POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

Some Astonishing Statistics

BREEDING FROM PULLETS

(By

"New Laid.”)

Records collected last year by the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station from the demonstration poultry farms of a number of States showed that 40 per cent, to GO per cent, of ready-to-lay pullets failed to complete their first laying year because of mortality and culls. In order to throw some light on the causes and remedies of this situation, writes V. G. Hanes in "Eggs,” a survey was taken of the records of certain unculled groups of pullets that had been kept at the station consistently during the previous twelve years. Although these particulars cannot be regarded as relative (to conditions here, they are nevertheless very instructive. For the period 1921-1925 the mortality was 13.2 per cent.; from 1925-1929. 38.4 per cent., and from 1929-1933 55.5 per cent. During the first period, hens were for the most part used as breeders, but for the last period the fowls were largely bred from pullets. The principal causes of mortality from 1921 to 1928 were colds, roup, and bronchitis, but from 1929 to 1933 the primary causes were paralysis, leucosis, fowl typhoid, and cholera-like diseases.

In order to estimate the effect of pullet-breeding on mortality two tests were conducted in 1931-1932, using hens and pullets respectively in the breeding pens. The first year mortality of laying pullets from the hens was 35 per cent, and from- the pullets 60 per cent. The tests were repeated in the following year when the gross mortality was 40 per cent, and 60 per cent, respectively. Fowl paralysis accounted for 16 per cent, of deaths among the fowls bred from hens, and 30 per cent, of those bred from pullets. From the experience gained from these experiments a new programme of breeding and rearing was introduced. Hens were used solely as breeders as they were free from, or more resistant against, the diseases which produced the 40 to 60 per cent, loss during the pullet year. Bacillary white diarrhoea reactors were eliminated. Ample space was provided for chickens and growers. A system somewhat similar to what is known in New Zealand as the intensive fearing system was adopted, a heated hoover and a cool well-ventilated brooder-house being used. The result of applying these rules available at the time of writing (only for the growing period of 20 weeks of age) indicated a mortality of 8 per cent, and practically no paralysis occurred, in contrast to the three preceding years, when the mortality among growing chickens and pullets was particularly’heavy and paralysis appeared at an early date. It is not often that the opportunity occurs of quoting figures which demonstrate so clearly the effect of pullet breeding in raising the mortality rate among the progeny. The importance of inherited resistance to disease is not always appreciated, and in breeding from hens that have shown their capacity to withstand infection, disease resisting strains can be established in time, provided of course that the general principles applicable to sound breeding are also followed.

Early Moulting Hens. Some hens may go into a moult just now but those tha_t do are mostly the poor layers. A hen, in order to put up a good tally of eggs, must lay well through into the late summer or autumn, hence it is that late moulters are regarded as somewhat abnormal layers. Many of these hens continue to lay through the moult, losing their feather’s and growing others very slowly. These hens, although desirable as layers are, generally speaking, very disappointing as breeders; in fact, many of them prove almost barren. Further, they generally lay such poor quality eggs during the season eggs are wanted for incubation as to be of little or no use for that purpose. Other things being equal, the best hens to breed from are those that moult out naturally during the autumn and take a fairly long spell from laying. An idea is held by some people that if hens moult early they will get over it and come on to lay in winter; odd ones do this but the proportion is so small as to be negligible. The chances are that hens that moult before February will not lay earlier than those that moult at the proper season. In fact many of them are liable to a second moult in the winter, and such will be off laying still longer. Generally speaking the very early moulters will not again be profitable and are, therefore, subjects for culling.

Thin Shelled Eggs. At the present period of the year when the majority of hens are giving a heavy egg-yield, the production of the shelled eggs is) a common occurrence, says the Chief Government Poultry Instructor, who adds:—The trouble is usually due to insufficient shell-forming material being supplied, or to the birds being over-supplied with rich foods such as meat, milk, meat meal, etc. As a preventive an ample supply of broken oyster or other sea shell should be available to the birds at all times. If this does not bring about the desired improvement the only safe course is to feed less of the forcing ration. Some people make the mistake of supplying broken shell or grit of any kind in a narrow receptacle into which the birds can merely place their heads. A much better plan is to place the material in A wide box, or even on the ground, so that the birds arc given an opportunity of scratching it about and picking out the pieces they like best. Especially is this necessary when both gravel grit and sea-shell are mixed together It must be remembered that the laying bird will consume more than double the amount of shell in proportion to stone-grit. Thus it will be seen that owing to the latter being in the way, and the birds being-unable to scratch over the water material themselves, they may easily be prevented from securing the necessary egg-shell-forming material so much required by them, especially during the heavy producing season.

