THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 478, 6 October 1928, Page 28

THE POULTRY YARD

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.)

SEASONABLE THOUGHTS

WE have been complaining of too much rain and sighing for the fine days and drying winds that generally come along in September and October. Nature has, however, a way of restoring a balance, and after last summer’s drought a wet spring seems to be a natural consequence. Moreover, ft is replenishing the springs and creeks, and giving the earth a reserve of moisture that will stand it in good stead during the summer should another drought come to pass.

However. while it lasts it is decidedly unpleasant. There is mud in every run. especially round about the gates and doors of houses; the laying and breeding stock have to be more or less confined to the scratching shed, more than we like at this time of the year; litter gets damp and clogs very quickly; and among the chickens there Is continuous renewal of litter and removal of coops and brooders to a dryer spot, or one that has not been trampled, while it is noticeable that eggs get rather dirty owing to birds coming in to lay with dirty feet, so that they need to be washed before they are sent to market. SCORIA STOPS THE MUD Much of the unpleasantness attending work among the poultry during wet and dirty weather can be relieved. In the first place we should never allow a run to become muddy, even round the gate. A barrow load of scoria will put things right, or, if you cannot get scoria, you may find some fine slack in the coal shed, too fine to burn, that will help to make a path or fill up depressions near the gate or door. As a matter of fact, every small run that will not grow grass ought to be built up with scoria or gravel so that rain water drains quickly away, carrying impurities with it. Latter in scratching sheds can only be kept dry by means of efficient shuttering. Hinged glass or celluloid material shutters are perhaps most suit able in winter and wet weather because they can be adjusted at any angle and they will prevent rain beating in. although they will permit ample ventilation. The up and down eliding shutters are better in hot weather, but they need a wide weatherboard to keep rain out when they are opened. As regards 'lit chickens, it is always

a wise precaution during showery ■weather to keep coops with their backs to the wind, which will ensure dry litter inside, while frequent removal of the coops is very desirable where it is possible. If there is not enough room to move each coop a yard or two every day the only plan to avoid churning the ground up into mud is to put down a light layer of scoria to walk upon. An improvement in the weather is welcome just now to facilitate the usual spring work about the poultry houses. Leaky roofs are becoming apparent, and woodwork reveals the need of paint, tar or creosote. The leakiness is doubtless due to the wear ing out of file iron. Tarring, painting and creosoting must be done in fine weather when the wood is dry, and as for old iron it is a hopeless job to patch it up, so that the only satisfactory plan is to strip it off and put on a fresh covering, giving it a coat of paint to complete the job. The majority of farmers were formerly in the habit of delaying hatching operations until a spell of really fine weather came along in the spring, but nowadays one finds more enterprising methods on most farms, and often one can pick up some useful ideas. The other day we saw a num her of chicken coops protected by tbatched hurdles. A couple of posts were driven into the ground, standing about 3ft high. A rail was nailed across these; which formed a support for three hurdles, thus providing a lean-to shelter. True, these shelters were built to afford protection against southerly weather, whereas lately the worst conditions have come from an easterly or south-westerly quarter. The lengthening days are helpful to the poultrykeeper at this time, though the dewy mornings do not provide the best conditions for letting birds out at sunrise. The scratching shed is still the best place for layers and stock birds in the early mornings, and those

who want to get the birds busy as early as possible in the morning should scatter corn among the litter overnight, provided rats and mice cannot get in, or give the grain at sunrise, when the shutters should be opened, according to the state of the weather. This will keep the hens busy until about 9 o’clock, when they can be let out if the weather permits. As for the chickens, early releasement from coops and brooders is desirable, though, as with the adult stock, it is necessary to keep them confined to a sheltered run till the early morning chill has passed. Do not forget that scratching is as beneficial for chickens as for adults, and the best way to start the day is to let them have a couple of hours in a welllittered, sheltered run. USE OF BROODIES Full use should he made of odd hens that fall broody because they will help to swell the number with their broods. Even where incubators are used, these odd hens should be brought into use to fill the gaps. A few early broodies can be made to play a very important part. They can act, for instance, as guides to fertility. When pens are mated up it is desirable that eggs from each pen should be tested for fertility before the main hatching proceeds. Under an odd broody then, we can place eggs from several breeding pens, and test them for fertility on the seventh day. Especially where eggs are sold as sittings is this preliminary testing desirable, as it will result in better satisfaction for both vendor and buyer. TESTING FOR FERTILITY As I have on more than one oocasion stated, mating up does not end when the cockerel is put into a pen of hens. The male may fail, even though he appears a most likely breeder. The proof of mating, therefore, should always be in the testing. It is sheer waste to place a large number in an incubator from one pen without knowing for certain whether fertility is good, bad or indifferent. If incubators are in use. then a trial run of one of them is recommended, a few eggs from each mating being taken and tried. There is no need to wait till the end of the hatch, as testing can take place on the seventh day. If eggs from a given pen prove clear or unfertile, no more should be set for a reasonable period, when a few more can be tested. If, on the other hand, certain pens prove very fertile, eggs from these should be utilised in the main until improvement in the others takes place.

