POULTRY NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES

By “UTILITY-FANCY”

GENERAL PRINCIPLES, There will be many thousands of chickens hatched out this month, but the hatching season does not end with September, though it is generally accept*! that it is the best month. What is more, there are many poultry keepers who have not yet started breeding—j.e., their breeding pens are not mated up. It is not too late to caution such people that whether the stock is intended for utility or exhibition breeding, the primary requirement is perfect health and abounding vitality. Only birds thus endowed should be selected to breed from. We have heard so much of late of disease that we must needs bo more careful. This law applies equally to male and female stock. Health and strength mean much to the success of poultry enterprise. Birds for breeding' purposes should conform with reasonable accuracy to the size stipulated in the standard of the breed kept. Every bird must be carefully examined for physical defects and deformities Roach backs,_ crooked toes, wry tails, and slipped ufings, as well as pearl byes, are all hereditary,’ and should be avoided. Under-weight' birds and birds which have laid thin-shelled, wrinkled, and deformed eggs should not be bred from. If fresh stock has to be purchased go to a good breeder before his breeding cockerels have been picked through. You will have a better choice, and a better selection from which to satisfy your individual requirements. Remember that the male bird is half the pen. DO BATTERY BIRDS COST MORE TO FEED? ‘ The Smallholder ’ (England) asks this question and answers it with the word, “yes,” but argues that “this ultra-iqodern method of keeping layers should provide a higher net profit than can be obtained from birds on range.” It continues in the following terms: — “ Before one adopts a new system of poultry-keeping it is necessary to look into costs. One of the most interesting and most popular discussions regarding fowls in laying batteries is whether they cost more to feed, and, if they do, whether the profit from eggs is less or more than those kept on free range. “Birds used in-batteries can obtain no foods in a natural way. They all ' have to be supplied by the poultrykeeper. It is reasonable, then, to believe that the birds will eat slightly ■ more food. “ In the Cumberland and Westmorland battery laying test for the last period 53 birds cost 36s to feed. At the same counties, laying trails in grass runs 173 birds cost £4 16s Id. This means that the battery birds cost 81 d per bird to feed for one month, while the outdoor birds cost nearly 6Jd per bird per month. . * “ Birds in batteries are protected from every type of weather—they are not put off lay by heavy winds or checked by severe frosts or given chills from drenching rain. “ In order to overcome the cost (according to these Reports) of lid, each * bird will have to lay twd eggs more per month, or 24 eggs per year, and it is our opinion that this will easily be done—and more besides. “ It is therefore wrong to say that the slightly extra cost of feeding is a damning argument against laying batteries. The gross profit is the return from eggs above the cost of feeding, but the ,net return has to include labour, depreciation, and interest on capital. Birds in batteries definitely require far less labour. “ The 53 birds took only 15 hours for feeding, cleaning out, and egg collecting for the month.” It would be interesting to know what the caretakers of our New Zealand laying competitions have to say with respect to the labour involved in feeding the single-penned birds under their care, compared with the labour in feeding the flock teams of six birds. It seems hard to believe that there is less labour called for in separately supplying the daily mash, grain feed, green stuff, water, grit, etc., to, say, only six caged birds than in performing the same service to a flock of six. SIMPLE TRAP NEST RECORD. “R.M.C.” (‘Poultry World’) remarks'that it is peculiar hoiv the most simple ideas can help in one’s work. The simplest he has ever seen, so he says, was that for automatically adding up the number of eggs laid by an individual fowl day by day. Imagine a typical record sheet. The recorder usually puts a stroke for an egg in the appropriate date column. Then normally at the end of the month one labourously adds up 18 to 24 strokes. Instead of all that trouble why not use figures—l for the first egg of the month, 2 for the second, and so on until at the end you find birds credited automatically with the total laid? This :gets over the man who thrusts an egg card proudly under your nose and says: “ What do you think of that?” when all you can see is a forest of strokes. COST OF FOODSTUFFS. It is, generally speaking, a fact that poultry wheat costs more in New Zealand than it does in Australia, and in view of that fact one can understand that satisfaction is being expressed over the action of the New South Wales Egg Marketing Board’s announcement that it hopes to be in a position to hold the price of first-grade aggs at a minimum of Is 2d a dozen, and so

