POULTRY NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES

By “UTILITY-FANCY”

THE ONLY FIRST-CLASS TABLE BIRD.

A correspondent to an English poultry journal, having claimed that the Sussex breed is “ the only firstclass table fowl,” was taken to book by Mr Charles Prior, chairman, old type Orpinton Club, who wrote as follows:—“We have in the old type white Orpington a breed which is equal to any of the Sussex breeds, and perhaps slightly better than the light variety of that breed. “ In the old type buff Orpington we have a variety which is definitely better than the light Sussex, by reason of the superior texture, quality, and colour of the flesh.

“ Further, in the old type Orpington breed we have no problem of a minimum, or maximum output of eggs to solve. We have laying test scores ranging from 200 to over 250. put up by duly authenticated 61b pullets, extending over the past 10 or 12 years, without placing their tip-top table value in the slightest jeopardy. ■ “All of which is not to deny that the Sussex is quite a good table breed, but to point out that it is not the only one, nor yet even the best.” NESTS. Fixed nests should never be used, owing to the difficulty of keeping them clean and free from parasites which thus find a harbourage. For small flocks single nest boxes with wire netting for bottoms are recommended. When numbers are greater, allowing one nest box for each three hens, an excellent arrangement is to build these in one or two rows of four or more, the lower tier on a shelf raised above the ground, and the flat top of this tier forming the landing plac§ and bottom of the upper row. In either case the higher row should have a sharply sloping cover to prevent birds perching on it. By limewashing the nest boxes regularly, and replacing the nesting material, straw’, hay, or chaff, all risks of parasites should be avoided. Nests are always better where there is not too much light. In some forms of portable houses a row of rests is fixed on the outside with a sloping lid, with access for the fowls from the interior. In that case the bottom of the boxes should be hinged to facilitate cleaning. BROODING CHICKS IN HOT WEATHER. During cold weather, provided a good heating unit is used, there is really no difficulty' in supplying the chicks with sufficient heat. The outsid temperature, even though it may be below’ 40deg does not seem to have any detrimental effect, provided that once they feel cold the chicks can creep back- tq warmth. During October and May; 'when, the weather sometimes becomes warm and sultry, it is often found that too much heat is being supplied, and as the air circulates less frequently the young chicks confined to the neighbourhood of the house do not do well. There is also a tendency for them to get away from the house, or warmth of the brooder, and to crowd in any odd corner. During the day when the temperature rises, often to between 70deg and 80deg, the wick can be turned down, but must be turned up again at night if the night is cold. As the chicks get older, say, about five weeks old, the heat may be cut off during; the hot day, but must be put on at night. In the late season—November and December —chicks can almost do without any heat at the age of six weeks, but care must fie taken; let +he weather conditions bo the guide.

A JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS,

The flags of 41 nations participated in the sixth world’s congress at Leipzig, flying alongside the swastika of post-war Germany. Amongst the papers read at the congress was one on vitamin investigations which the ‘ Poultry World ’ (England) summarises as follows :-!■

“ Vitamin investigations take up a considerable proportion of the various reports, and Rumanian scientists report on the avitaminosis of the B complex. The omission of this group, which as yet is not properly understood, gave rise to digestive disturbances which quickly grew in intensity and eventually affected the whole nen us system. The symptoms began to appear after two months. In the early stages treatment with yeast extracts was satisfactory. “ Quality in feeding stuffs has occupied a prominent place also, and those person feeding meat scraps will be helped by a paper by Schroeder, Redding, and Huber. Their work was dealing _ with the formation of free fatty acids, and they have found that although a low free acidity gives no assurance that meat scrap is desirable, high acidity immediately indicates an inferior product. “We have certainly not heard the last of eggs produced with specially high quantities of iodine. A report from the Imperial Station in Japan shows h.w the iodine content increased following the feeding of Kelp meal. In the white this element was recovered in aii inorganic form, but in the yolk it was, for the most part, in an organic state. “ Four professors of Torino in Italy have also been interesting themselves

Contributions and questions far answering should be addressed to “ Utility-Fancy," Poultry Editor, ‘ Star ’ Office, and received not later than Tuesday of each week. " UtilityFancy " will only answer communications through this column. (Advertisements for this column must be handed in to the office before 2 p.m. on Thursday.)

