MANAGEMENT OF GROWING PULLETS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18247, 7 February 1931, Page 22 (Supplement)

MANAGEMENT OF GROWING PULLETS.

The time is now opportune to again emphasise the importance of feeding and managing the growing pullets to the best advantage (says Mr F. G. Brown, chief Government poultry exi part). The object should be to keep them steadily growing and not force them to _ maturity. Some poultrykeepers imagine that by forcing pullets to an early laying-point they will be more profitable than if allowed to reach a complete stage of development before the egg-production period commences. This is a mistake. The precocious pullets will certainly give an earlier return, but in the lung run they are hardly likely to prove highly profitable stock. At the time when eggs are returning better prices they will probably go into a moult, while the naturally developed birds which commence egg-production about April, when at least six months old, will lay right through the season without moulting if properly handled. In addition to being,a more satisfactory egg-producer the well-deve-loped bird is also vastly superior for the breeding-pen. 'Constitutional vigour is one of the greatest fundamental requirements in breeding heavy-producing stock, and there is no l better method of promoting this than by allowing the growing bird to develop in the most natural way possible. Where it is found that pullets are developing prematurely their diet should be changed for a plainer one. This implies spare feeding of meat, milk, etc. The danger of the highforcing diet is especially great when substitutes such as meat-meal are employed in the mash, for the bird, if she is to get a full meal, is compelled to eat more of the concentrate Ilian her nature demands. Above all one should not overlook the provision of an abundance of green material at this period of the year. Control of Vermin. At no other time will vermin multiply at a greater rate than during the warmer months of the year, and to keep these parasites in check continual vigilance is imperative. Apart from the direct evidence of the illeffects of vermin on feathered stock, says the Chief Government Poultry Expert (Mr F. C. Brown), the fact should be obvious that young stock can hardly be expected to develop satisfactorily if they are not maintained in comfort, and under conditions which make Hie least drain on their energy . Another point for consideration is that when these pests are numerous a bird cannot make the best use of the food it eats, and 'it will therefore pay well in these days of high-priced foodstuffs to continually fight vermin.