POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) Some poultrykeepers are often at a loss as to how to administer cod liver oil. The oil can be mixed first with a given quantity of bran, which mixture will keep for some days. Very little oil is necessary to cause a crumbly consistency to the bran, a portion of which can be added daily to the ration. If given with grain, the ration should be left for a day or so; or until the oil is fully absorbed. Fanciers who show a good deal like to top off their birds in this way. For chickens such a mixture is invaluable. Birds with plenty of skim milk require very little, it' any meat meal. To feed both in excessive quantities will cause scouring with consequent loss in production. It is time to select breeders. Most birds either have moulted or arc now having their annual rest. A general survey will reveal the birds most likely for breeders. It would be a wise procedure to have a larger number than are actually required for the pens. From these the final selection should he made. If the flock has shown a good average production during the season all that will he necessary will be the choice of the birds which handle well and yet are devoid of fatness. In this way, also, other slight deformities will be found. The important consideration is to get the birds with unquestionable stamina and vigour, ff individual records have been kept all the better. Leg and eye colour, gait and balance of individual birds, tightness of feather all are minor considerations in the final selection. The important thing is to get under observation what appears to be the pick of the flock. Separately penned, they will get that special attention necessarv to breeders and a little extra freedom. All this counts. Many' poultrvmen find it difficult to got enough hen eggs for their early hatches. This is because they do not " begin early enough to prepare their birds. A potato grower the other, day said he had turned late seed potato varieties into early producers simply bv beginning early enough to prepare his seed. He showed evidence also of having done it. Much the same applies to preparing breeders for the" important work they have to do. Begin early. CANARY AND CAGE BIBD NOTES. An English breeder with 80 youngsters from 12 pairs of budgerigars finds be has only six bens ; 72 males for one season is extraordinarily good. He attributes bis success to the use of seed soaked in halibut or cod liver oil. If the former is used, being very potent, a lesser quantity is given. Plenty of seeding grasses is given, also chick weed whenever available. Breeders of canaries arc for ever trying to evolve now colours; black, brown and red have bad their devotees. Now comes a breeder who wants a chocolate colour, and be lias every hope be will succeed. His special fancy is the Border Canary, and already lie has bad great success in producing white and blue varieties. This season be has secured 22 of tlie white and blue types. The following letter appears in Cage Birds. \Y. E. Brooks writes: “Readers may lie interested to learn that .L am sending six pairs of Yorkshire canaries to New Zealand this week. T shall be forwarding a similar consignment within a few weeks to the same country. My customer has asked me not to insure them on the journey as be is quite sure that they will arrive safely. The receipt of. orders from overseas speaks volumes for the health and vigour of our bobby and the quiet confidence of fanciers in other countries who refuse to lie disturbed in spite of the war.” Many will be sorry the name of the buyer is not mentioned. It would be interesting to know.