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

enable the industry to meet the alleged serious position, arising as a result of the higher wheat price now ruling. New Zealand poultrykeepers will bo interested in the following remarks of Mr Jas. Hedlington, of Hawkcsbury College, New South Wales. Writing in the ‘ S.M. Herald J ho says;—“This is the most heartening information conveyed to the industry for a long time. If the board’s hope is realised and the prices of foodstuffs go no higher, the industry will at least be saved from the worst effects of the rise in prices of foodstuffs. If, however, they do go higher, or the board fails to hold the present level of prices, l then the industry will bo in a bad nay. It is worthy of note that it is now six years since the minimum price for first-grade eggs held over the flush season of production at Is 2d a dozen. Previous to that year Is 4d and Is; 6d a dozen had ruled in that season for a number of years; the cost of feeding had, however, been higher. ’ “ For the season 1929-30 the cost of feeding a, hen in New South Wales was 9s lOd; then came a drop to 7s 3d, followed by 5s 9d, 7s, 6s 3d, 5s _9d respectively. Last year, however, it took an upward turn, and was 7s 2d per

hen. AH the years are calculated on exactly the same basis—i.e., feeding at the Hawkeskury College on a simple ration composed of bran, pollard, wheat, and maize, with the addition of 0 per cent, of meat meal in the morning mash, and on foodstuffs at wholesale rates, plus freight and cartage. Should the price of wheat hold at its present level, even if pollard and bran go no higher, and with feeding only one feed of grain each day the prospect is for a feeding cost of about 8s 6d per hen for a year. This is on wholesale rates for food and without any of the extras now thought by many to be necessary to good feeding. “ To look back over 30 years and recall the cost of .feeding and. the returns per hen over that" cost is interesting at the present juncture. It can be said that while the prices received for eggs have not always been higher than or exactly concurrent with th cost of producing them, nevertheless, with fen exceptions, the connection is unmistakable. This is particularly the case during the 12 years, 1919-20 to 1930-31, inclusive, when, with the exception of the year 1928-29, the cost of feeding ranged from 9s Sd to 12s Bd. Yet, nine out of the 12 years gave a return ot 9s 6d and more per hen; and the . =r three years from 8s to 8s 3d. The past four years show the lowest return in the 32 years during which records nave 1: an compiled—viz., 4s 6d to 6s per hen. All these calculations are oh exactly the same basis, and from official figures, and not those of any particular farm. The significance of these figures is that under a higher cost of feeding, poultryfarmers have been better off than under a low cost. One thing stands out clearly—that, notwithstanding the artificial expedients which from time* to time have been applied witr a view to ensuring prices in accordance ith the cost of production, supply and demand are the ruling factors in the problem. Just as the years that gave a high return from eggs resulted in something like a boom in poultry farming, so the effects of low average prices ruling during the past four years have caused many to leave the industry and fewer to take it up. This position ras, of course, been accentuated by a return to better times giving a prospect of more remunerative employment. “ Exactly the same factors are ruling

in Great Britain, and, judging by reports, followed by the same results It was assorted a couple of years nark that the earnings per heif had got down to about 33s over cost of ‘ceding, a return on which it is impossible to run a commercial poultry farm for any length of time. The result is now ncing shown in a cessation of expansion and a falling-off generally in the number of birds being kept there. The win Idwide rise in the, price of wheat will undoubtedly still further accentuate the conditions, making for diminished production everywhere. That factor, presages a return to higher prices for eggs there; and since the price of eggs in Sydney during the flush season of production at any rate is now ruled by London parity, a return to higher prices hero is a natural expectation.” FEED FOR LAYING. The laying vitamin must contain the necessary albuminids, carbohydrates, and fats in corerct proportions. Too much albuminid food will , sause the birds to lay shell-less and thin-sheled eggs, and will set up other ovarian troubes. Too much starchy food will

cause indigestion, liver complaints, and get the birds into an over-fed condition. Once a suitable mash is obtained do not begin to endeavour to improve upon it. A slight change can Jjc made, such as increasing the maize meal during cold weather, but it should be done gradually. Moatmeal should not be given in excess if the fowls are to remain healthy. WARM MASH. Particularly in cold weather it is a good plan to servo the wet mash warm. The birds like it so, and consequently eat more When fowls are in full. lay they require plenty of food, and it is true economy to serve it to them. “ Warm ’’ does not mean “ hot,” however, and poultry keepers should note the fact, for hot food may prove harmful As a matter of fact, it is bettor to serve'the food in the cold state, and do so regularly than to alternate warm food with hot. GREEN FOOD. Intensively kept birds benefit from meals of fresh freen food. That which is natural for fowls' to get when enjoying theih liberty must be beneficial to those kept or reared intensively. That answers the question as to whether or not confined stock should bo given green food. That which is natural for fowls to get when enjoying their liberty must be beneficial to those kept or reared intensively. That answers the question as to whether or not confined stock should be given food. Watch young stock when you put a bunch of watercress in front of them, and see how they enjoy it. Watercress, mustard and cress, sprouted grain, voung grass, duckweed, tender dandelion loaves, lettupe, kale, and almost every form of greenstuff will be eaten with relish Such raw green food should bo fresh and tender, and be cut up very fine to avoid crop troubles, especially with growing chickens. Cabbage is enjoyed —but, being a coarser leaf, lar"o pieces must not bo given. The stems of brussels snronts can be sliced through so Hat the birds can cat out the centres. Paw succulent green fond aids the health of poultry of al hums, and is beneficial to the blood stream in warm weather. Manv small poultry keepers who are not well placed for other kinds of green food rely on eb’ekweed, dandelion leaves, and grass. Onion tops also have medicinal values. MASCULINE-HEADED PULLETS. As the pullets approach the age of laying one should be on the look-out for any winch appear masculine about the hcadpoints. These can be indifferent layers—if they produce any eggs at all.’ Such freak birds redden up first ami are likely to bo .selected for a laying

