POULTRY NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20137, 30 March 1929, Page 23

POULTRY NOTES

[By UTiUTY-FAftCY.]

“M.A.D.”—Yes. I think you Mould find a demand lor birds properly tatted tor the table, particularly for capons. Unless you are thinking of going into the business in a largo way there will be no need, so tar as fattening is concerned, to purchase a • fattening machine, but if you think of caponising you must procure a set of kite proper instruments. The birds you intend to fatten should he placed in coops furnished with false' bottoms of wire netting of Jin mesh. This is necessary ■for sanitary reasons, as the droppings will then fall through into a tray, which can ho removed daily ami cleaned. The birds should be able to get: their food from outside troughs, and it should consist of meal mixed with milk. Ground oats, oatmeal, and oat flour, mixed with ground barley, moistened with milk, are said to be excellent for the production of fine white llesb. Milk is essential to the process, and it may be sour or sweet, but not sour one day and sweet the next; keep to one or the other. Sour milk should be just sour, not decomposing. After the birds have eaten all they .require Iroin the trough the food should bo removed, and not left to sour, and it is a good plan to then remove the bird from the coop and cram some more food into it by hand, twice a day, with prepared pellets of food. The pellets should bo about 2iu long and -jin wide. The bird to be crammed is held firmly, and bis beak opened, a pellet is dipped in milk or water, placed at the back of the mouth, tlie beak released, and the pellet is thou stroked with the linger down the oesophagus into the crop, and so on, until the crop is well tilled. Another method recommended (short of machine or force feeding) is by the aid of a small metal frame, with a specially rounded shank—this is pushed down the gullet. The food is then made of the consistency of thin cream and poured into the birds’ crop. Not only is there a great gain in weight by this method of feeding, but the general appearances (finish) of properly crammed chicken is vastly superior to that obtainable by any other method. 'The gain in weight achieved at a moderate cost, and the economic value of the

fowl is greatly 7 increased by n course of systematic fattening. As oiic writer •savs: “.It-is really extravagant to sell half-fatted .Jowls, it costs a certain amount from Is to Is 3d to raise a large-framed chicken fo the age of tWclyo to fourteen weeks._ If sold in the rough state and weighing, say, 3Jib, it will bring perhaps 2s Gd. Alter three weeks’ fattening, at a cost of, say, Sd, the same chicken will weigh at least 51b. and sell for 4s or more.”

A breeder in Southland tells me that by caponising alone, and without special cooping and fattening as described above, he gets, by using special breeds, even better prices than have j list been (|noted. At a -meeting held by the Dunedin Utility Poultry Club a number of birds were shown by the members, and Mr 11. ,L. Sprosen was asked to give a lecture explaining the utility points ol the exhibits. He started by expressing the opinion that it bad been proved that no one could definitely select a layer by its points. However, be was prepared to explain the , points which indicated good laying type—viz.: Fine head points, bold prominent eyes, depth between the pelvic and breastbones, width between the pelvic bones, tightness of feather, line legs, and bright eyes showing constitution. He then explained that a bird might be a good layer itself, but it it were undersized it should not he bred from, as it was evident it had run its course. The breeding .bird .should,.be well up in weight, and show every sign ol strength* and verility. He explained that, while it was impossible to invariably pick birds actually by sight, that, in many eases it had. been clone. He related instances in which Mr Drown, tiie chief Government inspector, and , bimacl. were able in the case of trap-nested birds, without reference to the records, to pick out the best layers, and at the poultry yard of Air Thomson, ol Maori Hill, out of about fifty layers lie had been able to point out the best layer. These instance; went to _ show that, though you cannot definitely pick a layer, yon ran, as a rule, get_ pretty near the actual facts, and sometimes be absolutely correct. .It was bard to explain. how it was doiic. but experience helped one to know the value of points. Quite a number of questions were asked by members and answered by the lecturer. , , • The Dunedin Specialists Clubs Young Bird Show, held last week - , is regarded as a great success both as regards its exhibits and financially. A verv full report repeating the nil-round finality of the fowls, pigeons, canaries, children's pets, rabbits, olid rookery classes lias already appeared in the general columns of this paper, consequently a very few and brief remarks in this column are necessary. Perhaps some will consider that they are not necessary, but there arc others who think otherwise. Grom an old laneier’s standpoint the show, was a particularly’ good one, a few pens were empty owing to the deplorable flood, but most classes were filled.

