THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1434, 8 May 1912, Page 10

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

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The Egg Famine. In continuation of my remark* from last week, Hi' now conio to tlie Cjiic->tion of t'vPili in open vartls, which should bo the simp as that just mentioned for the clo-od sheil. KxereUu is most important, and there should be a scratching shed fixed up ill the run. 11 is uisily made. A square frame. '■> or -li'l. high, with an iron roof, and boarded right round at I he l)nitom fa a height" of 18in. or -o from the ground, is all that is wonted. Litter should lie placed inside, nearly in the levei of the enclosing board, and (hen (ho birds will keep busy, and dry and warm on the coldest and wette-t davs. A windbreak rigM round tno run, and made of iron, or split limewashed bays means more eggs because it keeps tho wind off the birds, wind being destructive to good egg yields, whether it be a cold or hot wind. The Why of it. The why of it ail is this: Hens do not naturally lay until the warm weather arrives. because, it is at this tine that seeds and insects may be found to sustain life, and the weather is right for the growth of the chickens. Nature's idea is, Hint eggs shall be laid for the reproduction of the species, hence the disinclination of the hens to lay eggs until the time is right for chickens, which is in the spring and early summer, when flio life sat) in every animal is running strongly, ana when all Nature is awake. To make liens lay in the cold, winter v.'eathcr, is to force them to do something they don't want to do, and to successfully do ii, it is. necessary to simulate warm weather conditions as nearly as possible. Hence the scratching exercise to keep them warm, the shelter from the cold winds during the day, and from cold air at night, and the feeding of meat and soup in the mash in the place of insects and bugs. Why Eggs are Dear. The groat bulk of the eggs that are used in New Zeaian.d come.s from the country farms, and the price goes up in the autumn nnd winter, because the farm hens in general are not. properly fed and I housed, nor are young pullets systematically bred to take up the laying, when (he old hens indulge in the annual casting of feathers, and ihe making of a new eoat, during which time they do not lay. The farm hens are brought, up approximately under natural, primitive, conditions; roosting outside, etc., and so tliey do not lay well until spring arrives, nnd they can grub round and find insect life, ehi. Here and_ there farmers mnv bo found, who breed tlic-ir young stock on time, feed and house properly, ami get eggs all the year round, but; they are not numerous enough to prevent the shrinkage in supplies. Every suburban householder could run up a shod, put a few hens in it, produce his own eggs, and so be independent of supplies from tlie country districts. Palmersion Show. Poultry-lovers will learn with interest that a big show of birds may be looked for at the National Dairy Show from •Tune 25 to 28. A special committee of the 'Manawatu Poultry Association, working in conjunction with the Dairy Show Committee, has gathered in many special prizes, and reports from all over the Dominion are said to indicate a largo number of onirics. Special accommodation is being provided by (ho Dairy Show Committee in anticipation. A separata schedule covering list of cla"es, special prizes, and judges is being prepared, and anyone desiring one should communicate with the .'.ceretnry, Mr. "IV. T. Penny, Palmcr.iton North. Improving the Stock. Its is a very poor specimen of a poul-try-keeper who is not desirous nf improving his stock, whether his object be to raise a more profitable strain of egg-pro-ducers, better table birds, or poultry intended for exhibition, as apart from the utilitarian breeds. Many n poultrykeeper does not give a moment's thought, except, perhaps, in a casual sort of way, towards improving the strain of birds he relies upon, be his objeot what it limy. Those of that kind who go for exhibition birds alone find themselves continually outclassed in decent competition, nnd those whose object is to raise utility birds, earing naught for their improvement", find themselves out of Docket. It is not everyone who can spend many guineas towards purchasing high-class fowls. But ill the ease of utility birds for eggproduction much can be done Inwards improving the stock bv the poultry-keener using a modicum of his natural intelligence. The owner of a mixed lot of hens can, by iudicious selection, quickly add to the profits of his undertaking: for selection and fresh, approved blond will enFnre a strain of birds that will, if followed up. add greatly to the value of the iiutput of eggs. In dealing with a mixed lot let the owner carefully examine his hens. What is wanVd is a robust constitution, and the higher loving quality. Therefore, those h°iis that are rol)»=t and full of lusty life are to be brought under examination. Prom such hens select six or eight of the very best layers, even if one or two of them have seen (heir best day. These selected birds, and an approved male will he the basis of the future flocks. Therefore, snecial care must lie taken in their selection. A weakling or an indifferent layer must, be shunned, and a mala bird bred from utility parents is lo be secured. For these choice hens every care must lie taken to secure a cock that will stamn (he higher laving quality upon the pullets produced by these hens. There must in this case, bp' no half-doing of the matter. Borrowing nf a male from o neighbour is tempting fortune, usually in vain. Lot' the man desirous oi' real improvement take no half-measures, but let him go to a well-established breeder, and buy the best young and vigorous cock-birds his purse can afford. With these choice hens from his mixed flock, and the purchased male, let rlie owner start and found his future flock. Prom the progeny obtained in the first season promptly cull, and dispose of or pot all the cockerels. They will not he wanted, and will, always be in the way. The pullets take enre nf; they will he the best egg-producers during their pullet age. The following season the best, of theiii will be wanted, for the breedingP \vhile the pullets arc in their first lay-

