POULTRY NOTES

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 380, 20 August 1903, Page 5

POULTRY NOTES

Poultry breeders can learn much from Josh Billings remark: My eon observe the postage stamp. Its usefulness depends on its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." Experience has proved that much of the non-success in obtaining a regular supply of egw in winter is due to the overfeeding of the morning ration. If hens are "gorged "at that meal they will not be inclined to exercise ; and again, experience has proved that cue is one of the principal factors in will be found a cheap food. Buckwheat is not very extensively used as a poultry food, but it is an excellent one, and a good evening ration is a mixture Feed liberally and early. Mots rehen* m ° re g6nerous tr eatment than ♦ Js* fc S° b6Bt kyers and breed from them, and a strain of prolific lavers will be obtained. For setting, XT the largest and best shaped eL Do not mistake a malformed or double-volk egg for a large one. J One often meets farmers and others who state they cannot make anything out of the industry, and are quite convinced there is nothing in it. One of the reasons for this state of things is that a farmer's flock of poultry i 8 usually composed of birds of all ages and breeds, from the stunted youngster of a late hatching to the hen that is years past a profitable laying period. They Bh ° u g ■", b * got rid of. No hen should be kept after three winters Eggs must be got in winter, if good profits are required, and only early, hatched, well-matured pullets and yearlmg hens will furnish winter eggs in paying quantities. Hens havfbeen bred by care ful selection to increase their egg production from 150 to 250 eggs per year in a few seasons. It, costs only a little trouble to make the experiment.

Professor Gilbert, of Ottawa, Ctaub, gives the following reasons why farmer* should keep poultry : First—Because the farmer ought, by their means, to convert a great rie ~.i of the waste of his farm into mona in the shape of eggs and chickens ?> market. Second—Because with intellig management, they ought to beall-ye revenue producers, with the exception of perhaps two months during the moulting season. Third—Because poultry will yield him a quicker return for the capital invested than any of the other departments of agriculture. Fourth—Because the manure from the poultry house will make a valuable compost for use in either vegetable garden or orchard. The birds themselves, if allowed to run in plum or apple orchard, will destroy all injurious insect life. Fifth—Because while cereals and fruits can only be successfully grown in certain sections, poultry can be raised for table use or layers of eggs in all parts of the country. Sixth—Because poultry-raising is an employment in which the farmer's wife and daughters can engage, and leave him free to attend to other departments. Seventh—Because it will bring him the best results in the shape of newlaid eggs during the winter season, when the farmer has the most time on his hands. Eight—Because to start poultry raising on the farm requires little or no capital. By good management poultry can be made with little cost a valuable adjunct to the farm.