept all should be of the same breed ; the commoner sorts will be found to be the best. A rotation of Game, Dorking, Brahma and Spanish will gire hens which will answer all the farmer's purposes. Care must be taken to reduce the stock annually, the young roosters must go to market as they become fit. A fortnight in a dark coop with plenty of soft food will at any time make them worth half as much again for the market basket ;' and all hem over three years, however good, should bo sacrificed as they have reached their limit as layers, but are still tender and as palatable as young roosters. In preparing birds for the market a great loss is sustained in the way this matter in managed here. Were the birds plucked and nicely packed they would certainly realise 4s or 5s a couple ; but by sending them alive to the sale yard but Is to Is 6 i each is the outside obtained and the feathers are lost. These aro an important item in any wellconducted farm-house, and if not sold the beds are always spoken of by visitors with pleasure. -^. Fowls must not be too crowded in their - runs ; about 40 in one place are as many as will yield tho greatest return, and if of a good mongrel sort and properly fed a very large profit will be obtained. At the low estimate of half laying and 81 per dozen, over £18 will be received for eggs alone, besides which there will be a great quantity of spring pullets laying in the autumn, and a goodly number of roosters sent to market, besides several dinners of old stock to assist the general expenses. The feather? too will be worth something. The outlay will be for fowls to start, Bay £3, and for six bagi of corn £3 more, so that we may consider there is a return of over 400 per cent, on our outlay. Ducks, goeec, and turkeys, tkough ▼•ry profitable, are not so ranch go bb fowls, as th.ir eggs aro not so saleable', but the right Bort of ducks are wonderful layers, and a few should always be kept to supply the house while the hen eggs go to town. Geese are very profitable if luck be had .vith them, and two geess and a gander should always be kept over for a start. They should not bo younger than three years, for the older the female the earlier ia the year she will lay, and therefor* the earlier the young brood and the better dinner for Christmas. Turkeys are very delicate and wunt tnuoh care when young; but their eggs and ilesh are delicious and are well worth all their trouble when eaten at houi", but as an articlo of profit thoy don't pay. „ ,^ wW , • ■ / IjJjsa'cs J. J. E,