ing season the original birds will be again bred from, raiting up a better class of laying fowls, and providing in their ec-c----ond .season suitable matrons fur the breed-ing-pen. Again and again all cockerels must be cleared out as useless for any purpose s a vo as food. From ".iine to lime further male birds arc to be introduced. No improvement can be made by inlcr-breediiig, and without: - fresh blood constitution mus! deteriorate. Til is is the time of-year to consider ihe above subject, for the breeding season js fast approaching. Improving the Strain. Although we. may have a number of liens that are uniformly excellent layers, there is always a possibility that we" are breeding ffom birds, whether cock or liens, that are not themselves of Ihe Isighest. utility class. 11' that is so, the best resulis cannot b» secured. It will therefore be necessary from time to time to prove the laying quality of one's improved stock. Tiiis testing may be done by single pens or pens containing but three or four hens. The trap-nest has fallen into disuse somewhat, owing to the vast amount of time taken up ill following out that system. "Where, nowever, it can Ixi followed, the trap-nest is very eH'ccUvo in giving reliable evidence of a hen's laying power. Extra labour is also given iu seeing to the hens in single liens -or where a larger number are conlined. But the labour required is very necessary if I Its work of improving (he strain is to be carried on. l'oultrymen must remember that strain counts in every breed. To obtain the best strain of any particular breed is the highest object of a breeder's art. Winter Feeding. Maize, which in the summer season is too beat-producing for poultry, may now, as the cold weather sets in, lie freely used as food for poultry. It should be given early iu the afternoon, before the fowls retire to their roosts. Tho morning food for laying hens or those who may be expected to lay soon, is best supplied amongst straw, or other light litter, and may take the form of wheat Or oats. This grain food should l>o cost in the litter over night, so that fowls may soon after daybreak employ themselves scratching amongst the litter and getting their own breakfasts. This method is better than the warm morning mash, especially so when the poultry-keeper is not an early riser. A warm mash may be given before midday. International Egg-laying Contest. Koine months ago (writes "Chaiiticler" in the "Australasian") 1 mentioned in this column that an endeavour was being made in Ihe United States of America to promote uu egg-laying competition open to all nations. To what extent the contest is international 1 am unable to say, for the news concerning it has for the present been very meagre. From the "Country Gentleman" just to hand I find that Ihe competition commenced on iVovcniber 1 last with 100 pens. The details vet -available give no particulars as lo performances. The only matters of Interest noticed by the paper mentioned are as follow.—"'During the first wec-k in December G2 pens were laying; the second week, 7-1; the third, week, 77; the fourth week, S3; and the last four days in December ami the first two in January 87 out of a possiblclOO. From the first Week of the contest—which began November 1, 1311—up to the present time there has been a steady increase in the number of pens laying, which goes lo show that the conditions must be nretly nearly right for e.ijf-productioii. The birds are till weighed once a month, ami so far have IH-uiy all shown a marked increase in weight. During the first three weeks of tho contest a considerable number of small'eggs were laid, but later nearly every one weighed Soz. or more, which is the standard weight. It should be interesting to poultrymen to know that ui the end of (his contest, which is considered the greatest ever conducted, a bulletin will be published by the Storrs Agricultural Ijxperimenlal Station and the Connecticut Agricultural College giving full details of the'contest." The Hen and Her Worth, The lien as an individual tuny appear an unimportant little body, but in bulk she looms largely, as will appear from what an American paper says of her: "According to the United States census, ' our fowl papulation in 11)16 was 203.880.11U11, worth 151,033,000 dollars. This sum docs not include the poultry and eggs sold by Ihe producers or what was consumed by them. The value of the stock on hand, however, was 23.0:10,000 dollars more than the gold and silver produced in the United States that year. In last season's dry weather poultry safely tided many farmers over the financial difficulties caused by short, crops. If' more of our people would place larger trust in and give more attention to the hen and lier next of kin they would find themselves in closer touch with a good living, and on more intimate terms with prosnerify. The lien should not be neglected: if given the same caro and thought as the other iarin stock she would prove tho most profitable. As it is, she is often entitled lo ibat distinction." Roup. This is the time of year to look out for romi. If the henhouse is draughty or damn (rays an exchange) roup will ' certainly come along in double quick time, and as most flocks of birds kept in private hands are very much inbred, the disease will generally run through Hk» flock and decimate if. Poultry-houses do not require to be keot. warm. They mus!, however, be kept clean, well ventilated,, and dry. Under damp, dirty, and draughty conditions roup has a grand field in front of it, and the opportunitv will not be lost. So poultry kepers look' out ere winter fairly sets in. Dt not let coughs nnd colds be unheeded. Feed well, and 'where too many fowls are for th" space allotted reduce the steel-:. Foup is easily recognised. It is ocenmpanied by n very bod breath, hot. feiid. repulsive. There is no mistaking it. When it occurs at once isolate the aiTecM bird, .living easily-digested and strengthening food, clean ivaler, and drv quarters. A pro-nerly-mad". roup pill or naste should be given as directed promptly. Promt)* JCfron may save the lives of many choice fowls. Neglect will ,f>e the " lot either swept off or cnt J rely ruiivd. A bird that has bad touh badly is entirely useless for further breeding.