POULTRY NOTES.

Shannon News, 21 August 1925, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES.

WHEN TO SET. EGGS. Some writers of poultry notes are ever looking at the .poultry question from the market-egg viewpoint, very often overlooking several other important features. For Instance one writer emphasised that August was the most valuahle month in the year in which to set eggs, and that eggs so set would produce the most profitable stock. That is to say, chickens hatched between the last week in August and the middle of September make quicker growth, became larger and more vigorous breeding stock., while the pullets resulting from these early hatches are likely to be laying more or less consistently, when eggs are dear in the autumn and winter months. Now, while this is certainly true, there are certain other aspects which require consideration. Firstly, all the hatching cannot possibly be done within such a limited space of time—all the season’s stock could not be hatched within two or three weeks, and everybody would be asking at the same time for their chicks. Lastly, there comes the question of whether all the breeding stock is likely to produce the full quota of eggs desired within that time to fill file incubators. Besides, the time at which the eggs are set depends upon the purpose in view. When it is intended to use the resultant stock for breeding purposes in the following season the chicks will have to be batched early, say, between the end of June or the beginning of July. The sooner the better, because by the following August the stock is at its best for breeding purposes, more especially if the birds are given free range. On the contrary stock hatched towards the end of September are too young and frail to breed from in the following season—they are good for market eggs, but cannot be relied upon for producing vigorous stock. Undoubtedly, August is the keynote of the. whole hatching season. Whenever possible, it is preferable to use yearling males and females, to ensure strong, vigorous progeny, but if adult birds are not available on both sides have a fully-developed active cockerel and the age on the hens’ side. The offspring resulting from either of the above matings will be truer specimens of their breed, will mature better and feather quicker than those bred from young stock, with the further advantage of becoming better breeders when they attain maturity. The one-year-old stock is excellent, but for regular breeding, good, matured hens mated to yearling cockerels will give the finest results. The continued use of pullets and cockerels' spells chicks of low vitality and weak constitution, which means the youngsters’ powers of disease-re-sistance are sadly vitiated. During the past few years we have passed through a period in which line breeding (or in-breeding) has at times been overdone. More especially is this applicable to heavy eggproducing strains, where the utmost in grit and stamina is all-important, but where, more often than not, the breeder has been seized with an obsession to continue breeding exclusively from the highest producers, irrespective of how closely related the mated birds may he. The usual result of such a policy is weak chicks and heavy losses. Given chicks, resulting from the mating of vigorous breeders, that have been well-hatch-ed, and carefully reared, the losses (barring accidents) should be practically nil. If you are suffering bad losses, and your rearing methods are satisfactory, look tq your breeding pens! BROODER EQUIPMENT. The wastage in chicken life, brought about either by neglect or inability to provide proper brooding equipment, probably results in the greater number of failures of which the poultry industry, hears from time to time. The ability to successfully raise a season’s batch of chickens, both as to numbers and advanced development, in addition to a minimum of loss, spells the difference between mediocrity and satisfaction. It is. sometimes pointed out by the sceptic that someone or other has been making big strides with very make-shift brooding facilities, but possibly the owner has never divulged what losses his crude equipment has entailed. Good equip rnent is essential to the rearing of early chickens, as the spring weather is invariably erratic, and uniform brooding conditions are of vital importance. Then there is the construction of the brooder house to be considered. A good many beginners apply the same principles to. the construction of their chicken-houses, as to their own dwelling—it must be different from anything they ever saw. Most of the ideas, contained in any of the better poultry journals, as to a brooder house, bear the scars of an experience that could tell of meagre results and vanishing hopes until the finished idea was evolved. The plans of the man who has made a success are often worth copying. CHICKS. Like human babies, the smaller the chicks the more are they in need of rest and sleep. After alloing them a good run and scratch followed by a healthy meal—put them to bed. Never allow them to wander at will, but keep them well under control, not forgetting, incidentally, that their sleeping quarters must be quite secure from the raids of cats, etc.