POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XVIII, Issue 5, 20 May 1919, Page 302

POULTRY-KEEPING.

By

F. C. BROWN,

Chief Poultry Instructor.

June is generally an easy month on the poultry-farm, but nevertheless there are several important things which should now be attended to. Perhaps the most important is to see that the pullets are specially cared for, in order that they may produce their maximum egg-yield while high prices rule for this product. The first essential in this respect is to see that the birds are well housed and are provided with ample room to exercise under cover when unfavourable weather conditions prevail. The floor . of the house should be covered with litter in which the grain foods should be scattered. This will induce the birds to exercise- in searching for the grain—an essential to good health and vigour. Having the birds confined and under such favourable conditions will not only tend to promote egg-laying, but will be an assurance that the eggs can be gathered in a clean condition. Hand-in-hand with good housing should go regular and liberal feeding. Only the best grain materials available should be used, while the mash should be made as appetizing as possible by moistening it with meat, soup, milk, or hot water. Further, to secure a maximum egg-yield at this period of the year, animal food, such as boiled meat, meat-meal, or milk albumen, must be provided, Green food must also be liberally fed, while crushed sea-shell, gravel, grit, and clean water should be always in reach of the birds.

Special attention to cleanliness and the prevention of insect pests is imperative for the maintenance of a healthy flock. The quarters should be frequently cleaned and sprayed with a good disinfectant or limewash. Especially must the nests be kept in a thorough sanitary state to ensure that they are free from vermin. Neglect to attend to this detail is a common cause of hens laying their eggs in the corners of the house, and laying away in hedges, &c., when provided with a free range. A kerosene-tin with the half of each end cut out makes a suitable nest, and is easily cleaned. When these are used, a good plan is to put in about 2 in. of clean sand before the nesting-material, such as hay, &c., is placed. The sand will prevent the latter from slipping when the hen enters or leaves the nest, thus lessening the risk of having broken . eggs and the hens acquiring the habit of egg-eating. When cleaning operations are taking place a good idea is to place the tin nests over a fire for a few seconds, as this will have the effect of ridding them of any vermin that may be present. The perches may be treated in a similar manner when red mite is present, and with the same desirable effect.

THE SURPLUS COCKERELS.

It should be unnecessary to again emphasize the importance of sending to market all surplus cockerels that are four and a half to five months old. It is never wise to keep a cockerel beyond that age, for if not marketed then it will be weeks, and even months, before it can be brought to prime condition, and then, although heavier than at the prime-chicken stage, the return will not be as profitable as if marketed earlier. Once the chicken stage has been passed the con-

sumption of food is increased, this being caused by the greater growth of plumage, bone, &c., necessary for the development of an adult bird. Obviously this process must be completed before the matured adult stage can be attained. This, however, is not the only drawback, for even if a fully developed cockerel is marketed in absolutely prime condition it does not appeal to the poulterer, to whom it is known as a “ stag.” The fact of it having a well-grown spur, sharp at the point, reduces its' value as a table bird. ' Such a bird is coarse and larger than is generally desired for the high-class trade. It is the flesh of a prime four- to five-months-old bird that is the most sought, and which commands the highest value.. •

BREEDING-PLANS.

It is now full time that the breeding operations were planned, especially in the case of the heavier breeds, such as Rocks, Orpingtons, and Wyandottes, as July and August, or early September at the latest, are the best months for hatching out the chicks of these breeds. Breeding-birds should be mated a few weeks in advance of the time that the eggs are required for hatching purposes. This will give them an opportunity of settling down, especially the male bird. Very often a vigorous male will exhaust itself at the outset, and it will be some weeks before it settles down and satisfactory fertilitv is obtained.

As to the number of hens to put with a male, this depends entirely on the vigour of the male, the range provided, and also the breed of the birds. - When breeding-stock have their liberty, good results may be obtained with one male to twenty or even more females, but when confined in a run the number must be considerably reduced. No hard-and-fast rule can be laid down in this respect, and the poultryman must use his own discretion and be guided by the number of. fertile eggs produced. As a general rule, when the birds are confined, and during the early season, six or eight hens of the heavier types are sufficient for one male. If the male is a vigorous one this number may be increased as the season advances. In the case of the lighter breeds, such as Leghorns and Minorcas, eight females may be mated to one male, and in the spring months up to twelve or even fifteen. Of course, when a high percentage of infertile eggs is produced it does not always follow that the male is overmated. Sometimes this is due to too few hens in the breeding-pen. When it is observed that the hens’ backs are becoming bare and the feathers worn off this indicates that the male is a vigorous one and that more hens are required. . '

In choosing birds for the breeding-pen, whether it be males or females, aim for points indicative of constitutional vigour, such as a bold fiery eye, bright-red comb, a clean face free from feathers and wrinkles, short shanks wide apart, tight glossy plumage, and activity in habit. In addition the birds should be of a good size of their breed, possess breed-points, and be good feeders. Of course, in speaking of breedpoints it may be safely said that there are few birds in any flock which have not got a fault. Therefore in mating up the breeding-stock it is essential to choose a male that is strong where the females are weak, or vice versa. Never breed from a pullet if it can be avoided, chiefly for the reason that on its appearance it may be selected as an

ideal breeding-bird, but when subjected to the test of a laying season it may not only prove to be a poor layer, but to possess a weak constitution as well. In such a case this would mean that the weak offspring would be hatched and probably half-reared before discovery of the mother's weakness. No female should be placed in the breeding-pen unless it has proved its value as a layer during its first season of production, and at the same time maintained constitutional vigour. Of course, early-hatched well-matured pullets that have been bred on proper lines, when mated with a second-year cock, may produce excellent progeny. The risk, however, of having a high percentage of weak ones is always there, as compared with using welltested hens. Never mate young pullets and cockerels together, as the progeny from such a union generally lacks constitutional vigour, while the females will usually lay undersized eggs. One little point that may be referred to in regard to male birds of the lighter breeds and which carry a heavy or falling-over comb and long wattles is the advisability of removing both the latter. The comb is often a burden for a bird to carry, while the wattles prevent it from picking up its grain, especially when fed in grass runs or deep litter. As a result its health and general condition become impaired, and consequently a high percentage of infertile eggs and weakly chicks follow. For a male bird to do the best service in the breeding-pen it must be maintained in its best possible form.

It is always advisable to give breeding-birds a good range, this being conducive to the maintenance of good health and vigour. Where they are kept in a confined space they should be induced to exercise as much as possible by making them scratch in litter for their grain food. On no account should breeding-birds be forced for egg-production. Rich foods, such as meat, &c., should be sparingly supplied. Good results as to both fertility and stock can be obtained from the feeding of mixed hard grain, such as wheat, maize, and oats, to the breeders night and morning. Breeding-birds require a liberal supply of green stuff, while ample fresh water and grit are details which must not be neglected.