Nasturtium Leaves a Tonic. “There is nothing 1 know of to equal nasturtium leaves as a tonic for poultry of all ages,” writes “The Scout” in “Poultry.” Young stock will liven up wonderfully after a few feeds of them, though I think the result would be a tendency to early maturity. 1 If the laying stock are slowing down, a couple of days’ course of nasturtium leaves will seem to double the egg-yield for a short time, but does not keep the supply going. But for a poultry pick-me-up and general appetiser there is nothing better. , The leaves may be fed whole or cut up if preferred. The plant grows in abundance without much trouble, will cover fences and stumps and make a good shelter in hot weather.

Value of Soaked Grain. In, a report of work done at the experimental farm conducted by the Scientific Poultry Breeders’ Association at Itudgwick, Sussex, it is stated that the feeding of grain just .germinated by soaking would give equal if not better results than would be the case with sprouted'grain. The report states:

Our correspondent proved.this,to be correct. In 1932 we determined to make a further experiment and endeavoured to discover whether the soaking of grain for twenty-four hours would give us better results than when it was fed in-the dry state, and equal to those of fowls to which sprouted grain was given. There seemed some reason to believe that too much importance was attached to the sprouting or germinating of grain. In the two years in which we have made these experiments we have found that •wheat or maize, goafced for twenty-four hours, the water then poured off and the grain fed in troughs tn the late afternoon, has given us equally good results as when the birds were fed upon germinated wheat or oats. The fowls remained in superb health except for a short period, when it was found that the soaked wheat pen began to exhibit symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. This was quickly over-

come by the addition of cod liver oil to the mash, and the pen finally finished with the highest average production of any pen on the farm, and both in the case of the cracked maize and cracked wheat the health of the fowls were excellent. This was after the confinement of the two groups of twenty fowls each in a section of a house 10 by 12ft., over a period of 48 weeks, the fowls being confined one month before the experiment began. It should be mentioned there is some economy in spite of the extra labour involved, for only 11 ounces of wheat or maize were weighed daily for each of the fowls, thus affecting a saving of half an ounce of grain per fowl per day. The experiment is to be repeated this season. Cheap Fowlhouses. Experiments with cement-washed sacks are reported to have brought into favour in Western Australia a cheap form of fowlhouse. This type of house, it : s claimed, is practically indestructible, and can be made, at a very small cost, by anyone who has a minimum knowledge of building construction. Large and small poultry-farmers, according to “The Australasian Foul-try World,” are adopting the cement-washed sack house. One very efficient breeder has erected a 60ft. x 30ft. brooder-house by this method which is reported to have stood very heavy weather, and to be giving every satisfaction.

In the construction of these houses sawn uprights are used with a galvanised iron roof, although in smaller sheds even cement-washed bag roofs are found to be satisfactory, providing that a good fall is allowed. The sacks are carefully ripped open and tacked on to the frame with heavy clouts, say 5-Bin. in length. The joints or seams of the bags are made to lie as flat as possible, and a taut job is essential.

The cement paint is mixed as follows: —l} gallons water, 121 b. cement, 21b. powdered lime, 11b. salt, and Jl'b. powdered alum. The salt and lime should be put through a fine sieve to get rid of any lumps and should be well mixed together. Now add the water, stirring slowly, then follow with the cement, stirring well into a thin paste. Finally add the alum and the mixture is ready for use. It can be applied with a stiff brush by painting it on the sacking, first 'on the outside and then on the inside. After the initial wetness has disappeared, but before the wail is completely dry, apply a second coat to the outside. When this second coat is dry the wall will be found to be quite taut and hard. Some further coats are an advantage. Naturally the more coats the wall receives, in reason, the more indestructible the IXOII will become. Six coats in all will make a perfect job, although the large brooder house mentioned above only received three coats in all. Such houses are claimed to be vermin proof and entirely weatherproof. In one ease the farmer knocked a hole in a wall to allow his birds out on to a green-feed plot, but later wished to close the hole up. He did this by cementing a bagpatch over the hole which not only effectively closed it but it was scarcely possible to tell where the hole had been'. Another farmer built a cement-bag room on to his house, calcirained it nicely and made a very presentable room at a cost of less than £5 complete with a door and a window.

