POULTRY NOTES

Waipa Post, Volume 52, Issue 3705, 10 January 1936, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES

THE BREEDING HEN. Breeding hens at , this time of the year require rather special attention. They may quite easily be spoilt, get out of condition during the moult, or, through careless feeding of grain, become over-fat and lazy. Breeders should receive rather special attention just now. Too often the poultry farmer spends too much time with the pullets in his eagerness to get plenty of winter eggs and rather neglects the hens just because they are not laying many eggs at the moment. This is rather a shortsighted policy as the future of his farm depends so very much on producing good chicks, and he will not be able to do this unless his breeders are in first class condition. The majority will be resting now and they must be kept in proper condition so that they are ready to produce good eggs for hatching. Moulting hens require a good supply of protein in their rations as feathers are to grow through quickly. As long as the hens are moulting and until eggs are required for hatching, the feeding should be as follows: Dry mash hoppers open all day and a very little grain (about 1-ioz per bird) scattered in the clean litter or, if litter is dirty, out on the fresh grass. About 1 hour before dark feed another S-loz of grain per bird. As soon as eggs are required, feed wet mash at mid-day, and increase the grain at night to as much as they will clean up (up to lioz per bird). A fortnight of this extra feeding will produce the desired result in good birds. Feed cabbage, kale, etc., in the morning; up to lOoz per bird per day. Do not forget plenty of oyster-shell, or limestone grit. _ ; If you have fresh or sour skim, or whole milk, feed it to the breeders and watch the results—good, large, hatchable eggs. Finally remember that only very fit should be used as breeders. You are laying up trouble for yourself in both hatching and rearing if you try to breed from any doubtful birds. The most important thing you could do at this time would be to cull your breeders again. Even if you did it a couple of months ago, do it again. If you want a good hatching season and carefree rearing, look to your breeders. Keep them clean and free from insects. , . . Give them warm, comfortable houses. Feed them well. Cull them frequently.