POULTRY NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144147, 17 July 1913, Page 8

POULTRY NOTES.

(By “Orpington.”)

In view of the rapidly increasing number of poultry fanciers and tho growing importance of tlio industry, a column devoted to poultry matters will be published in the Herald every Thursday, and also in tho Budget on Saturday’s, during tho season at all events, during the busy months. ‘Urpington” will therefore bo glad to receive newsy paragraphs and communications which will no of interest to breeders and poultry keepers generally. Communications should be addressed to ‘'Orpington,” and must reach tho offico not later than Thursday mornings. Advertisements will bo inserted at the ton of this column, Kates on application. For some years past experiments have been made with dry feeding, and, generally speaking, the results achieved have been highly satisfactory. A year or two ago tests were made at the Milton Poultry Farm —a Government institution —and in each case tho birds on the dry mash did better Than those on the ordinary system. A number of local poultry breeders who are in a fairly big way, were induced to test the dry-feeding method, and the outcome has been that to-day they are feeding the dry mash. They claim that the results, so far as egg production is concerned, is a decided improvement, and also urge that their birds have done better all round. In any case, even if the egg production is but equal to that under the ordinary system, tiie dry mash system lias other advantages. It is claimed, lor instance, by Mr. A. Carr, a well-known authority, that the cost of food is all in favour of tho dry; but what is perhaps tho greatest argument in its is tho fact that it does away with -the inconvenience which is frequently occasioned in the mixing and feeding of a wet mash each merning. The great saving of time is apparent. Open-air houses and the dry mnsh system of feeding spell profit and pleasure in poultry 'keeping. The following is a good dry m>sh 50 lb. pollard. 10 lb. bran. 12 lb. maize meal. 10 lb. crushed bone. 10 lb, blood.

2 lb. flour of sulphur. -J- lb. common salt. This must be thoroughly mixed dry, and is always before the birds._ Plenty of green food is fed in the middle of the day, and wheat and oats at night. Grit and clean water, of course, are always before the birds. The Now Plymouth Co-operative Egg Circle has a membership of about SO, and it is expected that before the season is very far advanced the number will have increased to 100. The news of tho tragic death of Mr. E. T. B. Worthy, of Hawcra, came as a great shock to local breeders and exhibitors, and much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Worthy and family in tluhr bereavement.

Three good rules to follow when selecting layers;—(l) Vigour and constitution ; (2) ago of maturity; (3) brightness and fullness of eye. The open-air system of housing has proved very satisfactory, and can bo recommended, no matter how severe kie climate. ' The. AVhito Orpington Club in London recently decided on the following alteration in points: —Type 30, colour SO. Formerly each of these was valued at 25. , . One of the best green foods lor xowls is silver beet of the giant variety. It gives a great yield, _ and plants of the previous year’s sowing, the leaves of which have been removed in tho autumn, will furnish just tho tender material required in tho ear!;/ spring. The plants will continue giving a supply of green feed for four or five years. . August, September and October are tho be-t months in which- to hatch chicks. Pullets hatched prior to August will generally run into a mouic, whilst lato hatched chicks do not develop so satisfactorily as those hatched during tho months mentioned. It is well to remember that laying hens need plenty of good food. A half-fed hen. cannot lay to her full capacity, and if she is a profitable layer there is very little danger of her becoming over fat. If poultry keepers have birds in their pens which are inclined to put on a lot of flesh, then they can rest assured they will not be much good to them as layers, and they would do well to remove them to small pens where they can be “topped off” for the market. “Young chickens should not be allowed to perch; not until their breast bones have begun to harden somewhat.” i This used to bo the invan■able' advico of experienced poultrybreeders to young beginners, but, owing to the danger arising from overcrowding, amongst which may he mention wry tail and general constitutional -weakness through overheating, quite the contrary advice is now being given even by good authorities (says terror, in the Otago Witness); An Australian writer says: —“It is wise to encourage chickens to perch as soon as possible, as by this means they aro not crowded; they are off the ground, and currents of fresh air plaj’ around them, to the advantage of their health and general condition. A fiat perch, 2m. wide, will usually prevent any trouble witn crooked breast-bone. It should bo remembered that the breast-bone of a young chick is very soft, and, if a round perch is used the bono may follow the curve and become bent in. Perching is much more to bo preferred than to allow- tho chickens to bunch on the ground and become overheated. There is nothing like plenty of fresh air’when bringing up chicks. When they are perched they get it, but when camped on tho ground in a heap they don’t. Wo cannot help admiring the aggressive nolicy of the Government in New Soutfi Wales. It makes ono feel as if ono would lovo to bo in tho battle of progress . The poultry industry is receiving great attention, and wo cannot help but think that every- encouragement is given to induce tho poultryman to market his goods and produce them in the largest quantities. One great advantage tho New South Wales poultrymon have is in tho marketing of poultry. The Railway Department furnish poultrymon with coops free of cost. They hold twelve pairs of fowls, and are taken free of charge to any station required. The freight of the birds to market is very small, and much loss than in New Zealand. Tho coops are not allowed to leave the railway premises unless a deposit is left with the etationmaster, anci if not returned within three days they are charged demurrage at the rate of 2s 6d per day. Hero is scope for improvement in New Zealand. At present farmers have to pay railage on coops sent to them, and the railage in with the goods and out for the empty crates, making marketing expensive.—New Zealand Poultry Journal.