THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 3

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

4 (By Chantecler.)

Single Testing and Tocmarks. To singly test a hen is not bard work, lou stick her in a pen by herself, feed her properly, and then got to your daily toil. "When yon return home the egg is there, or it isn't; you score one, or :v miss, for that day, and it is a simple and certain method. When you have found out which is your best layer—and you can't do it under al2 months' run—you breed from her, and toemark the chicks. It is not at all certain that every pullet will bo n champion layer just because her mother was—not even if the mother wero mated to a inalo bird of equal strain. Some of them will "throw back," or "revert" to their original, poor laying ancestors, and tho reason is not far to seek. Just think of the thousands of years when the birds laid a few eggs for tho purpose of reproducing tho species, and then think of tho very few years of cultivation and selective breeding which has been carried out, and tho enormous influence of the "pull back" will be apparent. You can't wait Jong enough to see how the pullets will lay beforo sending them to the test, because you want them to lay all (heir eggs (hero if they are to have a chance nowadays. Judgment Comes In. Judgment must now como in, and it is largely because that judgment is at fault that six pullets from 280 egg parents lay (say) only 1300 eggs in tho year. However smart and observant a man may be, ho is sometimes at fault in picking out his competition team. Of course, the best men have the best judgment, and that is why they do so much better than the others; but I don't think any of them would care to selid a pen of birds away simply on appearance. They are guided to a largo extent by tho punched hole in tho foot, and I feel sure every competitor would do better if he gave up tho idea that he can "pick" layers on their appearance, and relied more on the toemark, and the selection of strong, forward birds, of robust appetite. I believe, if the breeding from singly tested stock has been kept up for some years, that the toemark would, in tix pullets, find five first-class layers. The ordinary man does well if he can pick three or four good ones out of six, on appearance.

Breed from the "Sticker." One good layer is not so good to breed from as another good layer. Doesn't sound right, but it is. For instance, ono hen lays about 20 eggs every month for 12 or 18 months. She takes a day or so off every week for a rest up, and keeps going at a nice, steady bat of about four or five eggs a week, month after month. This is the hen to breed from; she is a "sticker," and, spelling as she docs, her eggs are likely to produce a strong chick because of the reserve strength in the bird. It is only common sense to believe that the hen which spells two days a week will put up the strongest chickens, and if she finishes tho first year with 250 will make a grand breeder in the second year. Now, take the other good layer; the one that makes breaks of 20 or 30, she throws off so many eggs in each spurt that it is only reasonable to believe that the effort must exhaust her energy, so that the chicks should bo poorer in constitution than those bred from the hen that spells a day or two in every week. In the ono case there is a reserve of strength, in the other there isn't; therefore, breed from the j "sticker." r

Black Orpingtons Going Strong, A pen of blacks is leading at the Gatton (Queensland) competition, and the birds liavo been doing excellently, with 164, for July, 172 for August, and IK) for September. The six hens have thus averaged over, five eggs per day for 92 daysvery good/going indeed, and equal to the best-work of the bsst Leghorns. The score of these .blacks for the first six months was 721—a fino performance for. heavyweights. The broody season is now on, and it is probable that the birds will fall ! away in laying for this reason; it seems | certain that some of them will become broody, as is usual after a big burst of I laying. A' Word to Farmers. The results of the above pen should prove nn inducement to farmers to go in for the heavy breeds. Table poultry in New Zealand is becoming very scarce, and prices are very high. Farmers should raise as many chickens as possible from the table varieties. There will bo a keen demand for many mouths to come, and high prices are assured. The policy of tho Government poultry farms in reducing tho price to 4s. 6d. a_ setting is a wise one, as it should induce many farmers to raise poultry for the table. Canadian Progress. The 1911 report (published March 30, 1912) of tho Agricultural Department of Ottawa, Canada, says that there is a rapidly-growing demand in the larger cities and towns of the Dominion for strictly new-laid eggs, with tho delicious flavour which only such eggs have. For such an exceptionally' choice article the highest values are paid to tho producer. This leads to the inquiry: What is considered a choice-quality egg? An eg" of such a description must fill tho following rather exacting conditions—viz.:—(a) Must not bo over four or five days old when offered for sale; (b) Nonfortilised. so as

