POULTRY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 22 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES.

EARLY HATCHING. To secure best results from the heavy breeds it is necessary to hatch these during August and September. For the lighter breeds a month later will be ample to ensure good results. August and September are two of the best months for hatching out chicks of the heavier breeds, such as Barred Rocks, Sussex, Orpingtons or ILL Reds, and no time should be lost during this and next month in securing the full complement of chicks required of these breeds. In the case of the lighter breeds —Leghorns, Minorcas, Australs, Wyandottes and Hamburghs—September and October are the best months to hatch. This advice, of course, is only intended for breeders who are operating on a small scale. The big breeder must necessarily extend the time of his hatching season in order to secure his desired number of birds, unless, of course, he lias -a large amount of incubator and brooder capacity.

When hatching chickens, the object should lie to have the pullets -commencing to lay at the beginning of tiie dear egg season—say, April or May. The great drawback in having the pullets batched out 100 early is that ilioy usually go into a moult just at the time when winter eggs arc expected. This is tiie main reason why the light breeds, as enumerated above, should not bo hatched earlier than September or October, and even into November. Once tiie early hatched pullets go into a moult it takes a full DO -days or three months to get through it.

While August and September are ihc best months to hatch out - the heavy breeds, it should lie remembered that it is always better to have die chicks hatched out a little too early, than a little too late in the season. There arc no chickens that do so well as those lhal attain a fair stage of development as tile days are lengthening. It. stands to reason that very young '-■chickens having to contend against the Hot. trying summer weather conditions, to be followed by cold snaps often experienced, cannot possibly make the best growth. Therefore the wise breeder will see to it that all tiie chickens are hatched out not later than the end of October. Care of the Breeding Pen.

To secure best results, whether it he with incubators or the natural mother, the first essential is to know that the breeding birds are in the j best possible condition. Instances 1 could be slated where over and over ; again poor hatches and heavy losses j could aJI be traced to the use of underfed and debilitated breeding- i slock. Strong chicks imply strong ; germs and strong germs only com.c from vigorous parents. In the first, place the breeding-stock require ample i space, and the best way of providing i this is to give them as much free 1 range as possible. On no account must j breeding hens he. forced for egg pro- i duction. Rich foods such as meat or j its substitutes, should be fed spar- j ingly. In fact, when a good run is i provided better fertility and stronger j chicks will be produced if only whole 1 grain food be provided. Breeding : stock should be given a variety of food. Wheat, maize and oats fed on alternate days are ffuite suitable. Of course, green food is essential, and too much ’of it cannot he supplied, while grit, charcoal and clean water should always be before the birds.

Study of Stud Male’s Condition.

The condition of the male birds is often a common cause of infertile eggs being produced. It often happens that the males arc too attentive to the hens, and do not lake sufficient food for the maintenance of good health and vigour. Stud males should be frequently handled when on the roosts

at night and when a bird is found to be out of condition he should be fed at least once a day by himself, or, better still, be replaced by another. On all farms there should be breeding or stud males, in cases of accident or sickness taking place. Never breed from a male or female that, has apparently recovered from disease. If satisfactory results are to follow, none but the strongest specimens should he allowed to produce their kind. When old cocks are used their, spurs should be shortened, in order to prevent them injuring the backs and sides of the hens.