Notes for the Poultry Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 62, Issue 5, 15 May 1941, Page 364

Notes for the Poultry Farmer

;■■■•■>« By

F. C. BOBBY,

1 Superintendent of Poultry , = i Husbandry, Wellington. i “t 11111111111111111111111111111111111 111 n 111 Hl mull I 111 mm tn tin l»l“

Contributed by Officers ——— of the Livestock Division

"BAD EGGS"

Investigations Show Need For Preventing Shortage Of

Green Feed Next Summer

NUMEROUS complaints were made by consumers last January of what were termed “bad eggs.” Considerable comment appeared in the daily Press in centres as widely separated as Auckland and Dunedin, and in view of this outcry the New Zealand Poultry Board asked for help from the Department of Agriculture in the form of an investigation into the matter. An investigation of a preliminary nature was accordingly made, and some interesting data obtained. The first fact ascertained was. that the whites of the so-called “bad eggs” were thin or watery, while their yolks collapsed and ran into the whites when broken for poaching or other cooking purposes. There was evidence to indicate that the majority of these eggs arrived in a fresh state on the merchants’ floors, but deteriorated rapidly when passed forward for retail sales. Inquiries indicated that this state of affairs existed in at least three out of the four main egg marketing centres. Further investigations revealed that merchants were of the opinion that most of the trouble came from particular lines of eggs, that is, 'from certain producers only. This suggestion was followed up, and farms about which both good and bad reports were received were visited in the North and South Islands, During these visits a careful note was made of the class of stock kept and the general management in force. Collectively, it was this information which proved to be of considerable interest as a preliminary inquiry into this problem.

Marketing Conditions The influence of marketing conditions at the time as a factor in the problem was not lost sight of, and there was some evidence of delays in deliveries because of the holiday season. Because of the hot weather prevailing at this time, some eggs probably deteriorated as the result of these delays. Against this possibility must be set the fact that certain lines of eggs were definitely established as being poorer in quality than the remainder. In other words, eggs from certain producers deteriorated, more rapidly than the remainder when held up in marketing channels. / It will be agreed that it should be the object of every poultryman not only to place large quantities of eggs on the market, but also eggs of the highest quality. Good quality eggs will stand" up more easily to the strain placed upon their quality by slow marketing in hot weather, which must occur from time to time however efficient the general marketing scheme may be. By January, pullets have been in lay for some seven or eight months. While their eggs during the first four to five months of laying are usually of good quality, those produced later often tend to deteriorate in quality. The

natural reserves in the bodies of these birds have been drawn on heavily by a high and rapid output of eggs over a long period. It is logical, therefore, to assume that unless these birds receive good management and correct feeding there will be nothing to replace these natural reserves, and egg quality may suffer accordingly. The problem of poor quality eggs from pullets as the season advances is common to both Great Britain and the United States of America. Research work indicates that feeding has only a small bearing upon this matter and that the strain of bird is the main factor. Undoubtedly this is the case where correct feeding is under consideration, but/ there is .evidence to, show that exceptional circumstances in feeding and in the season will also play their part. • Shortage of Green Feed Investigations in New Zealand this year, although only of a preliminary character, appear to support the suggestion that feeding and season do influence egg quality. A number of farms reported as supplying poor quality eggs were visited, and in all cases, except one, inquiries at these farms revealed that green feed had been short because of the dry summer, and that the owners were not supplying any minerals in their laying mash. Furthermore, eggs were examined by candling at these farms and the egg shells proved to be of poor texture. These shells were frequently porous and brittle. Conversely, on three large farms in widely separated , districts about which good reports had been received, it was found that ample green food was available, and, in addition, minerals such as oyster shell and ground lime were being fed in the mash in satisfactory quantities. In view of the data collected during this preliminary investigation poultrymen are reminded now of the necessity for providing their farms with green

crops for use next summer. At a suitable date’ early next summer a further appeal will be. made for the use of this green food in conjunction with sound rations as a precaution against the recurrence of “bad eggs” in January of next year. Such an appeal will be useless unless poultrymen have looked ahead and planted crops beforehand.

An article upon the cultivation of green food and its uses has been specially written for this issue of the “Journal,” and all poultrymen reading these poultry notes are urgently requested to give this matter their serious consideration. Eggs for the table are the primary product of the poultry industry, and

everything possible must be done , to persuade the public to consume more eggs. Any neglect upon the part of poultrymen which directly or indirectly leads to a lowering of the quality of eggs placed before the public may tend to reduce consumption. This is a definite disservice to the industry.