test because they are forward in headpoints The cause may bo trai-ou to a tumoui on the ovary, as a result of which this organ does not function. Each year there are a number of cockheaded pullets sent to laying trials, but they could all havo been located had their owners avoided coc-ky-iooking birds which reddened up without tho corresponding development behind. These freaks do not fill out at abdomen, and so the pelvic bones do not widen out to tho full extent. There is also a masculine expression about tho eye;—‘Poultry World’ (England). • SEXING GOSLINGS AND TURKEYS. Goslings should bo sexed early and senarated in order to prevent the young ganders from monopolising tho food troughs and savaging the more timid females. At ad ages it is possible to examine the sexual organs. The fluff is turned away from the vent, and with gentle pressure the fleshy part is protruded.. e The male organ is easy to distinguish, but there is no need to press to expose this. Tho fleshy part just inside the vent is convex and firm in the male, and concave, soft, and of a darker shade in tho female. Whhen to ganders are eight welts of ago they' are more masculine in appearance, have a thicker and longer neck, and a deeper skull. At a later age, if driven into a corner, the ganders will remain at the outside of the flock to protect the geese and they will lover their heads and hiss. Some people remove the bird they wish to sex, and place it out of sight but in hearing of the other birds, which will call to it. The voice of the gander will be far more definite and shriller. — 1 Smallholder ’ (England).

32nd ANNUAL PAPANUI EGG-LAY-ING COMPETITION. Leading Pens, Twenty-third Week, Ended September 11 (160 days). Test I.—J. H. Shaw Memorial Challenge. Light and Heavy Breeds. Week’s Weights.

Test 2.—White Leghorns. Single Hens. (Owner enters three birds.) Grand Totals. S. F. Marshall 373 L. Brumby 359 A. C. Goodlet 354 W. M. Evans 338 A. D. L. M'Glintock 328 G. Millar 327 Test 3.—Black Orpingtons and Australorps. (Owner enters three birds.) Grand Totals. Mrs G. 1). Hollyman (A. 0.) ... 341 W. Megget (A. 0.) 294 J. M. Davidson (A. 0.) 290 Mrs W. A. Coombes (A. 0.) ... 290 G. D. Hollvman (A. 0.) 287 Miss F Kerr (B.O.) 286 Test 4.—Any Variety Light or Heavy Breeds, other than White Leghorns or Black Orpingtons. Week’s Grand Totals. Totals.

Test 5. —Single Hens, Light or Heavy Breeds. (Owner enters six birds.) Grand Totals. L. G. Ancall 602 J. IT. Jones 596 G, H. Holly man (A. 0.) 568 T. S. Hove 565 A. 1). Uinull 56J Green Bros 545 Tost G.— Single Duck Test. (Owner enters three birds.) Week’s Grand Totals. Totals.

Totals. oz. drs. Tl. p. A. Hall ... G 12 1 126 T. 11. Robertson , .. 4 9 4 126 J. Campbell (A.O.) 4 10 3 124 W . A. Coombes (A.O.) ... ... , ... G 14 14 124 W . E. Ward ... . ... 5 10 7 121 c. Bartley ... 5 11 4 121

A. D. Fabian (L.S.) 5 0 5 236 A. S. Cooper (L.S.) 5 5 G 211 T. B. Grant (I! .1.1’.) G 5 5 202 E. R . Buckley (Il.I.R.) ... ... 7 4 5 185

J. W. Thomson (K.C.) 5 7 7 451 G. Wright (K.C.) 7 7 7 433 F. Ashworth (K.C.) 7 7 7 380 Miss X. Dale (l.R.) 7 7 7 376 J. W. Thomson (l.R.) : -. 7 C 7 358 Mrs C. J. Callings (K.C.) 7 6 6 357 A. Cossons (K.C.) 6 6 5 354 Test 7.—Flock Teams (six birds). Light or Hear y Greeds. Week’s Weights. Tl. to Totals. oz. drs. Date. G. H. Bradford (X,o. 2) 30 65 8 585 W Turner (Xo. 1) 30 Cl 15 573 W Turner (Xo. 2) 27 57 10 571 G. H. 15 rati ford (Xo. 2) 23 47 13 505 W. K. Ward (2 dead) ... 22 45 13 478 J. L’ggius 30 67 8 471