POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 20 February 1928, Page 128

POULTRY-KEEPING.

CULLING. The coming month marks an important period in the poultry-keeping year. It is then that the culling of undesirable stock should be carried, out. Having regard to the high prices now ruling for wheat and other foodstuffs, there should be no delay in weeding out all birds of the

drone type which give signs of not being future profit-makers. It will seldom pay to keep a bird for a third laying season unless, of course, it is known to be a noted layer of standard-weight eggs (2 oz.), and at the same time possesses strong points indicative of breeding-power. Not only should the birds that are terminating their second laying season be heavily culled, but the first season’s layers also should be carefully gone through, as many of these may usually be removed with distinct advantage.

The rule has already been stated in these notes that the early moulting bird is the first one to cull. As is the case, however, with most rules pertaining to the management of poultry, this one is not capable of universal application. The fact of a bird moulting early is not always an indication that it has passed its profitable period of production. A premature moult is often the result of a sudden change of food, or failure to provide a palatable diet and sufficient of it—a factor essential to heavy egg-production at this period of the year. Individual birds may also be forced into a premature moult by being allowed to sit on the nest for days and weeks at a time in a state of broodiness. In such circumstances the early-moulting rule is of little value. The same may be said where first-, second-, and third-year layers are allowed to run together, and the common mistake made of neglecting to have the birds specially marked as a guide to age determination. In such cases it will usually be found that the first-season layer moults first, especially when hatched in the early season, and where the older- birds have been maintained on the plant merely because they were late moulters. It will thus be seen that efficient culling can only be carried out where the whole of the local circumstances are closely observed and taken fully into account when the work of classifying the stock is taking place. Of course, on well-managed plants, and where the owner has a trained eye, he can tell with a great degree of certainty (by certain signs in combination with the moulting-period) the hens that have laid well and that are likely to lay well in the future. This enables him to weed out the low producers and thereby keep only profitable stock. All things being equal in regard to the time of hatching, and where the birds have received a uniform class of food and attention, the good layer and the one which possesses strong constitutional vigour will usually, in addition to being a late moulter, present the following desirable signs : Face large and free from feathers (it is not uncommon for the head to become quite barea sign seldom or never found in a low producer); a bold, bright eye ; close feathering; a bright red comb (which should be retained more or less throughout the moultingperiod) ; well-developed crop ; and an alert, vigorous appearance. In yellow-skinned breeds such as Leghorns, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, &c., the legs as well as the beak of the good layers will mostly exhibit at this period of the year a bleached or even a white appearance. It must be noted that this sign only applies towards the end of the bird’s productive period, for after it has moulted the legs will regain their yellow appearance as in the early pullet stage. The heavy layer will also have a more or less shabby appearance and a lean condition. On the contrary, the poor layers and others which should be culled are those that are moulting, those with bright yellow legs, those

above the normal weight of their breed, those with feathered face and dull eye, and any which show the slightest weakness in constitution.

SELECTION OF THE BREEDING - HENS. After the weak types have been weeded out, the remaining birds should be carefully gone through and the best specimens selected for the breeding-pens next season. It is important that this work be carried out before the birds moult, as even with the best layers the points outlined as indicative of producing power- and constitutional vigour will rapidly vanish as the moulting process advances ; furthermore, these points will not stand out prominently again for several months later. In selecting prospective breeding-hens laying and constitutional points should be given first consideration, but these should be combined with good size of body and breed typethat is to say, if desirable utility characters are to be maintained. However well a bird may lay, it should not be bred from if it is an undersized specimen of its breed, or one which is practically devoid of standard breedrequirements. When the best breeding specimens have been chosen they should be specially marked and kept by themselves, preferably on a free range. Then by providing a plain ration the birds will be discouraged from laying. This will give them an opportunity to recoup and get into a condition to produce early spring eggs, and at the same time retain strong breeding-power. The fact cannot be emphasized too strongly that the greater the demand made on a bird for egg-yield the greater the care that must be exercised not to impair its vigour in the process. It stands to reason that when every egg is forced out of the late moulter and intended breeder everything is against vigorous progeny being produced. Constitution is the base of all successful breeding operations. COLDS AMONG THE STOCK. Usually at this time of year many birds contract colds, especially the young stock which have been hatched late. Therefore a careful watch must be kept in order to detect any of the birds showing the first symptoms, such as sneezing, running at the nostrils, or eyes watering. If any of these symptoms are observed the affected birds should be isolated at once, and an endeavour made to find the cause and have it removed. It is next to useless trying to stamp out colds by curative methods unless the cause is first discovered . and removed.

Draughty houses are no doubt the most common cause of colds. If there are cracks in the sides or back wall, and the birds are compelled to sleep in a draught, colds are simply invited. In this connection, and where long houses are in use, the necessity of having the partitions, especially near by the roosts, absolutely draught-proof cannot be too strongly urged. Colds may also be brought about by illventilated, damp, or overcrowded quarters. If trouble is to be prevented these and other such weaknesses should be corrected at the earliest possible time. It must, be remembered that colds are the forerunner of roup, and if this once obtains a foothold there is no telling when it is going to be stamped out.

—F. C. Brown,

Chief Poultry Instructor, Wellington.