NO poultry farm is complete without an area under .cultivation for ample supplies of succulent green material. The green food patch is of paramount importance for every poultrykeeper unless other sources of supplies of green food, such as watercress, lawn clippings, and suitable vegetable tops, are available in the district at a nominal cost or just for the labour involved in collecting them. While it is important that this food should be in abundant supply, it is also imperative that it be of such quality that it will be readily consumed and relished by the birds, either when fed separately or incorporated

Production of Green Food

with other foods given in their daily ration. ■ It is questionable whether the true value of a plentiful supply of succulent green food is sufficiently realised, for on many places fowls get only what they can pick up in the pens or fields. This is .not enough, and where poultry are kept in limited areas, the ground quickly becomes tainted and stale, with the result that the quality of the green food available is of little value from a feeding point of view. On some farms one sees no great attempt to cultivate the soil for growing suitable supplies of green food.

Economical and Health- Food Abundant supplies of green food not only make for economical production, but they are essential for the maintenance of the good health of the birds. Now that grains and meals are at high price levels and are also difficult to obtain regularly, it will pay well to feed green food and suitable root crops with a liberal hand. The young leaves of growing plants and blades of grasses are a most valuable food for poultry because of their natural juices, and when fed in regular supply they assist Nature in imparting fresh life to the

birds. They also prevent troubles caused by the confinement of poultry to limited areas. .

The necessity for regular feeding of green food to young growing stock cannot be too strongly advocated. They always make - the best growth when they do not receive a setback of any kind, and often the worst check of their healthy development may be . caused through the lack of green food during the growing, stages. While green food materially assists in reducing the , cost of feeding, therefore, it also maintains the good health of the fowls, building up their vigour and resistance to disease. ' Effect on Quality O f Eggs Complaints are frequently made by consumers about the paleness in the colour of the yolks. This is generally due to the birds not receiving sufficient and regular supplies of goodquality green food, which particularly applies where poultry are kept under intensive methods of housing. Green food is also of considerable importance to breeding stock, and its value is reflected in the embryo development of chicks and the production of chickens with strong vitality, so that no poultrykeeper can afford to neglect the vital importance of seeing that his flock is supplied regularly with a good variety of succulent green food. Producing Green Foods Suitable green materials can be obtained from various sources on the farm. Firstly, there ,’ are permanent green food areas which can be laid down, including lawns and lucerne, clover or watercress patches, which supply large quantities of good green food over the greater part of the year. Secondly, there are seasonable green materials which are best planted at certain times of the year, and, if given good average cultivation and' general care, will supply abundant quantities of " very good green stuff . for ' many months. In this case, it will be necessary to replant each season at suitable times for the best growth in the district concerned. These crops are silver beet, 1 Chinese or mustard cabbage, or those of the cabbage family, such as rape, kale, and chou moellier.

Thirdly, a particularly good method of producing large quantities of succulent green food is by catch crops which can be planted almost at any time of,the year or sown down at certain seasons most suitable for their quick growth. The best for this purpose are oats, cape barley, Japanese millet, maize, and garden vegetable plants, such as lettuce and cabbages.

With all these sources, there is. little reason for poultrykeepers to be short of green foods at any time of the year in this'country. However, it is generally realised that ; the cold winter months are the worst season for obtaining regular supplies. Preparation for this period can be made by plant- ' ing in the cultivated areas at suitable times a plentiful supply of root crops, such as carrots, beet, mangolds, swede turnips, and onions, as well as those vegetables of the gourd family, such as marrows and pumpkins. All these can be- used most successfully at the time of the year when green foods are in short supply. Feeding Green Food ' Almost any vegetable top is suitable for feeding, but the leaves must be fresh, crisp, and as tender as possible. Coarse, dry, stringy 'green food contains too much , fibre, and often causes impaction of the gizzard or crop binding of the birds. Variety is valuable, as some green foods contain different feeding values from others, but at is important that no sudden changes of green food are given when the birds . are doing well. The best method is to introduce the change a little at a time until the birds have become accustomed to it. Many cases of troubles being caused in this way have come under out notice. In one particular instance a sudden change was made in January from succulent green . lucerne to hard-hearted yellow cabbage for a large flock of good-laying White Leghorns. The result was disastrous; mot only were digestive troubles set up, but the great majority of the birds were forced into an early moult, causing considerable financial loss. Green food in the form of leaves can be hung up in Punches in the . houses or . placed in wire-netting baskets or green-food racks about 12 inches from the floor, but should never be thrown on the ground for feeding purposes. If the feed can be cut up finely, so much the better, as the birds will always eat more when the green food is chaffed to a reasonable size. Where moist mash is fed, at least one-third of the bulk can be good green food prepared in this way. In fact, the writer has known up to 45 per cent, of the bulk to be included in the mixture and fed to the poultry with excellent results. In using the greed food in the mash, the best method is to mix the green chaffed food with the dry meals overnight and then cover with a sack until morning. The liquid is then mixed . with it until the mash food is in a dry, crumbly condition. This method allows the meals to absorb some of the flavour of the green food, making the