GENERAL NOTES The following is the result of the Taranaki egg-laying competition up to and including the 25th week: In the White Leghorn section the birds have laid remarkably well, several birds doing the possible. W. Cannon’s bird is still leading, her total to date being 131 eggs. She is closely followed by H. Kirkwood’s bird with 128 eggs, G. Cook’s bird having 125 eggs to her credit. Neither Black Minorcas nor Andalusians are keeping up their reputations as layers, the leading Black Minorca having laid 81 and the Andalusian 48. The leading bird in the Black Orpington section is that of G. L. Gaylard, with S 7 eggs. . C. C. Cleaver’s Rhode Island Red has laid 90 eggs. H. Kirkwood’s Light Sussex is still going strong, being only one egg behind the leading bird in the heavy breed section, viz., A. Gibbon’s White Wyandotte, which has laid 112 “ggs. In the duck section V. L. Gane’s Indian Runner has again laid the possible, her score now standing at 158, A. Morse’s duck being 10 behind with 148 eggs to her credit. In the White Runners D. M. Waddell’s duck is leading with a total of 132 eggs. The caretaker says that the birds are in the best of health and condition. The monthly meeting of the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club was held during the week in the club-room at the Y.M.C.A. Mr. George H. Ambler presided over a good attendance of members. The hon. secretary, Mr. W. A. Moore, gave a brief report of the recent show, which he stated had been a financial success. The chairman said the secretary and penning committee, together with the members, were to be congratulated on making the show a success when held so late on in the season. The secretary and penning committee especially were deserving of every praise. After some discussion it was decided to hold next year’s show on July 4 and 5, and the secretary was instructed to make application to the North Island Poultry Association for the above dates. Mr. Bust, secretary of the Auckland Game Club, informed the meeting that in all probability his club would hold its annual club show in conjunction with the Auckland Poultry Club’s annual show, and, as exhibits in game classes were likely to exceed 100, it was decided to make application to the North Island Association for allocation of game championships to the Auckland Show. Messrs. Moore and Bust were appointed a deputation to -wait on the Railway Department with a view to their adding a special van to the Main Trunk Express for the convey-

ance of return exhibits. It was decided to abandon the idea of holding the annual social for this year. The Auckland Club, acting on the advice of Messrs Moore and Bust, set an example which other show societies may well follow. Arrangements were made with one of the railway officials at Frankton Junction to feed and water all the Southern exhibitors' birds, with the result birds arrived home in the pink of condition. Several leading exhibitors have written the Auckland Club congratulating them on taking the initiative in such a humane action. PERSONAL NOTES The many friends of Mr. A. Young, Henderson, will be sorry to hear that he has returned to South Africa. Mr. Young came to Auckland from Johannesburg some six years ago, and took up poultry-farming on an extensive scale at Henderson. During the time he has lived in the Dominion he has made himself very popular with his fellow-poultrymen and created a wide circle of friends. For some time now his health has not been too good, with the result he decided to return to South Africa. During the week-end I had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas (Remuera). Mr. Nicolas tells me he has a fine lot of White Leghorn chickens, which are doing remarkably well. Although only a hobbyist, Mr. Nicolas keeps a strict account of his birds and, on perusing his balance-sheet, I had evidence that his birds have paid haudsomely. Mrs. Nicolas, who is just as enthusiastic as her husband, is contemplating taking up bantams. HINTS Keep as few chickens together as possible in a small house, it is far better to cut a chicken’s head off than to permit it to eat it off. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS ‘•Ducks,” Mangere.—Ducks can be dis--lea fr^ m drakes by their tail feathering and their voice. When in full Piumage the drake invariably h£s a curled ieatner in his tail; but since this may be pulled out, I will give you other means of knowing the sex. The drake is generally larger than the duck. You mav also ascertain the sex by taking the ducks by the pinion of the wing; the duck quacks, the drake gives a kind of hoarse hiss. Sometimes it is long before thev make any noise. It then becomes necessary to hold them off the ground. If you persevere in this, with a little patience, you will succeed.