POULTRY KEEPING

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 71, Issue 1, 16 July 1945, Page 85

POULTRY KEEPING

Feeding and the Feed Shortage

WITH the approach of the rearing season and with no prospects of having the normal range of foodstuffs from which to select or mix up chicken mashes, poultry farmers are giving serious thought now to this year’s feeding programme. Two major problems have to be considered: what meals will be available and will the quantity of these be . sufficient to carry through the normal rearing of replacements for the farm. Unfortunately it is not possible . to offer a complete solution to either of these problems, but the situation may be examined and certain alternatives discussed. The first and important fact to be faced is that there is little likelihood of any additional supplies of pollard and bran being made available during the rearing season. Some producers have been fortunate enough to. be able to store even a limited quantity .of pollard and bran against the rearing season requirements; others who have not been so fortunate have indeed a problem ahead of them, unless they have purchased alternative foods or are lucky enough to get some increases in supplies during the coming critical period. Severe Culling It is obvious that, if additional foods are not available, or there are no reserves to draw on, laying stock must be , severely culled throughout the rearing season. Every low or non-producing bird sold off the farm means more food for the young growing stock. Unfortunately, on some farms it will probably be necessary to dispose of the older breeding stock immediately the breeding season is completed. This will mean an immediate financial loss to the poultry farmer and a decreased number of eggs available to the public. Although the selling off of birds in lay is to be deprecated, it is preferable to raise a normal number of replacement pullets for next laying season.

Any serious reduction in the number of pullets raised must cause a serious , financial loss during - next winter, when egg prices are high, and perhaps even more important is the fact that a reduction in the pullet flock next season must result in a reduced number of breeding stock in the subsequent year, unless the standard of breeder retained is lowered

or resort is made to breeding from pullets. Both alternatives are a retrograde step, and could result in serious repercussions on the farm for several years. It is always easier to slip back in quality of stock than to build up quality. The hard facts are that food will not be more plentiful this year, and that what is available must be fed to the very best advantage. No bird about which there is a doubt as to the economic value should be retained on the farm one day longer than absolutely necessary. Adequate Supplies The only comfort to be offered is that successful steps have been taken to ensure an adequate supply of wheat for all poultry fanners. Any temporary shortage will be due to shipping difficulties, which unfortunately cannot be entirely obviated, and adequate supplies are anticipated from August onwards. Poultry farmers are reminded that the soaked wheat method of feeding poultry is satisfactory when carried out correctly. It offers a means ' of conserving pollard and bran, although the latter is used to the extent of 8 to. 10 per cent, to dry off the soaked wheat. Full details of soaked grain! feeding may be obtained from Poultry Instructors or on application to the Department of Agriculture, Box 3004, Wellington. Poultry producers should receive adequate supplies of wheat and restricted quantities of pollard and bran. The latter may be considerably augmented by gristing a part of the wheat supply into wheatmeal, usually referred to as “stockmeal” when imported from Australia. That adequate supplies, or even limited supplies of maize or maizemeal will not be avails able to many poultry keepers during the rearing season is a serious loss to the industry. Unfortunately there is no direct or adequate substitute for maize available at present. Consequently rations must be constructed without this valuable foodstuff. In fact, apart from oats and peameal in certain districts, there are no straight meals to which the producer may turn to 1 augment the reduced supplies of normal poultry foodstuffs, if homegrown barley and maize be excepted.

Many waste products of the seed industry which are normally unwanted have been purchased and will be used to bulk ready-made mixtures. These will not necessarily be injurious

to poultry, but have not the feeding value of poultry food in use in normal times.

Difficulties were experienced last year in obtaining adequate supplies of meatmeal for the poultry industry. Poultry farmers in some districts were sometimes unable ,to obtain , r even limited supplies. The position ’should be improved this year by the cancelling of export licences for livermeal, thereby forcing this valuable protein concentrate on to the local market. Unfortunately the export price of livermeal was well above a level at which it could be purchased by poultry producers. It is likely,therefore, that some of this livermeal will be incorporated with meatmeal, while special products containing livermeal may be offered to poultry producers. These are likely to be at a higher price than 'ordinary standard meatmeals, but the comparatively small quantity used in raising chickens will not make the additional cost serious. A good protein concentrate at a higher price is a better proposition economically than feeding a ration containing insufficient quantity or even no meatmeal. Fortunately livermeal contains a vitamin food accessoryriboflavin is particularly valuable for young growing chickens. There is a keen demand for riboflavin-rich livermeal for poultry in the United States of America, and manufacturers have been able to build up a profitable export market. What is considered to be valuable i for feed-