to prevent, possible germ-development. This forcibly applies to eggs laid in late spring and during the summer months, (c) Of fine flavour, which can only be found in eggs laid by well and cleanlyfed hens. A hen allowed to ent decaying animal or vegetable substances or drink filthy water is not likely to lay an egg of the finest flavour, (d) Nutritious in quality nnd clean and inviting in appearance. If the hens are lice-infected,' the lico are likely to got the nutriment which should remain in the egu. An egg laid

in a dirty nest is not likely to present an attractive appearance, (e) Should be collected as soon as possible after being laid, nnd be kept in a cool, sweet-smell-

ing cellar or cupboard so as to avoid any possible contamination. The egg.shell is porous, and the flavour of the" epg is easily affected by surrounding substances, (f) Haying such a choice article—as an o?g laid under tho conditions outlined is

likely to be—it is worth while putting them up in neat cases or boxes. Where there are egg. circles, it is a rnlo that the date when tho egg is laid be stamped on it, as well as the name of the party who sends it. The report then discusses the question of quality in table poultry and advises as follows-.—"The same enre and effort is necessary in the production of the superior quality of poultry. The producer with well-fleshed, carefully-plucked and neatly-dressed chickens is far more likely to receive a high fienro than tho seller who has poorly-plucked, ill-colour-ed, scrawny chickens. The highest prico markets of to-day call for a high-quality article. The producers who take the trouble to cater to this market obtain the highest figures. Those who have the inferior quality must be content with lower values. The zini of the farmers should bo to cater <ro the highest-quality trade. Farmers are certainly in tlw niosffavournble position to take advantage of tho high prices. Usually they have grain, roots, clover, and other articles of feed in abundance, and frequently in the shape of waste. At any rate, they are available at first cost. No more profitable use could 1m made of any kind of grain or vegetable waste than by feeding it to poultry." If fowls are in. small confined runs, good results cau only be got by the strictest observance of the rules of:—(1) Extreme cleanliness, (2) fresh green food 1 nnd pure water, (3) a little animal food (worms for preference twice, a week), or fresh cut bone. Skimmed milk is a most useful adjunct in the feeding of chickens. If it constitute about half their food, or even more, it will be found that, up to a certain age, about lib. weight will bo made by tho bird for every 3Mb. of dry food served with the milk. Birds are always bettor for a little salt being mixed with their food. But the salt must not bo in excess, or it will set up more or less irritation of tho bowels, Flaked or cooked foods will go further, nro more digestible, ami therefore do more good than hard grain whero the cellular tissue has not been broken down by the application of steam. They arc not, nil things considered, as expensive as uncooked foods. It is being contended just uow that, experiments show that more weight of eggs in laid by 'he giving of oyster shell to hens uro rata with the dry food they

consume than when oyster shell is withheld. This may well mean that as tho How of shell-making fluid is slower where oyster shell is withheld, tho egg is longer in the oviduct Ihnn it would otherwise be. Tho slay in this passage .is rcgitlaled by circumstances, as we all know, and present opinion goes to show that with oyster shell given, not only a better and stronger shell results, but tho eggs are laid in quicker succession. Remember that tho largest hen does not lay tho largest egg, and that, as eggproducers, nothing can compete with the fighter breeds. Tho Wyandotte and Plymouth Hock breeds nro as much table birds as egg-layers. Tho Orpingtons and White. Wyandottes nro especially coldweather layers. But nono of those tho whole year Tound can compete in number and weight of eggs and value thereof when compared with tho cost of keeping with tho light Mediterraneans. It is a mistake to think theso cannot be made to lay all the winter through. There never need bo any squabbling about tho value of breeds. They all differ more or less from each other. One has its value one way, another another. Nates for the Novice. When you buy eggs from a breeder don't expect every chick to bo a pullet, and don't expect moro than a dozen chicks from twelve eggs. Don't blame tho seller if you fail to hatch tho lot in an incubator, for it is not ovor.vono who can get 100 per cent.; not one in 100 as a matter of fact. Tho big virtues of tho machino aro that you can hatch when you like, as many as you choose, and the chicks thrive becauso of tho absence of vermin.