; mash very palatable to the birds, while c the amount of liquid used for mixing • is not nearly so much as when the - foods are all mixed fresh at the one • time. Even when green food is fed ■ in this way, it is a good plan to give i a little extra fresh-cut green food to • the fowls in the latter part, of the • afternoon. This acts as Nature’s tonic. , If a study of poultry habits is made r with birds on free range,' it will be ■ observed that 'even after the fowls have eaten up their evening grain ■ diet, they will roam some considerable distance from the house in the search for young tender blades of grass, and it is always wise to follow Nature’s methods. Root crops are best sliced in half and placed on spikes on the lower parts of the walls of the house, but well clear of any dirty litter on the floors. This keeps the flesh of the vegetable as clean as possible, and once accustomed to them, the birds will hollow them out to the skin. Permanent Green Foods Freshly-cut lawn clippings make excellent green food, and if they come from good grass pastures which have been well topdressed it is doubtful whether greater feeding value can be obtained off any given area of land. At the same time, this method of obx taining green food lends itself to keeping the grounds of the home and entrance to the farm in a pleasing order, and supplies abundant quantities of suitable green material during the - spring and autumn months. In laying down, a lucerne patch care should be taken to prepare the ground thoroughly before planting. Regular cultivation of the soil during the spring months will destroy most of the spring weeds. For poultry farm work, ■ planting the seed about the end of November and sowing it in drills about 15 to 18 inches apart will prove better than broadcasting, as it allows for weeding. , Once established, the lucerne is not hard to keep in order, and the quantity , of food produced will amply repay the trouble. , Watercress is one of the best green foods for poultry. It contains a good deal of iron, is always succulent, and appears to act as a great tonic to the birds. Like Chinese cabbage, mustard, and cress, it is hot to the taste. This causes the flow of greater quantities of saliva in the mouth, thus aiding the digestion of the foods eaten. Seasonable Crops Probably the best seasonable crop • is silver beet, which is excellent for poultry. It is a heavy cropper, and is not subject to attacks by insect pests,

as are many other plants. Sow the seed in the spring, and transplant early ;in December. With a reasonable season and average cultivation, one is assured of a plentiful supply of young, succulent leaves in the early autumn. . Where insects attacking cabbages are not troublesome chou moellier, kale, and rape can be grown. A useful method is to grow them in the poultry runs, and not only will this help to clean the ground, but if the birds are not allowed on the runs until the plants are well developed, they can then pick at the leaves without doing a' great deal of damage to the plants. It will thus afford shade as well as green food during the summer months. Catch Crops In addition to the crops which are grown in the cultivated area of green food patch, both oats and barley are most useful. They can be planted in the poultry runs in the early autumn, when on many farms the young pullets are being housed for winter egg production. The growing of oats or barley mixed with grass in these runs is highly desirable. Two or three cuttings of these cereals can be taken off the. areas during the winter months, providing a very useful adjunct to the green food supply. When the spring arrives and it is time to allow the birds out again, the runs are renewed in fresh green pasture. • In conclusion, the production 'of abundant supplies of green material lends itself to better management of poultry.' Not only does it make for the production of better quality eggs and stock, but, if carried out on sound lines, it will go a long way towards keeping the plant in good order, preventing the ground; from becoming tainted, and the fowls from becoming sick.

—E. C. JARRETT,

Poultry

Instructor, Auckland.