POULTRY KEEPING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 121, 25 May 1938, Page 11

POULTRY KEEPING

LABOUR-SAVING IMPORTANT This last season has impressed more forcibly than at any other time the need for economies. In considering these, the first one is that of labour, and in this connexion system is of all importance. In fact, the first consideration where labour-saving Is th? object, is the arranging of each day’s work and avoiding, as far as possible, duplicated journeys. This planning ol work is not only a saving to the farmer, but is better for the stock, too. The first morning’s work of any importance is that of mixing the feed, and where this has to be done by hand the position of the mixing trough is all-important, as well as of the storage bins. There are many fee l sheds which could be improved by altering the position of stacks, bins, and troughs, and so result in a saving of muscle exertion. The usual method of mixing by hand is done in a trough half rounded for easy work, built in a wooden frame on legs. Some time ago I saw an improvement on this method. A large 43gallon drum was cut down and across the ends, making one part a little more than half. The cut edges were carefully turned over outwards, ana the trough bqilt on to a strong but light wooden frame and mounted on to an axle with two bicycle wheels. As soon as the mash was mixed it was wheeled out for feeding up. 11 such a drum is too small a similar trough but larger could be made oi 20-gauge iron sufficiently large for use on a particular farm. When the weather was wet a piece of waterproof covering was secured over the trough to prevent the mash becoming wet. By this arrangement there was in winter a very great advantage, which, at the time of making, was not taken into account. All know the bustle to get the feed distributed before it cools off too much, but with the trough on wheels and the cover used, there was practically no loss of heat, and the fowls received a good warm mash, which res a ,ed in a better winter egg yield. Eradication of Pests. R.ats and mice are costly boarders, and various means of eradicating them are adopted. Two good cats can do a lot, and if taught when kittens to make their home in the store at night they will nearly always be ready to be taken in when the time comes each night. By the way, one cat only will always show reluctance to occupying the shed. Many farmers keep a terrier dog in their feed sheds, which is just as good. Others, however, prefer building their sheds at an extra cost, on low concrete walls with thick concrete floors. Build up the floor well above ground level on broken bricks, tiles or rubble, if the floor is to be kept dry, and, in any case, never store bags on the floor. Make frames 15 to 18 inches high off the floor, so that cats and dogs are able to hunt out any stray rats which may obtain access when the door is open. Wooden floors, built up from the ground level, so that dogs can roam beneath, are also not uncommon, and are dry, which is most important. In feeding troughs and drinking vessels do not have any complications which impede quick cleaning. The plainer these are made the better. Ir there are projections and other gadgets which prevent cleaning, ana which result in mash and other things becoming caked in corners and under projections, the equipment is no use from a health point of view. Water troughs should be made so that they can be scrubbed out ana drained in the least possible time, ana always, where it can be arranged, with a drain to the outside of the she Where permanent water troughs are used they should be situated on a raised platform. Automatic watering devices have on many poultry farms been entirely abolished because of their becoming fouled and causing an ovedflow, resulting in wet floors. On many farms a standard is used and troughs arc filled therefrom. There are many ot these taps inside sheds used together with drains. The position of nests is also important, and much time can be saved if these are placed at the back of th? shed; away clear of the perches should be provided for easy access to them The nests <• iso should be of sufficient height from the floors to eliminate much stooping, and the birds like them better so. The greatest economic factor of all is the health of stock, and the easiesl way to bring this subject very forcibly under one’s notice is to make a charge against oneself for every bird whicn goes down with disease. A list kept of a 2s a bird charge may amont up at the end of the year to a surprising figure. It is not just a question of the amount a bird which is the sole loss: there is the potential egg production which is also lost—a much greatei amount. Every farmer has his problems which are particular to his own farm, . and when working about it is too often , a matter of attending to single items . and objects rather than considering ’ the question of economies as a whole, and then subdividing into parts. It is only when a studied consideration ot the whole plan, system, and general management is made that the greatest saving can be brought about. Egg-laying Test. The current contest at Papanui commenced early in April, and already most of the birds are showing good ■ egg scores. Last Saturday the clue | held its annual social and prize-giving

j and the scores recorded by the suc- ! cessful competitors would convince I even the most pessimistic that stock in Canterbury and Otago can hold its own with the best. The caretaker at Papanui has a most tedious job, and ii scores are any indication of the cart • and attention given to the birds, the caretaker deserves lull marks. Four hundred birds, all .single penned, take a good deal of looking after. The careful weighing of the eggs and the records of the weights is in itself a job. The club is doing excellent work for the industry, a*id it certainly deserves the full support of the Department of Agriculture. In certain other countries governments assume the full financial anri administrative responsibilities of egglaying competitions and there is a welcome tendency today to give greater recognition to birds which, in addition to proving good producers, also excei in type. After all if breeders ami for egg production alone and neglect type it will only be a matter of time when production as well as type is impaired. Facilities for testing a greater number of birds at low uniform fee fo» * each bird would doubtless enable poul-try-keepers to have sufficient birds tested to provide a breeding pen when the contest is over. If, for instance, the fee for each bird was reduced at 3s 6d, it would be well worth while for a breeder to enter 20 or 30 pullet*. The difficulty under this proposal would, of course, be the provision ot accomodation for the increased number of birds entered. In other countries the government is attending to this. | Surely the poultry industry in New i Zealand is of sufficient value to justij fy the Government vn lertaking this ' responsibility.