THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 18 October 1913, Page 15

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Tho Growing stock.

A large amount of care Should be afforded the growing stock once the chickens leave tlho brooder. A good many people have a tendenoy to neglect chickens at this Btago. ' They give them every care while in .iJhe' Brooder," but they are too frequently left to shift for themselves wheli weahed. From three to four feeds a day, they are reduced to two. , Fro hi warm and clean quarters they are'placed in large cold houses which give the chickens a check. The effect is- easily seen in loose feathers, and sheopiEfh appearance. Should the_ chickens receive n check ■ at thia period it practically ruins the constitution. Any amount, of care afterwards will never restore ( them to their former strength. When it is dosired to remove ohicks from .the brooder, warni, cosy houses should be provided so that the effeot of tho change will not be noticed. An abundanco of chaff and good bedding should bo supplied, and,-in no instance Bliould chickens lis allowed to ' roost on porches. These nro injurious to them besides exposing them to severe colds. The successful itoan is the one who feeds and oares for his chickens uninterruptedly till the birds begin to lay. After that they will stand variations_ in ; feeding, but, while ' in their growing etajje, any neglect shows them will rosult in poor stock, and a poor returii 'of eggs.' Hopoful Signs. There are hopeful .signs that the in T du'stry will extend its influence -during the coming year. It is the intention of poUltrynien to hold a big conference in Wellington at Easter, and it is expected that a very large number of associations will bo represented. It is generally realised that' little can ,bo done to effccfc progress unless a union of this sort is made. The united effort in shipping export eggs will do much to show what co-operation will do. Without co-operation this experiment could not have been made. Breeders generally have had ft splendid season, and ! there is no doubt that tho demand for eggs nnd etodk have been greater this year than on any previous season. . In the matter of marketing, purchasing tho foods and requisites, thousands of portiids could be saved annually if the true co-operative spirit wore shown amongst producers. One of the difficulties is to got loyalty,' Many producers will join a co-operativo concern in order to test the prices of the market, and ■will then dispose of tho rost of their products, privately in order to save conlmissiou. This sets 'up a competitive spirit that is hard to overcome, and spoils tho possibilities afforded hy cooperation. Table Poultry. Tho scarcity of table poultry is again manifest. In the Ohristchurch poultry market last week pen after f>on of table chickens were sold from Bs. to 9s. 7d., per pair. The demand was so great • that the Supply was Dot half sufficient to meet it. There ia no doubt that

poultrymen might give greater attention _to table poultry. It would help tho industry in many ways. Tho Government might well make some experiments with the perioral purposo fowl It should 1 be possible to breed a highclass bird that will lay a profitable number of eggs, as well as give good cockerels for the table. It is of little use keeping fowls . unless the production of • eggs is tho' strongest point, but .a variety should be obtainable, which, would supply tho demand Br table purposos. Nood'of Cleanliness. • Now that summer is approaching poultrymen cannot 'be ■ too careful iii seeing that everything is kept scrupulously clean. Houses" should bo thoroughly cleansed so as to prevent the inroads of red mites. These will multiply by thousands, and good production is cut of the question when they abound. Perches should bo thoroughly spTayed. and precautions taken tha't the mite does not got hold. Water fountains should be kept clean nnd fresh water daily provided. Brooders, incubators, and poultry runs should bo disinfected. We nave seen a good many instances of birds suffering from colds this seasoil. Much of itiS duo to want of care and cleanliness. Hence disease gets hold, and is hate? to eradicate, and the producer may have to suffer heavy losses from neglect.