Houses constructed as above would certainly be an improvement bn some of the ramshackle apologies for houses which are often made to , serve as poultry houses. It ie absolutely impossible to keep clean many of the houses which are dignified by the name of “poultry-house,” and the only wonder in many is that birds give any return at all considering the conditions under which they are compelled to exist. General Notes.

There is little fear of over-feeding hens that are laying and getting plenty of exercise.

Texture and thickness of shell are inheritable factors, and no bird showing a weakness in either of these directions should be bred from.

Dropsy in poultry is a disease for which little save “topping” can be done. Since the cavity usually fills again, even topping is of little use, except to prolong life, but probably with little or no production.

Until people have actually seen eggs candled under a proper candling lamp, individually, they never realise how many eggs are not really first-grade quality. Such is the opinion of Mr. E. Goldsmith, expressed at a conference at the Midland College, England.

The change from the growing ration fed to young stock to a laying ration should be made. gradually.

It is sound policy to feed birds early in hot weather. Layers which are kept waiting for their food until the sun has gained strength will seek shelter after feeding, whereas after an early feed they will show activity by scratching round the yard.

According to Mr. E. T. Hainan. Cambridge,' the quantity of white increases in large eggs, but the yolk, which contains the greatest concentration of nutriment, does not vary very much.

A laying hen suffers discomfort when she has to lay in a hot, S stnffy nest-box. A mixture of limewash and whiting on the outside of the nests will reduce interior temperature several degrees in very hot weather and will repay the labour involved.

When a broody hen is used for mothering artificially hatched chickens she should be allowed to sit on the nest for at least ten days before giving her the care of the young birds. Trouble usually follows if a hen is given charge of young birds a day or two after her broody period commences.

The accommodation available'on most farms just now will be taxed to the utmost, and in some cases there is sure to be overcrowding, with its attendant evil effects. Every bird that is not likely to show a profit over its keep should be culled. With al' unprofitable stock out of the way there will be less risk of overcrowding, and there will be a saving in food costs, as well as more room for the young pullets.

'lf fleas get a thorough hold in nestboxes they can be effectively countered by creosoting the nests inside and out. taking special care to get into every joint and crack. Even then a second coat a week or two later is often necessary.

The undersized pullet 's often a very good layer, but it is a dangerous policy to use this type as a breeder as body size and size of egg will certainly be affected in future seasons. It is better to be satisfied with fair average flock returns and have stock with size 'and stamina than to attemiit to perpetuate a flock of undersized layers.

Fresh eggs are sometimes found to be somewhat heated. They may have the appearance of in<*ubated fertile eggs. This heating, according to an American authority. is caused by the hen holding the egg inside her body after it is completed and ready to be laid. The body of the hen. is about 107 degrees F., so that if an egg is held for a few hours it may become heated. Deterioration of a bodyheated egg is very rapid. • • •

A common mistake made when selecting cockerels to be kept for breeding purposes is to choose at an early age the sprightly, showy type of bird before one which is slower in maturing but which

may grow into an infinitely superior codk. The precocious cockerel ’may attract the inexperienced man, but the old hand knows better and will-pass over immediate flashness for a well-grown,_ large-framed youngster which will be in his prime when wanted.

Milk in any form, with one exception, is an excellent article of diet for poultry of any kind or age, says the “Australasian.” Whole, skim, sour or powdered milk, all are good, but it must be born in mind that sour milk is of two kinds — that which “turns” in a natural, way, and that which goes sour because it has been put in a dirty receptable, and this latter form is the one taken exception to. All utensils in which milk is . placed should be kept scrupulously clean, and scrubbed out immediately the birds have finished with them. Powdered and whole milk can be fed ad lib, but too much sour milk is .apt to scour the birds —10 per cent, of the total weight of the mash leaves a safe margin.