If you aro setting eggs now, make tho nest on tho ground in a damp, shady spot. Dust tho hen with insect powder; sprinklo some on tho nest, and prbvido a dust bath. Feed on wheat only. When the chicks hatch, leavo them alono for 21 hours, then move them and tho hen to a fresh spot, and burn tho nest.

Don't .forget that you will want plenty of green stuff for tho coming summer. If you have tho water plant a lot of it; lucerne, rape, kale, silver beet, lettuce, etc., and, later, maize.

Don't put a IMb. Opinion on Leghorn eggs, and expect her to get through without breaking sonic. Castor oil and sulphur, lard and sulphur, vaseline and sulphur, or olivo oil and kerosene will cure most scaly legs. Wash the legs well; then dry and well rub in one of these mixtures every otherday until cured.

Don't let a scaly-legged hen raise chickens; she will pass the parasite on to them.

In setting a feather-legged hen, cut off the feathers close to tho legs, or she will scoop out an egg now and again when she conies off the nest.

Put food and water for a setting hen at the far end of the coop; make her come off. Use wheat only as the most sustaining food, but don't put it close to her, If you do, she will very likely kick soma of it into the nest, then scratch it out, Mid break some of the egg's. Moreover f)i« movement causes the hen to evacuate, which prevent the fouling of'the wsti In my experience the Leghorn roester with a shrill crow is likely to produce good layers. \ LAYING COMPETITIONS. N.Z. UTILITY POULTRY'CLUm Returns for twenty-eighth weelj tvjf tfv Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club's ciffJlU laying competition for fowls:— for th week, datW. A. Nixon, Buncoed,-White Leghorns, No. 1 3G 913 J. W. Green, St. Albans, White Leghorns 31 873 A. W. Irvine, Epsom, White Leghorns, No. 1 35 805 W. A. Nixon, Buvwood, White Leghorns, No. i 31 802 Hcretaunga P. Co., Silverstream, Brown Leghorns, No. 1 32 800 A. E. Kent, Shirley, White Leghorns 32 78(1 H. Lcger, Wcrcroa, White Leghorns 34 788 Frankish Bros., Wanganui, White Leghorns 31 788 W. Knight, Lower Hutt, Sil- ' ver AVyandottes 32 W 11. 14. \l U..1....1!.. ILllllUlltJU, l>. Leghorns 37 780 Win. Scull, Christchurch, Black Wyandottes, 26—GIG; John Wordsworth, Geraldine, White Leghorns, No. 1, 31i—721; James Ashton, llanmer, Silver AVyandottes, 28-007; Martin Bros., Auckland, White Leghorns, 31-778; Verrall Bros., Swannanoa, Brown Leghorns, 28—779; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Brown Leghorns, No. 2, 31-700; H. S. Woodnorth, Winton, Brown Leghorn.'!, 37—700; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Brown Leghorns, No. 3, 28—77 C; R. M. Smith, Auckland, Brown Leghorns, 15—550; Rangiuru l',sg Ranch, Otaki, Brown Leghorns, 3G--051; R. W. Hawke, , Papanui, Brown Leghorns, 31—691; K. Willis and Son, New Briahton, Brown Leghorns, 33-075; A. E-. Wilson, Shirley, White WVandottes, 28-382; D. Stewart, Normanby, White Leghorns, 33—C70; Master G. Wilson, Shirley, White Leghorns, 33—C3S; Romnin Mungcr, Lower Hutt, White Leghorns. 33-713; Mrs. R. W. Hawke, l'npaniri; AA'hito Leghorns, 30—702; A. Stevenson, Karori, White Leghorns, 22 - —500; A. R. Browne, Petane Beach, White o Leghorns, 40—709; J. H. Shaw and R. James, Christchurch, AVhito Leghorns, 32 -G7B; W. G. Goodwin, Thames, White Leghorns, 17—578; W. A. Nixou. Burwood, Silver Wyandot Its, 30-731; A. E. AVilson, Shirley, Silver AVyandottes, 28—052; Misses Bradley, Papanui, AVhito Leghorns, 31— 733; T. Kennedy, Rangiora, White AVvnndottes, 25-420; C. M. Peck, Avondalc, Whito Leghorns, 27—530; N. Solomon, Westport, Black Orpingtons, ■ 28-G32; C.