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE MOULT,

in this question, and have been studying it from the therapeutic angle. Experiments were made in 1934 and 1935 with 19 children, and the result was that an increasing physical power of resistance against infection was demonstrated. The children also increased in weight. It is particularly interesting to note that the efficacy of the treatment was not entirely dependent upon the quantity of iodine taken.” OBSERVATIONS ON FOWL PARALYSIS. T. Bailing, M.R.C.V.S., and Miss G. H. Warrack, B.Sc. (England) reported that:— As a result of experiments and observations, we draw the following conclusions. 1. Lesions of lymphomatosis may be found in practically all tissues, including those of the nervous system. Lesions may occur only in the nervous tissues or in other tissues, or in both in the same bird. 2. Intestinal parasitic infestation plays no essential part in the causation of lymphomatosis in fowls. 3. Clinical and historical evidence of lymphomatosis may be found in fowls at ages varying from 2 to over 27 months. In the older affected birds, there is evidence that the condition did not occur at an earlier age. 4 There is some evidence that the injection of tissues from infected birds into healthy normal stock may play a part in transmitting lymphomatosis. Much seems to depend on the type of bird injected; some strains appear to be more readily “ susceptible ” than others. In some birds the injection of tissues from healthy birds seems to be followed by the occurrence of lymphomatosis. 5. There is no evidence that lymphomatosis is transmitted by contact of potentially affected chicks or affected adults with healthy young chicks. 6. Breeding experiments carried out in 1934 lead us to conclude that : (a) Incubation and rearing play no part in the causation of lymphomatosis, for all hatches were treated similarly and the incidence in them did "not differ' materially. (b) The four cockerels we used with the 60 pullets seemed to play no significant part in the resulting incidence in their progeny. (c) Groups of pullets selected for apparent “ susceptibility ” and “ resistance ” to lymphomatosis failed to furnish clear evidence of these qualities in their progeny. (d) Individual pullets seemed to have a considerable amount of influence in the fate of their progeny. (e) Pullets in whose ancestors lymphomatosis has existed to a marked degree do not necessarily produce affected progeny. _ (f) Pullets in whoso ancestors there is no evidence of lymphomatosis may produce progeny in which the condition occurs to a marked extent. (g) Infected dams do not always produce affected progeny, (h) Sister pullets (“resistant” or “ susceptible ”) do not necessarily all behave alike in the production of affected or healthy progenj. (i) Slating of father and daughter or brother and sister is not followed by a greater incidence of lymphomatosis than when the birds are crossbred. (j) Pullets producing most cases of the disease in their offspring have remained healthy, and birds in all stages have failed to transmit the disease. These findings are obviously of a limited value, but suggest that a typical virus is not the cause of the condition.

(k) _ Lymphomatosis seems to be a condition associated with individual birds.

7, Experiments on lymphomatosis must always be observed over a lengthy period, for we have shown that birds may develop symptoms and lesions at all ages even over two years old.

It is probable that culling by experienced poultrymen accounts for the low incidence on some farms, and future work should include an intensive study of the types of birds most suitable for inclusion in the breeding pen.

Alan W. Greenwood, Ph.->., D.Se. (Scotland) in the course of a lecture said:—

Moulting in the normal male and female of the domesticated fowl shows a distinct sex dimorphism; in the male it takes place earlier in the year and is a muen more gradual process than in the female. It is suggested that reproductive activity inhibits the onset of the moult, and only when this ceases, or continues at a lower level, can the casting and renewing of feathers occur.

That a definite moult is found in the capon much earlier in the year than in cither the male or the female supports this view of an inhibiting action of the sex glands. Breeding investigations concerning the time of the moult, and with special ref ex ence to females which fail to renew their plumage during a two-year period, strongly suggest a genetic basis for the phenomenon. Since control of sexual function is under the direction of the anterior lobe of the pituatary gland it is imposi decide whether both of these glands or one alone is responsible for the inhibition of the moult during the period of sexual activity. Experiments have shown that an extensive moult may be induced in fowls by hyperthyroidism, and it is therefore possible that the thyroid <r] a nd is the casual organ involved in feather reP2 acei P ei However s dependence on the pituitary for its maintenance and function does not allow r to understand the problem of the moult completely without'further research.

