POULTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 435, 31 January 1912, Page 7

POULTRY.

HOW TO MAKE A NEST. When a hen steals her nest she usually selects a sheltered spot and one where the soil is fairly moist ; frequently., however, she is found sitting on eggs in very unlikely places. We came across a nest not long ago on a rafter in a cow byre, in which case there was practically no moisture except that in the atmosphere, but all the same ten lively chicks were hatched from fourteen eggs. This is a state of affairs sometimes found, but when preparing a nest it is advisable to follow the rule and not the exceptions. There are two or three points that should be borne specially in mind. In the first place the basis of the nest is best composed of moist earth ; th's may be ordinary loose earth or else a -sod cut the size of the box, and hollowed out on the under side so that when turned over the upper surface is saucer shaped. This should bc> covered with a sprinkling of short broken straw. Hay is a bad nesting material, for it not only retains the heat, thus making the lower part of the eggs nearly as warm as the upper, but it is a good medium for breeding vermin. The box should be well ventilated in order to give sufficient air to the growing embryo within the shell. PORTABLE POULTRY-HOUSES. Whenever possible movable poultryhouses should be used in preference to' permanent structures, for the former type possesses many distinct advantages. In the first place, the initial expense of the house is no greater, and the capital expenditure for wire netting is saved. At present prices this effects a considerable economy. In the second place, the manure is deposited on the ground just where it is required, thus making use of this valuable material. Again, if floorless houses are employed, all labour involved in cleaning is done away with, and all th€ manure is utilised. Lastly, the benefit derived by the fowls themselves is very great, for when wandering over pasture or plough land, they are able to gather a large amount of that natural food which is so beneficial to them, and which reduces the food bill. In the spring and autumn the natural food amounts to about two-thirds or threeqnarters of the total quantity of food they require. THE ANCONA FOWL. While the Ancona is not a particularly popular variety, it is pretty extensively bred in many parts of the country, both for its utility and fancy characteristics. In many respects it resembles very closely the Minorca and the Leghorn ; as a matter of fact, it is generally believed that the Ancona either is descended from the Leghorn or else that these two varieties had a common ancestor. It is about twenty-five years ago since the first Anconas were imported into this country, but it was not till 1898 that a special breed club was formed. Unfortunately, the :lub has passed into the entire control of fanciers who regard economic qualities as of small importance, and who, to some extent, have damaged the value of the breed from a utility standpoint. The Ancona is a non-sitter, and is among the best egg producers we possess. The eggs are large, averaging well over two ounces each, and they are white shelled, but unfortunately they are of rather; poor quality. Since the richness of an egg is never taken into account when determining its value that is not a matter of ;reat moment. Ancona chickens are precocious, and can look after themselves at a very early age, being vigorous, active, and rapid growers. The pullets mature early, and it is no uncommon thing for them to commence laying when oniy four or five nonths old. They are not particularly good winter layers,, producing the bulk of their eggs during the spring and summer. The greatest admirer of the Ancona caniot claim ;hat its flesh is of very good quality n fact for table purposes, it may be said to be most unsuitable.

In all respects, save one, the general appearance of the Ancona is very similar to that of the Leghorn ; the joint in which it differs is that it :s not so deep nor so prominent in the breast, giving it a somewhat slighter appearance. When the Ancona was first introduced the legs vere yellow, mottled with black, but :here has been a tendency to elirninite the black. The beak is long and iine, yellow in colour ; the head is small ; the comb large, and the wattles fairly long ; the bark is round, the wings of medium size, and the body somewhat wedge-shaped. The plumage of both esexs, excepting the cock's tail, should be brown-black, 3ach feather being tipped with creamy white. The cock's sickles arc white with black tips. The weight of the adult male is six tt>., and of the adult hen 5 lb.—"Farm and Home."

Exercise is everything where there is no other way of generating heat. Keep the hens working for their Jiving. This is best accomplished by feeding grain in deep litter. At the evening feed the hens may enjoy the luxury of a feed trough and go to roost with a full crop.