Even though a fowlhouse may have an open front, provision should be made for a row of 2in. holes along the top of the back wall. This permits the circulation of fresh air and yet avoids any direct draught upon the perching fowls. With the warm weather now being experienced it is wise to make provision for this essential comfort and so eliminate the dead air space which during very hot periods causes discomfort to the fowls, which seek the laying shed for shade.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Massey College Results Following are the 41st week’s results of the egg-laying contest conducted at Massey College:— SINGLE PENS. Section A. J. A. Annan, W.L., 0—172; C. 11. Barker, W.L., No. 1, 0—1’54; No. 2, 0—125; W. 11. Barker, W.L., No. 1. 1—97; No. 2, —1154; No. 3, 4—178; Mrs. R. R. Cannon, W.L., 7— 234 x; Emery Bros., W.L., 5’—177; E, M. Galvin. W.L., No. 1, —88(1; No. 2, 5—140; No. 3—sBd; H. Hutchinson, W.L., 5—186, C. W. L. King. W.L., 5—169; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 1, 5—201; No. 2. 5—183; No. 3, —18 d; No. 4, 5—213; 11. Moreland, W.L, 5-155- W. J. McAloon, W.L., 6—147; A. ,T. Shailer, W.L., 4—173; H. Williams, W.L, No. 1, 3—l7Sx; No. 2, 6—IGOx; Whenuap.u P.F., W.L., 5 —210; Mrs. E. Youngson, Bk.L., No. 1, —99 d; No. 2, 0—172, D. Kruse, Anc., No. 1, 1—118; No. 2, 2—138; F. Lang, Anc., No. 1, 4 —153; No. 2, 5 —160; J. Smith, Anc., No. 1, 5—179; No. 2, 4—192; 11. Williams, W.L., No. 3, 5—189; A. Strawbridge, W.L., 4—193; A. R. Watson, Br.L., 3—164. j Section B. Miss E. T. Somer, R.1.R., 7—114: K. Mouldey, R.1.R., 5—126; W. A. Larsen, 8.0., No 3, 4—144; T. Dowthwaite, IV.W., No. 3. 6 —172; W. A. Larsen, 8.0., No. 1, 3— ISOx; No.-2, 5—203; Mrs. Waddell, 8.0., 7—ISOx; T. Dowthwaite, W.W., No. 1, 4— 88; No. 2, 2—161. TEAM RESULTS. Section C. C. W. L. King, W.L., 155, 192, 175, 147, 154, 191 (32), 1014, A. J. Davey, W.L, 193, 153, 179, 179, 151, 151 (23), 1006 S, D. Morris, W.L., 160, 186, 49d, 181, 201. 218 (21), 1004. M. Stephenson, W.L., 130, 110, 207, 151, 153, 191 (30), 951. J. Graham, W.L., 152 x, 138 x, 164, 147, 145 X, 174 (16), 920. P, B Harrison, W.L., 188, 118, 160, 125, 169, 135 (22), 895. Mrs. D. A. Stewart, W.L., 154, 70d, ISOx, 117, 191 x, 163 x, (16), 875. Emery Bros., W.L., 72d, 175, 201, 94, 136, 188 (22), 886. H. Polson. W.L., 157, 94, Hid, 157, 15., 181 (25), 857. J. T. Hazelwood. W.L., 179, 203, 9d, 158 x, 100. 143 x (17), 852. Mrs. G. Hillman, W.L., 177, 126, 174, 168, 30, 168 (19), 843. E. B. Wainscott, W.L., 135, 91, 88, 132. 135, 200 (23), 781. A. Strawbridge, W.L., 134, 141, 160, 19d, 149, 173 (23), 776. 11. A. Lucas, W.L., 143, lOld, 84,167,101, 156 (16), 752. E. D Wilkinson, W.L., 129, 113, 96, 135, 143, 132 (15), 748. W. N. Laws, W.L., 142, 151, 108, 74, 125, 144 (28), 744. ,T. Smith, Anc., 133, 108, 125, 20, 136, 113 (20), 641. F. Lang, Anc., 117, 129, 70x, 85, 103, 60x (24), 575. Section D. Miss E. T. Somer, R.1.R., 201, 210, 201, 109, 204 x, 146 ( 25), 1071. F. A. Dewburst. R.1.R., 142, 159 x, 87, 193, 190. 237 (19), 1016. W. A. Larsen. 8.0., 116, 239, 76, 194 x, 200, 6Sd (18), 893, W. E. Jones. R.1.R., 156, 175, 35d, 178, 171, 154 x (21), 869. "x” Disqualified egg wei&ht clause. “d" Bird dead. Taranaki Competition Following is the result of the forty-first week in the seventh competition of the Taranaki Egg-Laying Competition Society: White Leghorns.—E. Clare, No. 1, 3—131;’ No. 2, 4—171; No. 3, 5—180; G. L. Gaylard, No. 1, 4—191; No. 2, 4—189; No. 3, 3— 169; Mrs. R. R. (Cannon, No. 1, 6—213; No. 2, 6—240; No. H. Moreland, No. 1, 4—187; No. 2, 4—229; No. 3, 0-404; D. M. Peek, No. 1 5—040; No. 2, 6—140; No. 3, 5 —150; D. M. Peek, No. 1, 4—153; No. 2, 4—160; No. 3, 0—173; Burbank Poultry Farm, No. 1, 0—181; No. 2, 4—234; No. 3, 0 —152; A. Moreland, 4—187: Miss E. Ladd, No.. 1, 0-035; No. 2, 5-031; J. A. Wills, 3—177; Hall Bros., 5—185; S. Pope, 4— P. Freeman, 4—189. Mlnorcas. —J. T. Brice, 4—149; Miss D. Swadling, No. 1, 5—165; No. 2, 0—105; No. 3, 4—loB. Brown Leghorns. —Mrs. W. Bushy, 2— 166: Hall Bros., 4—157. Black Orpingtons.—Mrs. F. A. Warren. No. 1. 4r—146: No. 2, 0—57; No. 3. 4—183; Mrs. D. M. Wadell, No. 1, 3—113; No. 2, 1—103; No. 3, 4 —206; Thos. Dowthwaite, No. 1, 1—150; No. 2, 8,0—143; No. 3, 15, 0—205; W. A. Larsen. No. 1, 5—194; No. 2, 4—156: No. 3, *—ls7; Mrs. S. Patterson. No. j, 4-179; No. 2, 3—132; No. 3, B, 0—139; J.