in,g to chickens in the United States of America must be of qqual value for the chickens in New Zealand, and genuine livermeal products can be recommended to producers. Alternative Food Mashes A number of chick and growing mashes making use of alternative foods which may be available to poultry producers are given below. It will be noted that ground oats are included in these rations. When using oats a plump, short oat with the minimum of husk is preferable, and the

meal from these should be ground reasonably fine. Poor oats show a high percentage of husk and are of low feeding value to poultry. Speaking generally they are an uneconomic food, even if the price is comparatively low. Peas are comparatively high in vegetable protein and should -be used with discretion. They are not recommended in quantity for young chickens. A comparison of the analyses of oatmeal and peameal emphasises the point regarding the protein content. Protein. Oil. Carbohydrates. Fibre. Oatmeal ... 7% 4% 48% 10% Peameal .. 17% 1% 52% 5% These percentages refer to the digestible units present in each case, except in the instance of . the fibre. CHICKEN MASHES. Suitable for use from 1 to 7 weeks of age. 1. lb. 2. lb. Pollard 62 Pollard 40 Bran 20 Bran 20 Milk powder .... 8 Wheatmeal .... 20 Meatmeal .;.... 8 Milk powder .... 8 Minerals 2 Meatmeal 10 Minerals ....... 2 ' 100 100 3. lb. 4. lb. Pollard 30 Pollard 40 Bran 20 Bran 20 Wheatmeal 20 Oatmeal 20 Oatmeal 10 Milk powder .... 8 Milk powder 8 Meatmeal 10 Meatmeal 10 Minerals 2 Minerals 2 100 100 5. lb. Pollard 30 Bran ... 20 Wheatmeal 24 Peameal 10 ■ 1 1 < Milk powder 6 Meatmeal 8 Minerals 2 100 GROWER MASHES. For use from 8 weeks to laying stage. 1. lb. 2. lb. Pollard 36 Pollard 41 Bran 30 Bran ............ 25 Wheatmeal ..... 26 Oatmeal ........ 25 Milk powder ... 3 Milk powder .... 3 Meatmeal ...... 3 Meatmeal 4 Minerals ....... 2 Minerals 2 100 100 3. lb. Pollard 31 Bran '.. 30 Wheatmeal 25 Peameal 10 Meatmeal 2 Minerals 2 100 In all the mashes given the minerals may be made up of lib. common salt (free from lumps) and lib. oyster shell dust (or limestone flour). Taking into consideration present-day quality of pollard the first chick mash (No. 1) quoted is not particularly recommended. Mashes containing wheatmeal are recommended in preference, as the latter puts into the mash body which is lacking in pollard at present. In all the growing mashes the protein

concentration—milk powder and meat-

mealmust be reduced after the birds are approximately 12 to 14 weeks old. Unless this is done, there is a possibility of the pullets “reddening up” too soon. Chick Sexing A CHICK-SEXING examination was held by the Department of Agriculture at Upper Hutt on May 22, 1945, when one candidate presented himself for examination. Mr. J. A. Prosser, of Foxton, sexed 200 chicks in 40 minutes with an accuracy of 97 per cent., and qualified for a Chick-sexing Certificate. Mr. Prosser will be sexing in the Auckland Province during the hatching season, and all who wish to obtain his services are recommended to obtain his present address from the Poultry Instructor at the Department’s office in Auckland. Poultry farmers in the Auckland Province may secure the services of two new chick sexers in their • province this season, Mr. S. I. Brightwell and Mr. J. H. Prosser, both of whom now hold a certificate from the Department. Applications (to be submitted on P.S.C. Form 17 A, obtainable at principal Post Offices) with COPIES ONLY of testimonials, will be received up to noon on 14th AUGUST, 1945, for . the positions of POULTRY INSTRUCTORS, Permanent Staff, in the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE at various centres. Commencing salaries up to £3BO per annum plus Cost of Living Allowance. It is desired that applicants should have a good practical knowledge and experience of modern commercial poultry farming, have ability to impart knowledge and give advice on all aspects of poultry keeping by way of demonstrations and lectures, and be able to write informative articles on any subject relative to the business of poultry farming. Military status should be clearly stated. The successful applicant will be required to bear any expenses incurred in travelling to take up appointment.