POULTRY NOUS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4944, 26 February 1926, Page 1

POULTRY NOUS.

PICKING THE LAYERS* .

“New Laid.”

(By

in the Dominion.)

With the moulting season, and wnat is at the same time the culling season, now on its 1 way, the advice contained in the following article, which was written by Mr a South Australian poultryman, will not be out of place :—

“Ability to ‘pick the layers’ is one of the prime essentials of successful poultry farming. The need for that particular ability arises when one is ‘mating up’ preparatory to hatching operations, selecting pullets for egglaying competitions, or a general culling of the flock. ~ ■ “Firstly, I look for' 1 the bird with a good, smart, active appearance, moving about quickly, with a. sprightly wbjk—a bird that appears, to be constantly on the move, usually i n quest of some dainty morsel of food overlooked by her companions, or perhaps hunting insects. Such a bird is a worker, and scatters litter in a vigorous manner. T would stress that the dull, inactive, and lazy hen is seldom a good layer ; ceitainly exceptions are occasionally met, but only'in such rarity as to prove the general ’rule. “I now go to the head, from which point much guidance is obtainable. I look- for a strong beak, not too long, and nicely curved. Eyes call for par-, ticularly close examination, as one ca.n easiy fall into error in this, direction. I insist on two bold, bright eyes, with good sight in each. • Let me here sound a note of warning. Beware of greatly protruding eyest with glassy appearance, for in such birds the sight is usually defective. The comb should be of medium size and fine texture; Rattles and ear Jobes thin and smooth, like a kid glove; head long, with inclination to be lean a ( nd narrow at the back, and neck Sairly long. “For body points I look for width of shoulders and long back, with wings nicely clipped back, giving a slightly hollow appearance between shoulders. Tail to have a good oil valve, and full-looking—a small one denotes a dry skin. 1 like ,the pelvis bones to be fine, short, and not top far apart—the latter prevents sagging or going down at the back. Breast bone short, thin, and ' straight, although even a. badly .twisted breast bone has no (influence on laying abil-ity-all other things being, equal the bird with the latter will lay just as well a£ the. former. Skin of fine quality, with extreme suppleness from end of breast bone to pelvis bones. Feathers require to be narrow, short, and profuse, and also lie;flat on the bird—the latter is what is, commonly termed "tightness of feather.”' Legs fairly long, wide apart, and bayonet shaped.- Shank bones covered with fine, tight, close-fitting (scales. Feet with toes well spread, long and thin, with nice curve on nails —be careful to avoid short, meaty : toes with straight nails.

"The heavy eater, provided the main essentials are present, is usualr ly a good layer, but one can be 'tripped’ on this test.; If the birds' are in full lay, examine the crops as spon as they are roosted and select the ones with filled crops—the more tightly racked the better. About five hours later subject the crops of the selected hens to a furher test for those which have digested, their food; the fastest will usually be Jihe heaviest layers. Then again, the following morning, before any further food has been supplied, apply a further test by checking whether .all food has been digested and passed but of the crop. I have, known birds to have used up only abput one-half of their food and fill up again quite tightly ithe following night. The real eating capacity of such a bird is not what it appeals to be at first sight, and one is liable to err by application of. one test only. “It will be noted that'no reference is made to measurements between points. I , know that'there are some who attach importance to sudh tests, and who will not agree with’ me. I can only state that after clcsejy testing the measurement theory over a. perio.d of yeans I have satisfied myself beyond all doubt of the fallacy of looking in that direction for any guidance in picking the layers. , “The observant poultry farmer usually adopts the practice of what is termed “spotting” the layers. By that is meant the bird with that smart, active appearance and sprightly walk, literajly forces heirself to his special notice, and continues to do so day after day. In her he quicky sees the possibility of something the ordinary, and applies the other tests which appeal to him. Occasionally he is disappointed, for the said possibility fails to ‘check up’ in other essential directions, but the ‘spotting’ method is. sound as a starting point.

“Just by way of personal explanation, I desire to state, that the foregoing represents my accumulated Experience over a period of 43 years, and that what I ha/ve stated are ithe tests used by myself, .in conjunction with egg-laying records actually established at public competitions ,or home tests.”