"White Leghorns.—Cockerels: The winners were very good. _ The first prize bird is a fine bird, a little weak if anything in front, otherwise a fine specimen. The second is not so good in head points. The third hns_ fine body, poor corn’.;. Pullets made a firm, strong class, rather bard to pick the leaders. Some are rather Minorca iti type, but these were not the ■winners. Minorca* (small class).—"Winning Cockerel: Nice bird, rather on the young side, but should improve with age. Pullets; Small class, but good. Winner a real beauty; best bird in the light breed (Utility). I. should explain here that the Wti'ity classes are here being referred to. The second fails only in length of body, and squareness of shoulder, but is a trifle better in head points. 11 bode Island Reds. —Fair class taken all round. Cockerels hardly ready. Winning Pullet: Fine type, good even colour, but light in wing markings. Second and third are very good average birds. Huff Orpingtons.—One of the best classes sefen for a long lithe. The winning pullets outstand the rest. I lie cockerels were a very fine lot. Black Leaf -10, recommended for killing lice, is. recommended by, the Government Chief Poultry Instructor. ‘The Reliable Poultry .Journal.’.says; “ Black Leaf JO, a tobacco by-product containing approximately 40 per cent, of nicotine sulphate, is now regarded ns an effective means of controlling lice on poultry, according to the Missouri College of Agriculture. Directions for use state that it should be applied to the top of roosts with a paint binsli, or spread by an oil can shortly 7 before Fowls go to roost. Fumes given off by the material penetrate the leathers and kill the lice. This method is be- , coming popular because the fowls need i not be handled and their egg produc- | tion disturbed.”

The poultry raiser who does not see some advancement in his poultry each year is either at the ton of his profession or is standing still at his work. Ofhen-times the improvement is not very pronounced, but it is there, and the owner knows it. lie knows that back of greater efficiency as layers there must be inherent strength and power—for example, the capacity to produce eggs in large numbers. If the poultryman recognised that constitutional vigour is a more' decidedly marked feature in his yards than ever before, lie knows that Ids methods are right and that his returns will correspond. Where there is no progress there is stagnation. SEPARATION OF MERCURY. At the beginning of the incubation season, many poultrymen find that they have thermometers in which Hie mercury has divided into two or more parts. The problem is to get this merenry hack so the thermometer can he osed again. The manufacturers ol both long stern and wet bulb thermometers advise that the best way of reuniting mercury in these thermometers is: “ Hold the thermometer in an upright position with the bulb over a .slow heat. Run the mercury up in the tube until the separation disappear* in the slight enlargement at the top of the tube, being very careful not to fill this enlargement completely, as to do so will break the thermometer. “ Immediately after this separation disappears, remove the thermometer bulb from the heat, continuing to hold the thermometer in an upright posi•tion until the mercury recedes in the tube proper. Slight 'tapping on tb© thermometer case with the fingers during this operation will assist in joining the mercury.” • ACTION OF POISONS. REMEDIAL TREATMENT’. It is not often that fowls are poisoned. bat it is just as well fo know how to act should any of the birds be-

Contributions and questions for answering should he addressed to “Utility-Fancy,” Poultry Editor, ‘Aar’ Office, ...and. not later than Tuesday of each week. “ Utility-Fancy ” will only answer communications through this column.’ Advertisements for thus column moist tie handed in to the office before 2 p.m. ca . Friday,

come a fleeted in that way. An American journal states that the way in which paste poison acts on poultry depends on what the paste is composed of. Different poisons cause somewhat different symptoms, although seme ol the symptoms of poisoning are th-s same for all poisons. Arsenic, which is present in certain rat poisons and in arsenical sprays for trees and fruits, causes a secretion ot large quantities of saliva; there is choking and hiccoughing, and the bird is very nervous. The bird has little or no appetite, droppings are thin, ami often contain hioed, and there is an unsteady walk and trembling and convulsions. The special symptom of copper poisoning is a blue or green diarrhoea. Copper is obtained by ltie fowls in mixtures used in spraying fruits and vegetables. Lead ami zinc poisoning come from eating jvaint skins, and the symptoms do not different greatly from those of copper poisoning. Phosphorous aim strychnine arc both obtained from rat poisons, the former causing weakness, rutiled feathers, and loss of appetite. Strychnine causes paralysis. The neck is twisted back so that it is often held over the rump. It is difficult to identify the various poisons by postmortem examination unless the materials are found in the digestive tract or a chemical analysis is made. Inflammation of the intestines and stomach is the most common post-mor-tem symptom. Congested intestines and kidneys may also be found, hut these are primarily in the case of ptomaine poisoning (from putrid meat and caicases of dead animals), and mercury poisoning. In the latter case the kidneys are filled with a white crystalline deposit. Treatment for poisons is seldom worth while, as death usually occurs so quickly. Immediate removal of the cause by careful examination of the yards and removal of any poisonous materials is the best practical procedure to adopt. The following treatment is recommended in cases where the trouble located early:— Wash out the crop thoroughly by (pouring warm water down the vhroat. One person should hold the bird between the knees, extending the uec-K to its fullest extent, and holding open the mouth; an assistant should pour the warm water down the throat until the crop is almost full. , Then the bird .should be held upside down and the water squeezed out. This is to get rid of any poison that may remain in the crop.

