IN THE POULTRY YARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18796, 7 February 1931, Page 11

IN THE POULTRY YARD

MANAGEMENT OF GROWING PULLETS. The time is now opportune to again emphasise the importance of feeding and managing the growing pullets to the best advantage (says Mr. F. C. Brown, chief Government poultry expert). The object should be to keep them steadily growing and not force them to maturity. Some poultrykeepers imagine that by forcing pullets to an early laying-point they will be more, profitable than if allowed to reach a complete stage of development before the egg-production period commences. This is a mistake. The precocious pullets will certainly give an earlier return, but in the long run they are hardly likely to prove highly profitable stock. At the time when eggs are returning better prices they will probably go into a moult, while the naturally developed birds which commence egg-production about April, when at least six months old. will lay right through the season without moulting if properly handled. In addition to being a more satisfactory egg-producer the w’ell-develop-ed bird is also vastly superior for the breeding-pen. Constitutional vigour is one of the greatest fundamental requirements in breeding heavy-produc-ing stock, and there is no better method of promoting this than by allowing the growing bird to develop in the most natural way possible. Where it is found that pullets are developing prematurely their diet should be changed for a plainer one. This implies spare feeding of meat, milk, etc. The danger of the highforcing diet is especially great when substitutes such as meat-meal are employed in the mash, for the bird, if she is to get a full meal, is compelled to eat more of the concentrate than her nature demands. Above all one should not overlook the provision of an abundance of green material at this period of the year. MOULTING. Moulting makes a considerable demand on the system of birds, and the time during which they are moulting is a somewhat critical period. There is a considerable amount of difference in the way in which the various breeds come through the moult. Some of the hardier varieties pass through it both rapidly and easily, while others find it most protracted and difficult. The usual period of moulting for a strong bird in its first and second year is six to eight weeks, in which time the feathers are completely cast and new ones occupy their place. It is no uncommon thing to find weak and old birds taking three months, with the result that winter arrives before they get through it, and they do not commence laying until early spring, so that several months are lost. Hanging in the moult has a very bad effect, and also is a sign of weakly constitution. The effect of lice on the body is detrimental, and all moulting birds should be kept free from insect pests. They not only do harm to the new feathers, but also weaken the bird's constitution. It is often forgotten that birds moult the scales of the leg at or about the same time as the feathers. Where they do not fall away naturally, it is better to assist them. A little gentle pressure or the insertion of the finger nail under the edge will cause to fall away. Great care is needed not to pull them off before they are ready to fall, or the underlying one will be bruised and discoloured.

The scales, like feathers, fade in colour. A yellow leg is pale, and looks much brighter when the new scales appear. Dark-legged birds are nearly alwas lighter, turning a scale colour after the moult. Care during the moult is of the utmost importance. The .quicker the birds moult the better. In order to induce it nothing is more serviceable than to allow the broody to sit. Fat birds moult slowly, and therefore reduct the ration and confine them in warm, sheltered quarters. All that is necessary for healthy birds is

to give them lukewarm food once a day, sound grain, and green stuff.