POULTRY NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 15

POULTRY NOTES

PULLETS NEAR LAYING Poultry keepers who literally accept the doctrine that light breeds begin to lay at five to six months and heavy breeds at six to seven months, often pass through an anxious period when their pullets appear to be on the verge of laying without ever coming to the point. Although, generally speaking, pullets can be expected, under normal conditions to commence laying around this age, there are a good many outside fluences which have retarding effects. It is not uncommon to hear of heavy breeds which did not begin to lay until they were eight to nine months old. Other influences affecting development are breed, strain, date of hatching as well as housing and feeding. Late Maturity Lateness in maturing, when it is not caused by faulty management or illhealth among the birds is no detriment, since it will be found in most cases that the birds will continue to produce until late into the year before moulting. On the other hand, of course, late maturity due to bad body conditions or faulty management, means that the owner has lost one or two months’ eggs as well as having impaired the future productivity of his stock. While the best course to follow with growing pullets is one of natural development, this must not mean that the birds are ill-nourished. A good grass range, with liberal grain feed and a growers’ mash that will supply all the needs of development, without being too rich, is to be recommended. Another consideration with regard to possible checks is to get the birds settled into their laying quarters by the time they are five monhs old.

Approaching Production

As the reproductive organs develop, the comb and wattles will grow and redden up. This is one of the first five signs of approaching production. A second noticeable when handling the birds, is the gradual opening of the pelvic bones. It will also be observed that the birds “sing” almost continuously.

At this stage nest boxes should be opened up and made comfortable with a layer of straw or hay. This will prevent the birds seeking nests in hedgerows, etc., a habit which, once started, is very difficult to break. It is also unwise to attempt to force or hurry on development, as such a course invariably leads to stunted birds with reduced stamina, which naturally produce small eggs.