Gregg. 3—154; Mrs. V. Hall, 3-1.77; E. J. Poswlllo, 2—184; Miss D. Swadling, 4—101; H. W. Smith, 2—1’42. Wlilte Wyanilottes.—G. L. Gaylard, No. 1, 3—161; No. 2, 2—145. Light Sussex. —41. Kirkwood, 0 —68; G. Prestige, 2—137; G. Prestige, 2—69. DUCKS. Fawn Indian Runners. —Stan Beauchamp, No. 1, 6—lOS; No. 2, M, 0—160; No. 3, M, O—UM. Fawn and White Runners.—L. P, James, No. 1, M, 0—03; No. 2, 6—136; No. 3, 5—174; Mrs. F. A. Warren, No. 1, 5—138; No. 2, 2— No. 3. M, O —150; Thos. Dowthwaite, No. 1, 7—-130; No. 2, 6—226; J. O. Law, 3White Runners. —'Mrs. D. M. Waddell. M. o—l Os. Khaki Campbell.—'Mrs. D. M. Waddell. M, 0—,109; C. Cleaver, No. 1, 2—172; No. 2, M, 0—83; No. 3, M, 0—124. LIGHT BREED: TIIIR'E>E-BIRD TEAMS. Total W’kly to Ttl. date.

1 2 3 E. Clare. W.L 3 4 o 12 4S2 G. L. Gaylard, W.L 4 4 3 11 o33 Mrs II. It. Cannon, W.L. 6 6 17 W7 II. Moreland. W.L 4 4 0 S 520 1>. M. Peek, W.L.. No. 1 .. () 10 539 D. M. Peek, W.L., No. 2 .. 4 4 0 8 402 Burbank Poultry Farm .. 0 4 0 4 507 Miss 14. Swadling, M o 0 4 9 428 HEAVY BBH0DS: BLACK O'ftPI.NGTON'S. Mrs. F. A. Warren .... 4 0 4 • 8 3S(> Mrs. D. M. Waddell .1.. 3 1 4 8 Uw— TJios. Dowthwaite .... 1 0 0 1 499 IV. A. Larsen . 1 4 * ; i 507 Mrs. S. Patterson 4 o 0 450 HUCKS. Stan Beauchamp G 0 0 (J 459 L. P. Janies 0 (> o 11 403 Mrs. F. A. Warren ■' 1) 7 , >‘ S, ) C. Cleaver • > O’ 0 ■» 379 •SignMies bird dead. B—JJroolly M o n<l t i ng. M—