POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 3, 28 September 1918, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES

(By "Chanticleer.") Batter Prospects. It has been truly 6aid, "There is money in poultry if you know how.'' However, it matters not what knowledge one possesses if that knowledge is- not put into practice. . ............. Theae arc times of uttusual conditions. Feed, timber, fencing, and labour are all high, but tho prices, paid for commercial' eggs this year have held.the lushest summer average in the history of this country. Tho leading breeders, of standard practical fowls, with rare exceptions, report, a highly satisfactory hatching-egg and baby-chick business. The baby-chick trade being done this season is tho largeßt on record. Summer sales of "breeding stock and exhibition fowls. do .not. seoin to have sliown-nny-inorease, leading breeders report business about normal, ■ Present indications point to very high prices for eating eggs thiß com'.ng winter, and with the present work wnich. is being undertaken to ensure tho holding of more poultry exhibitions thiß coming winter, it is. certain that-the breeder of standard quality will have a demand for all surplus fowls of quality, and at good monoy-making prices. Thus it would fieem that it ip up to each poultryman, whether or not money is to be made. Conditions of the world in general and of feed prieeß- demand of the poultrymen one hundred per cent, efficiency. He, who has built best in the paet-who has pro-perly-arranged houßcs and yards—who has culled and bred for better poultry with a certain standard in mind, is now Bailing sal'ely. Success or failure is up to the poultryman. Wo mußt learn in these war times to adjust our methods to fit tho war-time prices of feed and of our products. Better.layers and efllciont methods moan succcbb under present conditions. Wise indeed is the poultryman who docs his work well in the chick season. Bre«t crs of standard exhibition stock and the strictly egg farmer alike must make certain his fowls are free of any vermin. Itooßt-polcß should be painted, nests, drop-ping-boards, and other exposed parts of .the houses should be thoroughly sprayed with a good, liquid mite-killer. Every fowl Bhould be handled.oa the roosts after dark so as not to excite" them, and a small amount of some good powder. should be rubbed well into the sttm about one inch below the vent. Also a small amount applied the same.way to each thigh will quickly rid all fowls of body .lice. Many heuß are very likely to have become too fat during the laßt two months; Any with such a tendency should be sorted out and kept where they can be fed and cared forinamanuer best suited to their condition. Tho vpry best layers are not as likely to oliow any great amount of surplus fat; on the contrary many will be altogether too thin and', worn-down. Theße should also be separated from their mates and given special feed and care.

Laying birds will uot do their best if in tho coiniiiic warnr mouths the hens are lorced to lay in nests or roost in quarters infested by' mites, or if they are preyed upon both day and night by Ulood-suoking body lice.- ..Taoso that are now either worn dowii iii strength and tlesh, or overburdened with superliuous fat, or forced to- remain under' any \one 01 these conditions canuot' do their best. Neither will hens under any of these conditions produce a profitable number of eggs or bo in lit- - condition -to furnish fertile eggs that Will hatch chicks that will live and grow.

Feed, care, and cleanliness this month and noxt are all important. If any Important' item Is overlooked now"" that neglect will show in tho results next winter, aIBO next spring aud summer. Breeders oau depend upon results during thoso sea/sous being .materially affected: by their work now, BBBuminff, of course, .that their' fowls and chickß are properly cared for later on. All young stock should now bo well cared for. BcHides those showing vory desirable colour and shape defects and serious disqualifications, it is very important- that all slowigrowinn: and slowfeathering chicks be culled. Never breed or* attempt to get eggs-, from Buck stock,. and, above all things,, never sell, such to. any customer. Youngetora showing loj weakncEß, twisted wing feathers; ■ or: any inclination whatsoever to lack, .of vitality should be sorted-.out-as Boon aß..possible!, Standard, sizfc, and shape, which can only bo. obtained throiißh the .inoitiußi of strength, vigour, proper housing, feed and care, nro necessary if yo» are to Bucread. Even if a man is not breeding poultry to exhibit or sell as breeders, and, on the contrary, is numborod ampjie tho huge army of strictly cBB farmers, he must select aud breed to a "standard' for size and shupo'.if success'.is. to- crown his offorts. ~,'-,,- _..' .... _. '~ Oroen food i» some form as well as sour milk or butter-milk should be supplied to both tho old and young stock if possible. H'goort grade of meat meal should also "bc'-s'upplied: ,Thcßo foods will develop better -'youngsters,- and- will ensure, tie adult- stock. being in far better condition this spring. . .