POULTRY NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 34, 10 July 1939, Page 6

POULTRY NOTES

WEIGHING OF PULLETS

MAINTAINING BREED SIZE

It is difficult to judge the weight of a pullet as it sits in the hand. Weights should be accurately obtained by putting the bird on the scales. The operation, is perfectly simple. If a pan balance is used, the bird willlie quite quiet across the pan if its head is tucked under its wing. ill" scalcs are used with a hook then the bird should be suspended by the wings in a loop of soft string. Careless breeding involves the selection of breeding flocks on egg records alone. Little attention is paid to body size, breeding ability and.egg quality. The result is that breed size diminishes badly. RESISTANCE TO DISEASE If fowls are to be vigorous awl healthy highly resistant to disease and able to lay large, well-shaded eggs, then they must be of proper weight. The weighing of young pullets is of added value. It will shofcv, the results of the year's breeding, and enable the parent hens which throw large and sound progeny to be identified. Such hens should be retained for breeding the next season. It will show too } the hens which throw small pullets, and they may then be culled from future breeding pens. Weighing will also identify the poorly fleshed pullets which may need treatment to restore them to health, MINIMUM WEIGHT SCALES Recommended minimum weights for given breeds and laying test weights are considered. Both appear to Require some adjustment, and the best weights for pullets coming into lay are the following; Anconas, 4y 2 lb; Australorps, slb: Indian Game, 61b; Leghorns, 51b; Orp. ingtons, 61b; Rocks, Rhode Is land Reds, 51b; Sussex, and Wyandottes 51b. CLEANING A POULTRY HOUSE All poultry houses and coops should be given a thorough cleaning end disinfecting at least once a year. However, because of the fact that many poultry keepers have only one fowlhouse, it is not always possible to do this work as thoroughly as it should be done. The poultry farmer would be Avise to manage his plant in such a way that all houses can be properly cleaned and disinfected each year, especially those keeping bir ls on the extensive system. To do this work properly the first thing is to remove all nests perches, grit boxes &c. ? then all litter, arid, if the house has an earthen floor, all loose earth should be takon out. The ceiling, walls, and floor should then bj given a good sweeping with a stiff brush, and the accumulated dirt iemoved. Then take a spray pump o< garden hose and wash down the ceiling, walls and floor. Use plenty of water. After this has been done scrape all porches and routing boards and Remove any caked manure. It is advisable to allow the house a day or two in which to and then to give the whole house, ceiling, walls floor, perches, nests a good spraying with a strong disinfectant, making sure that the disinfectant gets into all corners r cracks and crevices. A second spraytag with disinfectant will be well worth while. A similar thorough cleaning should be given to all brood coops, brooder houses, and colony houses, and this should be done well before the breeding season. , ANNUAL OVERHAUL It is a really good plan, also, make a practice of giving the whole poultry plant a really good overhaul once each year, and this should b, done before the busy hatching reason starts. Now is a good time to examine all fences, posts, gates, doors, troughs, ne-;t boxes > brooders incubators, &c. A new post, a fresh piece of \\'i» netting, or a little timely attention to a badly fitting gate or door w : l! >ave extra expense and perhaps t v noyancc later on and add gicatly to the general appearance of the plant. \n extra feed trough is an asset on my farm. It is well to see that sufficient troughs'are provided so that -ach adult bird is allowed 3in trough reeding space. j j