POULTRY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 24 April 1926, Page 23 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. E.G. (Hillcrest). — (1) Boiled apples and apple peelings mixed with fowl mash arc not generally used for feeding poultry, although it is not to say they would not be suitable.- However, if you have apples in abundance it would be a good idea to feed ■ some of them to the fowls, but do not overdo it, lest you cause diarrhoea amongst-the flock. (2) Other material but wood or coal ashes is equally good for use in the dusting box, fuller particulars of which you will find in another part of this column.

THE WINTER SHOW. The poultry section of the Waikato Winter Show's schedule has been considerably revised since 192-i, when poultry were last included in the exhibition. A good classification has been arranged, with" an excellent list of special prizes, and there is certainly no lack of inducement for poultry keepers to exhibit. The value of shows, not only to the industry, but to the individual poultry keeper, is too apparent for emphasis, for not only do they assist materially iu maintaining the desired breed type, but they provide an object lesson to novices as to what points should be looked for in a bird. A poultry keeper with birds entered in the show naturally takes a much keener interest in the placings than if he wore entirely disinterested, and in this way he begins himself to compare the exhibits, noting in what particular point or points the winner is superior to its defeated rivals. The only way to make oneself thoroughly conversant willi standard type is to intelligently follow the judge's awards, and this can only be done by taking a practical interest in the show. Entries for the forthcoming fixture close on May 8. THE DUST BATH. The dust bath is one of the most necessary things that go to make up a fowl's life. The box of dust in which they may wallow at will, and rid themselves of lice and mites is in reality a bath for them as much as is the water bath for the human race. Note in the summer how they will lie around in Lhe shade on a hot day, or on other days in any place where they can dig up lhe soil and then roll in the dust. They enjoy it, and it serves the one best purpose, that of keepng down the lice. Lice cannot exist in it, and when the birds fdl their feathers full of if. the lice must go out With the dust. It is nature's plan for keeping the lice in check. No remedies that we can use can take the place of the dust bath. Of course, we limewash the poultry houses, paint the roosts, nests, etc., with kerosene or other lice killers, and help to keep down the liceWe may also dust the fowls, but they can dust themselves with ordinary road dust, and make a better job of it if they are given the chance. There are several kinds of lice, and it is the body lice that the dust bath is effective against. The red mites, etc., have to be dealt with on other- lines. . If the hens get the dust bath outdoors in.fine weather, and it is good for them, then we must provide it indoors 'on wet days, or whenever they are confined to the houses. Hememmber that lice breed at all seasons—although not so rapidly in the cold weather, yet sufficiently so as to necessitate them being kept in check. A box, three feet square, or even smaller, if one's poultry house room is limited, or the number of fowls kept is small, and twelve or eighteen inches deep, will answer. This, filled about towthirds full of road dust, or finely sifted garden soil, will provide a fine place for them in which to make a bath, and If it can be placed in a position where the suii will shine on it, the hens will probably enjoy it on any day on which they are confined to the house. Dry, sifted soil, is thebest material for the bath, but where any difficulty is experienced in obtaining this, sifted wood ashes will be found a good substitute.

THE CROAD LANGSHAN. The Langshan as It is bred in this country, and in England by the friends of the ancient "Croad" type, is without question one of the handsomest as well as most useful breeds of domestic fowls, says "Croadile" in an exchange. " Lordly in stalion, with a poise and balance all its own, it has a broad, deep body, and wide standing straight legs, not "short and out of proportion to the rest of the bird, and not long and stilty as in the "modern" type, with beautiful head points and full spreading tail willi extraordinary development of sickles and coverts; and to complete the picture, with that beautiful iridescent sheen on the plumage which seems to be almost a breed characteristic of the Langshan. Lovers of the beautiful in nature may well say: "Here is very near perfection in symmetry, size, and colour." The Langshan is a wonderful hardy and vigorous race of fowls, with great power to withstand the rigours of the coldest climates, and the ability to grow and develop lustily with no coddling or fussing. Having been bred for unnuumbered generations in the cold northern hill country of China, they seem to be naturally fitted for the cold weather which accounts probably for their well known reputation of "lhe best winter layers."

As a tabic fowl the Langshan is unsurpassed., carrying an abundance of breast meat, and with very small bones for the size of the fowl, with flesh of a peculiarly fine texture, and with a curtain flavour, more like turkey than anything else. They make a table proposition very templing. Those who have stood by the Langshan through all the dark days are having Hie satisfaction now of seeing it come back into popularity, and Ibis through sheer inherent worth, and not as in other breeds that have in a measure taken its place in llio public eye of late through shrewd advertising ami unlimited printers' ink. Water will Hufl its level, and the Langshan is coming back into its own, as is evidenced by increased entries at the shows during the past year or two, and Ihe great volume of business done by Hie breeders. - JOTTINGS. Clear out all unnecessary cocks, both old and young. Oo over the hens anil spot, any that look past profitmaking. Hell these as boilers. Gel all fowl houses into good condition, ready for the winter. Use lav. Tell, and whitewash where required, and arrange for ventilation, so thai it can he regulated according to winter condition.

Too much mash feeding is a mis- | take when one is bringing up pullets. for laying. It makes quicker growth '. all right, and big birds, too; but the*' muscular system becomes flabby and , soft, and the birds grow softer feathers. Soft, fleshy birds arc the right kind for the tabic, but the lean, muscular pullet is lhe one to lay eggs. The scratching of grain out of litter pro- i vides plenty of exercise, and prevents the formation of of surplus flesh and fat. Also, too much meat is a mistake when bringing pullets on. It makes big combs and pushes the birds into lay a month or six weeks 100 soon, ' which means that the strain of laying is' shoved on to a miniature frame and development. The pullet which fills out harmoniously in every part and comes into lay at from six to nine months, according to breed, is the one that lasts and makes into a good strong hen worthy to produce stock. It is likely that to the pushing of pulletsinto 100 early lay, and the continuous breeding for years past from precocious slock, is one reason why the; compeillions arc unequal in results. ;