IN THE POULTRY YARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18653, 23 August 1930, Page 13

IN THE POULTRY YARD

NOTES FOR BEGINNERS. Get ready for the breeding season. Times are hard and money is not plentiful. Many would be more comfortable if they had a flock of layers. Eggs are cheaper than for many years. Food is cheap. By procuring good strains eggs can be produced profitably. Housing, feeding, and general management must be good. If you have room in the back garden consider poultry. Egg production is perhaps the easiest branch. Table bird production needs better methods. Fresh eggs are always saleable. There is always a market for first quality table birds. Read the notes herein and select your breed. As egg producers White Leghorns, Minorcas, and Black Orpingtons excel. You must, however, select a good strain. Fifty first class layers pay better than 100 not so good. In dealing with poultry you must know each individual. There is no profit in housing and feeding non-producers. By visiting well-known commercial plants you learn a lot. Compare other birds and other housing and note improvements. Do not neglect a good supply of green foods. Do not be misled by “get-rich-quick” methods. You cannot neglect the fundamentals. Which are good breeding, good housing, and good feeding. Lack of sufficient green feed means deficiency in minerals. Such deficiency soon leads to serious deterioration. Avoid draught housing. The cold weather tells its tale. Fowls can stand cold, but not draughts. Keeps the runs clean, also floors of houses and nests. See that hinges and fasteners of doors and gates are in order. See to this at once—by to-morrow damage may happen. See that your chickens are safe from dogs, cats, and rats. All are plentiful in the suburbs. You can start incubating eggs of heavy breeds. If you have not done so. book orders for eggs and chickens without delay.