POULTRY-KEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4548, 9 April 1923, Page 1

POULTRY-KEEPING.

CARE OF THE PULLETS. On all well-managed plants the general weeding-out of unprofitable stock will have been completed before now. ' This should enable the pullets to be provided with plenty of house room and be made comfortable in every way. For many weeks to come it is the pullets that must be depended upon to fill the egg basket. It should hardly require emphasizing that for them to do their best during the forthcoming season everything must be in their favour. The young birds should now be well settled down in their permanent quarters, as any change made in .this, direction just when they are on the point of laying or when they have commenced to lay is merely encouraging them to moult with the adult birds. Any change of diet will also probably have this undesirable effect. Uniform feeding and management is not. only one of the secrets of preventing a false pioult,' but it encouiages a bird to attain its maximum of production. The best example of thi s is conveyed by the egg laying competitions, where the one diet is used practically from start to finish. While the food ’should be uniform in character it should also be fed with a libera] hand. Once the laying period commences there need not be anj' danger of the birds being overfed. Remember that, sufficient food is required not only to keep the birds in good physical condition, bat also for the production of eggs. The morning mash may consist of one part by measure of good-grade wheatmeal to two of bran, or, where a good quality of pollard is available,, two of this to one of bran. In each case it should be moistened with milk,, meat soup, or boiling water, and mixed to a crumbly condition. Cold water will do for moistening purposes where milk or soup is not available, but by using boiling water the mash is made more appetising, and consequently will be better relished by the birds. Thon, to secure a good winter egg 1 yield, animal food in some form is imperative. Where boiled meat is available this should be introduced iii*o the ration by degrees up tp, say, loz a day for each bird, preferably fed separately. In the absence of meat a good grade of meat-meal should be used. This may be included in the mash by degrees up to 8 per cent, of the entire mixture, while, in addition, some may be placed in a separate hopper and left for the birds t,o pick at all times. If ovarian troubles occur, this indicates that the ration is of too forcing a nature ami that the amount of animal food should be reduced.

Equal parts of wheat, oats, and maize make a good evening meal. Where it is observed that the birds are leaving any one particular grain, this should be given in a reduced quantity. It is a good plan to giv? more at, this meal than the birds require. Then, with the grain being fed in deep litter, the birds will be induced to exercise in the early morning, and thus keep warm. Exercise is an essential for the maintenance of good health and a heavy egg yield. Do not. forget green stuff, such as chaffed lucerne, clover, watercress, etc.

To sum up, draught-proof houses (but with a u abundance of fresh air, well sheltered runs, green food, clean water, grit, and a- generous supply of food (with a proportion of animal matter) are indispensable if (fie pulIds are to do their best. In view of the present rising egg market, it will pay to give the pullets the best possible care and attention. THE BEDDING COCKERELS. It is now full time that the final selection of cockerels should be made for next season’s breeding pens. In connection with thig‘ important work the necessity of choosing only birds of undoubted const.it,utioh cannot be overstfessed. A specimen may exhibit good type, size, breed-points, <c„ and have ever such a pedigree of performance behind it,, but if theie is the slightest evidence of a weak constitution it should be rejected. Constitution should cetrainly be given the first consideration, but laying type, size, breed-points, and a knowledge of the birds’ ancestors must be taken in conjunction. Never be tempted tp pick as a sire a very early maturing specimen,, as such seldom or never grow to a desired size. To mate such stock invariably means a weedy progeny and unsatisfactory egg production. It should be ever remembered that the male is more than half the flock, and that if profitable progeny are to be produced none but the best males should be bred from. When the final selection of the best specimens has been made, they should be provided with a free range under the most, natural conditions possible. The latter point is one of the secrets in building up bodily vigour. As to the work of selecting breeding stock, the novice would be well advised to secure a copy of the “New Zealand Utility-poultry Standards,” and to follow the plates and particulars contained therein. A thorough study of this work will serve as an excellent guide to the desired type of bird —both male and female to retain for breeding purposes. In addition, it will enable the novice t,o select the most desirable specimens for the utility classes al poultry shows. Copies of the Standards are obtainable from the Publisher, Department of Agriculture, Wellington, at a cost of 3s each, postage free.