To overcome the evil effects of the poison interna Hr a strong dose ot castor oi!. should be given. ll' the ■ lowl appears weak, as it most likely will, a few- drops of port wine or brandy should be given. When the nature of the .poison is known, an antidote should be obtained from tbo chemist. He will be able to advise you what to give. If tiie nature of the poison he not known, the white of an egg and olive oil mixed m equal proportions will prove useful. TWENTY-FOURTH FAFANUI EGGLAYING COMPETITION. Leading Fens, Fiftieth Week Ended A!arch 16 (dot) daysL Test I.—J. H. Shaw Memorial Challenge. Light and Heavy Breeds. Black Orpingtons. Week’s Weighi, Eggs. oz. drs. Tl. T. H. Dalziel ... '-I f» 1 I H. J. Ballin ... G ‘ 13 S 170 White Leghorns.

Green Bros 0 0 D 26G Test lE—White Leghorn Single Hen. Owner Enters 3 Birds. Leading Aggregates.

—Single Hen Test.— Owner enters 3 birds. Test Ilf.—A.O.V. Light Breeds, Except White Leghorns. Highest Aggregate. Anconas.

Test V.-—A.O.V. Heavy Breeds Other Than Black Orpingtons. D. P. O’Hern

Test Vl.—Flock Teams. Six Birds. White Leghorns. Week’s Weight. Eggs. 07.. clrs. 11.

Test VIE—-Single Ducks. Owner Eulers 3 Birds. Highest Aggregate. df Pekins.

L. J. KnoMies n 10 9 29A K. J. Ross a ];{ 274 Master Logins "... ;s r. V2 271 G. V. Crouch •> r> 209 A. C. Goodlet 4 8 r, 208

tCl CZ H 6 0 6 ~o s. y. s. H H. Williams m 1108 234 — 804 Green Bros. 287 238 250 — 775 H. Harrison, No. j : 279 242 247 — 768 J. W. Thomson m 290 238 — 701 ,1. M. Campbell 261 240 247 — 757 A, C. Goocliet ... 22:( 260 207 — 757 H. Harrison, No. 2 255 242 254 — 751

r- tl cr 6 6 6 y y. y, ■ r8. H. .Mitchell 1 f)G 1% ](io - oo? ft. Pearce ItiS '177 ] 75 — o20 Test 1V.—Bine k Orpingtons Only. J. M. Campbell 182 2:16 274 — GD2 A. ft. Leckie ... 211 2-12 207 — 060 A. M. JSspie ... 1S5 235 212 — G32

(WAV.) 223 178 202 - - 603 J. Kingslaml (R.l.R.) 214 153 221 - - 588 J. R. Griflcn (L.S.) 244 122 220 - -585 c, , Bartlev (R.l.R.) ] 73 173 1 !J3 - -539 B . G. Corbett (W.R.) 158 221 157 - - 53G

H, Harrison ... 21. .i i :i 1,550 !•'. Mjmvi-' ... ... 21 •lb ];{ 1,442 H. W. Jk-rk ... Bi ;;5 in 1.408 (4. Sknrr ... ... 20 48 lb 1.01)6 -1. Bobbitt ... ... 18 42 2 1.086 A. Wool lev ... 2b 51. 11. 1 ..342

f— SI s: d 6 6 y y r -1 J. W. Thomson 235 291 — 526 H. A. Daw her 227 195 — 422 Mrs A. Little ... 195 215 — — 410 Indian Runners. J. W. Thomson 222 302 303 — 827 H. A, Dawber 191 306 178 675 A. C. Adsett 2S7 199 174 — 610 R. W. Hawke 291 302 — 596 C. CL Barnett 291 281- — — 578