POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 245, 10 July 1920, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES

Hatch Early. i Early hatched pullets make the best I winter layers. Late hatched pullets do not, as a rule, lay in the winter. Eggs at this season are the profit-makers, therefore plan to have all chicks hatched early A. few months' difference in the date of hatohing may mean tho difference between good profit and a loss. Do not breed from l.any birds -which are not perfectly;healthy and vigorous. Uso only high producers and males from high produce™. _ Remcm ber that egg-production Is inherited, and that the male in more than half the flock. Recent investigations seem to show that it is tin male birds that transmit tho egg-producing powers to his daughters, and the female transmits-it to .her sow, therefore it is important that the male be from a high egg-laying strain. The best results will bo by the uso of one or two-year-ola hens as breeders, for as a rule they do not lay hoavlly during the winter months, and their eggs will hatch a larger percentage of good healthy ohicks. Good results can be obtained from pullets if they were early hatched and matured early, and have every indication of being good Droducers, but the chance for selection is not so great as is tho case with old henn. Eggß intended for hatching must receive good care while being kept. It is not advisable to hold eggs for more, than three weeks; the sooner they are set the hotter the hatch will be. Select eggs for hatching that are even and -uniform In size and shape. Discard all abnormal eggs, extremely largo or small, and odd shaped. Select eggs with a firm, even shell. Already some broedera are mating up, J»u.t ire think July early enough for any breed, with an assurance! of better fertility. . - - ; ' Hawkosbury College Averages, For the two months ended May 31 tho averages in the light breeds section at the Hawkesbury College egg-laying test ;were 122 per pen of six birds',-against 142 in the previous competition,, and: in the Heavy section 147 against 155 in the last year's test. The standard sections have suffered'heavily through one pen in, each not. having commenced, but with tho long ipefl they may so strong for the ensuing ■period. The light breeds for the two. monies have averaged but 96,' against 147, and tfle'heavios 105, lost year's average Wng '139. Prom so many being late in making a start it may be assumed they. were sent in too young.