SUBSTITUTES FOR GREEN F' JD. Dr H. Lang (Germany) is reported as follows:—-

“ Skimmed milk may be used in most diets as a substitute for green-food, but it is desirable tha- the hens should supplement their food supply on range In the case of breeding hens such a supplement is even indispensable with regard to fertility. Skimmed milk has. moreover, a beneficial effect on mortality and especially on diseases. (Green cabbage is to be preferred to 'carrots as a suitable feed for laying and breeding hens. Sprouting oats are just as good for laying hens as for breeding hens, and give the best results as to hatchability, but are not so well supplemented by the food taken up on the range as skimmed milk. “ Ensilaged grass may be used as supplementary feed for laying hens. Like skimmed milk,, it reduces mortality and the incidence of diseases, but should be given with caution to breeding hens. The feeding of hay seeds and ground lucerne hay both to laying and breeding hens is recommended. The feeding of turnip-rooted cabbage gave remarkably good results with laying hens, whereas the percentage of fertility in breeding hens was not quite satisfactory. A mixture composed of green foods and substitutes may be recommended without reserve, both for laying and breeding hens.” PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS. C. F. Heuser (U.S.A) said:— With commercial casein as the supplementary source of protein, the following conclusins were reached when comparing rations containing 12, 14, and 16 per cent, protein:— 1. The 16 per cent, protein ration resulted in satisfactory ogg production, body weight, and egg size. 2. The 14 per cent, protein ration gave satisfactory egg production but did not maintain body weight at all times and was not conducive to best egg size.

3. The 12 per cent, protein ration was not sufficient for satisfactory egg production, body weight, or egg size. Experiments were carried on for two years, using single comb White Leghorn pullets. Three groups of 16 birds each were fed on rations containing respectively 12, 14, and 16 per cent, protein, lllach group received the same basal ration consisting of corn meal, wheat middlings, ground oats, minerals, and cod-liver oil. Commercial casein was used to bring the protein up to the desired level, making the necessary adjustment with corn starch.

32nd ANNUAL PAPANUI EGG-LAY-ING COMPETITION. Leading Pens, Twenty-second Week, ended September 4 (153 days). Test I.—J. H. Shaw Memorial Challenge. Light and Heavy Breeds. Week’s Weights. Totals, oz. drs. Tl.

Test 2.—White Leghorns. Single Hens. (Owner enters three birds.) Grand Totals. S. F. Marshall 355 L. Brumby 340 A. C. Goodlet 337 F. C. Lines ... ... 324 W. M, Evens 321 A. D. L. M'Clintoek 309 G. Millar ... 308 Test 3.—Black Orpingtons and Australorps. (Owner enters three birds.) Grand Totals. Mrs G. IX Hollyman (A. 0.) ... 325 J. M. Davidson (A. 0.) 287 J. Campbell (A. 0.) 279 W. Megget (A. 0.) 277 G. D. Hollyman (A. 0.) 270 Mrs W. A. Coombes (A. 0.) ... 275 Test 4.—Any Variety Light or Heavy Breeds, other than White Leghorns or Black Orpingtons. Week’s Grand.

Test s.—Single Hens, Light or Heavy Breeds. . (Owner enters six birds.) Grand Totals. L. G. Ancall 571 J. H. Jones 564 G. D. Hollyman (A. 0.) 540 T. S. Dove ... 534 A. D. Russell 534 Green Bros 520 Miss H. Keddell 515 G. Millar 514

Test o.—Single Duck Test. (Owner outers three birds.) Week’s Grand Totals. Totals.

Test 7.—Flock Teams (six birds). Light and Heavy Breeds, Week’s Weights. Tl. to Totals, oz. drs. Date.

T. R. Robertson 6 13 12 122 J. Campbell (A.O.) o 15 1 120 P. A> Hall 6 ' 12 7 120 W. A, Coonibes (A.O.) 3 7 12 118 W. P. Ward ... ... '6 12 6 116 C. Bartley 5 n 10 116 A. C. Goodlet 6 13 14 113

Totals. Totals. A. T>. Fabian (L.S.) 7 0 1 226 A. S. Cooper (L.S.) 5 6 6 195 T. B. Grant (R.l.R.) E. R. Buckley 5 4 4 186 (R.l.R.) 15 6 169

J. W. Thomson (K.C.) 4 7 7 4.'32 G. Wright (K.C.) 7 7 7 412 F.AsInvorth (K.C.) 7 G 7 359 ZMiss K, Dale (T.R.) 7 7 0 355 Mrs C. J. Ceilings (K.C.) 6 6 5 338 A. Consem (K.C.) 7 7 5 337

G. H. Bradford (No. 2) 29 03 7 555 W Turner (No. 2) ... ... 30 61 12 544 W Turner (No. 1) 32 70 0 543 G. H. Bradford (No. T> 28 ■ 58 0 482 W. E. Ward (two dead) ... 22 45 13 456 J. Liggins 30 67 8 441