THE POULTRY YARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18019, 6 November 1920, Page 2

THE POULTRY YARD

UTILITY CHICKS. As there are a hundred poultry keepers just so are there a like number of methods for the rearing of the birds with which we expect to not alone get the return of our outlay but in addition thereto a good substantial profit. A glance over the country reveals to the vision thousands even millions of chirping youngsters, some for the show room, others for utility purposes. We have seen the chick reared to the age of six or eight weeks; success and failure have both played their part. The first has inspired us on to further and larger achievement, but what of the latter. Has it discouraged us? . Of course it has beeii a source of regret but the failure of this season should help us to study out the probable cause of that failure and profit thereby. After the age ot six weeks our attention is turned to the development of the birds that they may come into full maturity in their proper time, with vigor, stamina and value stamped on them. If temporary quarters are required they need not be expensive, the main thought being to house from inclement weather and afford plenty of fresh air. We believe in several small portable houses for the growing stock, only of sufficient size to accommodate for roosting, about twenty fowls. These can be portable, five feet by eight feet and four feet high in front and three in rear. Have front open in type protected by a wire screen for summer use, over this is a door hinged at top to protect from inclement weather. This coop is excellent for use as small breeding coop for twelve or fifteen fowls and can be used early in the year. Feeding the maturing pullet requires careful thought, just as does the feeding of growing children. Some breeds mature faster than others, the Mediterraneans mature in from five to six months, the American, English heavy breds and the Asiatics in from six to seven months. It is accordingly desirable that all of the fowls be in laying condition when winter settles down. Th e small poultryman often makes the mistake of believing that any kind of food fed in any sort of way will answer the requirement of the fowl in her work of jroducing the egg. She must however, have a supply of the necessary substances to compose an egg. We learn that albumen forms fourteen of the twenty-six per cent of solids in the egg, consequently foods rich in albuminoids must be fed; these are meat meal, linseed meal, green cut bone, beef scrap and milk. Ot these the most easily obtained by the small poultry keeper is beef scrap; this should be free from tankage. The mineral elements to be found in eggs is contained in nearly all foods; oats have the largest percentage, barley, buck-wheat, wheat and corn follow: bran, clover hay, linseed meal and buttermilk are also rich if this element. The necessary (oil and fatty matter is found in the starchy foods, especially corn, wheat, muckwheat, barley and vegetables. Of the vegetables, potatoes are the least desirable. With the pullets in their third month we adjust what we have learned regarding the composition of an egg to our feeding systems also giving thought to the requirements of the growing body and the strengthening of the egg organs. For these combined purposes of developing feed of hard grains will be found excellent. Any size qualitites may be mixed in proportion to these amounts: Of cracked corn, use 50 pounds; wheat 35 pounds; No. 1 quality oats 25 pounds; millet,, 3 pounds and buckwheat 1 pound. Mix this feeding one quart to every thirteen fowls morning, and two thirds ration at evening. Prepare a dry 'mash, composed of 50 pounds bran, 25 pounds corn meal, 25 pounds middlings, 25 pounds beef scrap, and 1 8 pounds linseed meal. The feed for the fourth and fifth month is the same except that the linseed meal is left out on the fourth and resumed ;on the fifth. In the meantime raise plenty of cabbages, mangels, carrots and corn, if you have room,'as they will be needed and will greatly reduce the feed bills during the long winter, months.