FARMERS' SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 8

FARMERS' SCHOOL.

POULTRY RAISING. HOW TO MAKE FOWLS PAY. At Ihe Farmers' School yesterday Mr Jarrctt, the Government expert, gave an interesting address on poultry raising. The lecturer emphasised in his opening remarks that it should be the aim of poultry-keepers to get the best possible results from their birds, and this conld only be done by giving attention lo (he choice, "of birds anil care in their keep; etc. Poultry keeping could be easily marie -j. very profitable side-line to farmers, especially those working on small holdings, and could be well combined with other branches of farming such as marketgardening and beekeeping. The farmer could give his birds plenty of range, while his surplus vegetables and root crops, or possibly skim-milk, could bo utilised in reducing the cost of feeding. Where fruit is grown the birds could range among the trees at certain times of ihe year with benefit to both. The most essential thing to make poultry pay was to keep the correct type of bird, provide proper quarters, and not to let them roost anywhere and lay their eggs in hedges. A good range for fowls was most necessary, hut if winter eggs were the object the birds must be comfortable in cold and wet weather, and this i could only be done by supplying them with good roomy quarters. Houses and Runs. The question of housing was most important, and good houses could be easily built. A deep lean-to bouse with front partly open was most effeotive, as it faced north the sun could shine right into the house and the fowls would be able to get the benefit of same, and do their scratching for food inside the house in clean gravel or light earth. Breeding. The matter of strain played a most important part in breeding. White Leghorns were certainly popular egg producers, and there were good reasons why Ihe farmer should keep the heavier birds if he could procure t!<osc of an undoubted laying strain. The Black Orpinglons would very likely not lay as many eggs as Ihe While Leghorns, but they would most likely lay more eggs in the dear season than Ihe others. Poultry keepers should not attempt to keep half-a-dozen breeds of fowls, as they requqired separate runs. One or two breeds at Ihe most were sufficient. 11 was advisable lo keep selfcoloured breeds, black or while, or at any rale birds that were bred easily lo colour, while never losing sight of j egg production.