1- Jl. Pock, Avondalc, Black Orpingtons. 35— ii| Git; G. H. Bradford, Cust. Silver Wynn- !' dottbs, 33-SSI; A. W. Irvine, Epsom, is White Leghorns, No. 2, 35—809; Here- "• taungn P. C, Silverstrcam, White Leg.n horns, No. 2, 35-762; Middlepark P. Farm, ,s Riccarton, White Leehorns, 29—"IS; ,T. ■K Strong, Dovleston. White Leghorns. 35— '= G39; P. Keller, Rolleston. White Leghorns, '} 31—014; Percy Holt, Papakura, White '' Leghorns, 35—741; W. Knight, Lower 3 Hutt, White" Leghorns, 2G—658; = G. Anderson, Silver Wyandoltea, 28-CDS; ;' .T. W. Bradley anrl Son. Papanui, White i' Leghorns, 35—593; Mrs. J. Mills, Dunedm, / '" White leghorns, 29-072; W. 0. Sail, _ Cust, White ■ Leghorns, 32—G22; Crawj ford and Pudscy, Lower Hutt, White P ~ Leghorns, 29—757; R. A. Lazarus, Lower N „ Hutt, White Leghorns, 31-783; W. 0. \ .. Sail, Cust, Silver Wyandottes, 29-605; 9 „ Misses Radford nnrt Harker, Ohau. Wliite 3 ° Leghorns. 35-623; A. W. Adams, Sheffield, I :' Silver Wynndoltes, 31—702; .1. Corrie, J " ISeckenham, White Leghorns, 35—078; E. \ ' If. Borchart. Elthum, White Leghorns, 9 r " 30-597; T. K. Collins, Lower Hutt. Black j i Orpingtons, 28—521; Dominion Poultry 9 Plant. Coromandel, While Leghorns, 33— .' 730; T. Kennedv. Rangiorn, Silver Wyan- ' dottcs.'33-717. Totals: IESS and 41,229. ;; FOR DUCKS. e fNow Zealand Utility Poultry. Club's I - third laying competition for ducks. I e Twentv-eighih week.l J i ' Total Total | 3 for to I Week. Date. } , Thos. Dowthwaile, Avondnlo, I Indian Runners 38 533 8 - W. Knight, Lower Hutt, I 1 Indian Runnors 27 642 j' 1 S. H. Scott, Onehunga, Buff J r Orpingtons 26 659 { t T. R. Hall, Wererou, Indian I Runners 33 890 a , P. Keller, Rollestnn, Indian __ i Runnors ,'M , 790 « > D. M. Peek. Avondale.' Indian. 8 Runners 33 Gt" R S. H. Scott, Onehunga, Indian H Runners 37 459 3 ; Horo.tauuga Poultry Co., Sil- 9 vOTsfremn, I. Ttmiliers 39 85G J Miss A. J. Donald, Dunsnndol, Indian Runners 12 601 j P. Keller, Rolleston, Indian | Runners 32 619 B A WINN'ER OF COMPETITIONS. The Egg-laying competitions for 1910.11 ] nnd 1911-12 wero both won by pens rearer! I on 'A. and P." Chick Kaiser. The first! essential for profitable poultry keepinz. Obtainable from all Storelse.mers.-Aavt, (L,