POULTRY NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4948, 8 March 1926, Page 1

POULTRY NOTES.

CULLING.

(By F. C. Brown, in the Journal of Agriculture.)

March is a busy month on the poultry plant; Tor at that period much important work must be carried out. In the first place,* the main culling of the flock should be undertaken, and it is ; of the first importance—with wheat at its present price—that every inferior bird be Weeded out. For those who have not studied laying form throughout the season some general points may be stated that will serve, as a guide towards culling out the poor layers. Other things being equal as to the time of hatching, and when the flock has 'received uniform treatment in regard to feeding a<nd general management, it will usually be found a safe cours|e to discard the birds that moult first, and to retain the late moulters either for breeding qr laying purposes. Other indications' of poor laying power are over fatness (above the standard weight of their breed), well-kept plumage, and any signs of weak constitutions!, such as a dull, sunken eye. loose feathering, sluggish appearance, lack of abdominal development, and anything denoting unhealthy condition. In the case of the .breeds with yellow legs, such as Leghorns, Plymouth Rocks, etc., it will generally be found at this; season of the year that those which have lost the deep yellow colour—the legs having become more or less white and bleached-looking—are the best layers and the -strongest birds in the flock, whereas those with legs df a rich yellow are the dronesi. It is well to reiterate, in view of the high cost of food, that no sentiment must be allowed to enter into this essential work of weeding out unprofitable stock. A great weakness on some plants is the practice of holding'on to old male birds'. Very often the general appearance of these is sufficient to indicate that they will be little, if any, use for another breeding season. Such stock are a constant drain on the profits. If a male is not worth using again he should be got rid of as quickly as possible. It should be needless to mention that all surplus cockerels that have attained a, marketable age-r-four and a half to five months —should be marketed without delay. Not only does efficient culling save food without reducing profits, but it also does away with overcrowding, one of the worst, faults, connected with poultry keeping. - THE WINTER LAYERS.

It is now full itime Uor.ajl pullets to be placed in their permanent winter quarters, aS it is always best to have them well accustomed to their surroundings before they reach the laying point. Any change of quarters or food when .they are nearing that stage is liable to' cause a false moult. In addition 'to providing uniform conditions' in this respect, special care should be taken for the, comfort of the stock, so that a maximum egg yield may be produced. Everything, in short, should be done to prevent the birds receiving a setback. An abundant supply <® sound grain material, a daily ration of both green and animamli 'food, also grit, crushed oyster-shell, and provision for dusting places are of.' great importance. Also the quarters should be kept clean, and the floor well covered with scratching material, in which the whole grain ration should be fed to induce exercise. Above all. care should be taken that the, birds are not compelled to sleep in .a draught, or colds will soon appear at.the expense of €ne egg yield. Present, indications are that fresh eggs will.cbmmah’d a; high level of value during the coming winter. Thus any time spent now in making the - pullets, comfortable and keeping them in a .healthy, thriving condition should be well repaid. ! THE BREEDING HENS.

The importance must,be' emphasised of selecting next season’s breeding hens before, .the moulting period generally sets in. Indeed,, if this important work is delayed now it will be impossible for it to be carried out to the best advantage .at a latter date. This is because if it is left till the flock has fully moulted the signs indicating that a hen has laid well during the past season (and is most likely to do so in the future) will have vanished. In choosing .the best hens to breed from it is the long-steason layers—in other words, the late moulters —that are most desired. This, however, is not to say that all late moulters and heavy layers are necessarily ideal breeding sjtock. Something more is required. In addition, the bird should conform to the utility standard requirments o'lj the breed it represents, both in breed type and weight. That is to say ,it (should be a slightly larger specimen than the average bird kept in a laying flock. The great essential of all is the possession of undoubted' constitutional vigour, sign-posts to which are a clean face, bold prominent eyes, tight feathering, a well-developed crop, and an active businesslike appearance.