POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

(By Chanticleer.). ANSWERS TO COfiKESFOiVDENTS. "Farmer" aske advice us to the Lest breed of fowls to keep. Answer: There is no best breed. One lias just, to select tho breed that =uit.s auditions. On tho farm the heavy breeds give best results. They havo tho oroody iuBtiuct which enables reproduction to tnko t>laeo each year. Tho Orpingtons, Wyandottes, and Uocks aro all suitable lor farm conditions. They embody good layins Qualities as well as table characteristics. 'J'ho light breeds aro suitablo lor one wlio deaires to. farm for eggs only. 'J he White Leghorn must always stand out promlnontly as ono of tho best egg wouiicers. Formers produce most of Iho table poultry in the country, and tho heavy breeds suit their requirements best. "Beginner" writsa: "What is the differ6Dcb between straiu and breed?" Answer: Breed specifies variety, strain indicates quality. Birds may be good specimens of a, breed, but possess pi.or egglaying strain. Onco a good-laying 6traiu is established care should bo taken to preserve it. "Enthusiast" says: "I havo only got 60 chicks out of 100 eggs. Tho others died in tho shell, and I would liko to know tho cause of their failure to hatch." Answer: Sou are extremely fortunate In getting 80 chicks, and have no ctiieo to complain. The general average of our best poultryinen for the season is £0 to 60 per cent. Tho cause of dead in slell may be -attributed to many things. Tho breeding stock may lack vitality. They may ho constitutionally weak. They may oa fed on unsuitable foods, or lack exercise. The eggs may bo roughly handled, or kept too long before being set in the .maolune. Tho, ventilation may be faulty, or tho eggs lack moisture. The temperature may be too high or too L«. In nine cases out of ten the cause is high temperature. The eggs' may not be cooled BnfneienUy or they may. be chilled. There are many thiug6 that may cause the trouble. You must search each possible cause, until you discover the one that is responsible. Too many beginners eto overanxious about the' loss of these chicks. They should actually bo glad they do not hatch. If 80 out of 100 hatch, it is tho strong ones that, hatch, the weak ones tail. They would be of little uso if they did hatch.. Lose no time over'them. Set the machine again, aud givo your attention to the. strong chicks you have. 'Juvenile" writes: "I am getting 50 dayOld chicks from a poultry breeder. Will you advise.me how to give them the best care?" .

Answer: When the chicks aa-rive. have %. nice warm brooder ready. If a lamp brooder, get the temperature to 90. . II a flrelees hroodeiy have, a stone jar full of .boiling water, .and place this under .the quilts. If tho chicks arrive at tight, do not bother feeding .them, but unpack and place, in tho warm brooder, and nake comfortable for tho night. Many chicks are because on. arrival they arc taken from the warm, snug chick-boxes, and placed in cold quarters. They i:atch a chill, and soon they aib ofv Warmth is the great essential to success. Some take them out of-the box, and jjlace them In a■cold room for friends to view, ivjth theresult the .poor'little fellows are ctilled. Wo repeat want of warmth causes ■ inoru deaths am'otiEchicks than any other cfjißC Next ■ iuorning take the" clucks out, andii ? r a m ' nnt es en a 'eady-made chick food, ■or a sprinkling of coarse oatmeal. Then put-them back again in the warmth. This' should bp dono fcur times eaoh'day till- the chicks'learn to come inout of the flr'eless brooder on tlicir own account. When a lamp is used they will require no training,' as the warm air attracts, them. ■ Do not crowd too many chicks together. In the '.first two weeks the .60 chicks will-do well in one brooder After, they are-better' divided unlessample accommodation is given to prevent crowding.-.- • . .-••■ : ■. Asiatic Eggs. The Government of Australia has absolutely prohibited the importation of Asiatic eggs. This means a great help .to the Iw, ? i' p J uUry , l> rod "o«s. Ebbs have. ' been- forced down to ninopence per dozen. abroad 0 ' chcap e ses imported from