IN THE POULTRY YARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18599, 21 June 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

IN THE POULTRY YARD

SHELL-TREATED EGGS. Eggs which have been shell treated by dipping in a tasteless mineral oil to improve their keeping qualities are increasing in popularity, and sales this season far exceeded those cf any previous years (writes Colonel L. Brown in “The Country Gentleman’’). Chain stores have helped to popularise them and are now distributing them by the carload. States which have laws regulating the sale of eggs usually specify that the eggs which have been dipped in oil must be retailed as “processed,” “shell I treated,” or “preserved.” Although a few States have discriminated against the processed eggs, it is noteworthy that officials of some of the largest consuming States look upon the practice as a protection to consumers as well as producers. The actual processing is done by two methods, the most common being the hot-dip method. This requires expert manipulation, as the eggs are left in oil heated to 225 Fahr. to 240 Fahr. for only a few seconds. This helps to toughen the membrane under the shell, but does not coagulate the white. Cold dipping requires no special equipment and is feasible for generalfarm or poultry-ranch work. All that it necessary is to immerse the eggs in the oil. This can be done by using a wire-mesh basket and then allowing the eggs to drain dry immediately. Suitable mineral oils are obtained most cheaply from large gas and oil distributors. Processing seals the pores of the shell and thereby retards water loss and deterioration. Results have shown that it is especially beneficial when supplying retailers -who have no special equipment for keeping eggs, and often allow them to become heated through displaying them in sunny windows. It also tends to prevent the development of musty flavour in cold storage eggs. This treatment cannot, of course, improve the quality of eggs which have already deteriorated to any extent, and is of little use for them. It is of real value, however, for fresh-laid eggs of good quality, as they will maintain their quality longer either in storage or at normal temperatures. By processing each day’s lay as it is gathered, producers will be able to reduce the shrinkage which occurs while they are collecting sufficient quantities to market. It should be especially useful at the season when the lay is light and it takes several days for the smallflock owrner to collect enough to market. The price of shell-treated eggs is often slightly higher than that of untreated of the corresponding grade, but the chief value of the treatment lies in preserving quality.

WINTER FOOD AND EXERCISE.

During the winter it is said that hens do not only require more food, but that it should also be of a better quality than at any other season of the year. The theory advanced for this remark is that more nourishment is required to provide body heat, cause the lower temperature calls for a more severe strain upon the birds’ energy. Their opportunities for feeding and scratching are also greatly reduced owing to the dark and shorter days, by “more food” it must be remembered that it is not only a question of quantity for no benefit will be received if the essential ingredients for egg production are omitted. Cheap food is invariably deficient in this respect, and notwithstanding that the birds receive all they require—it to false economy—because

they are non-productive so far as eggs are concerned. This difficulty can be overcome by adding ingredients that are rich in protein, i.e., flesh-forming and egg-producing foods, such as fishmeal and meat-meal. It is real economy to add either one of these to the mash in the proportion of one-tenth of the whole mash. Here arises the question as to whether the mash feed is better given at morning or evening time, but when it is argued from the standpoint of exercise there is little doubt that evening is preferable. A man will take exercise to get warm, but hens want egging on to obtain warmth, and the only way to do this is by causing them to scratch and forage about in search of food. A grain feed in the morning will give a couple of hours of natural exercise, which has a more lasting effect toward keeping birds in condition. On the other hand, the poultrykeeper who gives a warm mash as the first feed reasons to himself that by so doing he is warming the birds on cold mornings. As far as it goes that is all very well, but the trouble is that such warmth is only of short duration, and with a full crop there is no inclination for the necessary exercise. In effect that means standing about for the next two or three hours until hunger calls again, so where does the the more lasting warmth come in? Whichever method appeals to the reader it should be remembered that a great strain is entailed on the system by constant egg-production, and the only way to make that good is by generous feeding.—“ Poultry World.” SCALY LEGS. To Cure Scaly Legs.—Fowls are often seen with an ugly incrustation or lump of scales about the leg near the foot. The trouble is caused by a very small insect under the scales. The complaint is much more common amongst the feather-legged breeds, as might be expected. Fowls kept on runs of ash or cinder are much more subject to attack, as this is the chief objection to such runs, which are generally acknowledged to harbour insects. By the way, coke has the opposite effect, and if pounded up and mixed in the dust bath, because of the sulphur in it. Though scaly-leg is common, there is no need to tolerate it when the cure is so cheap and simple. A very good remedy is to brush the affected parts with paraffin. Take an old toothbrush or suchlike, and brush it crossways, so as to work well between the scales. Morning is the best time to do it. Another remedy is sulphur ointment well rubbed in. Some use carbolic soap—in fact, anything to kill the insects without injury to the bird. Care should be taken so as not to remove too much of the scaly mass at a time, because blood will be drawn. After a few dressings the scales will fall off. If the owner does not mind the appearance of the masses the matter should have attention for the well-being and peace of the bird, which would otherwise have the breast resting on hard and sharp lumps of scales when roosting. (Dunedin “Star.”) WASHED EGGS. That it is an advantage to wasn eggs intended for incubation* is indicated by experiments conducted recently at the Government poultry farm at Seven Hills, New South Wales. Clean eggs, soiled eggs, and washed eggs, collected from the same pens, were placed in one incubator under identical conditions. The washed eggs gave the best hatch percentage, the normally clean lot following, and the soiled eggs finishing third. The experiment is being repeated, and it is expected that more definite conclusions will be announced shortly.—“ Farmer and Settler.”