THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 490, 20 October 1928, Page 26

THE POULTRY YARD

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.

DUCKS AS LAYERS PROBABLY no branch of the poultry industry has been more overlooked or improperly handled than the keeping of ducks for egg production, and yet they offer another concrete example of what can he accomplished in improving the ability in domesticated poultry to lay eggs. There is very little difference in tlie constitution of the duck and hen egg, except that the former is, invariably, larger.

The New Zealand public has a prejudice against duck eggs, but this, I am glad to say, is rapidly dying out with the knowledge that ducks are fed on practically the same food as hens. If the ducks are not given access to manure heaps, etc., the duck egg will be found as palatable in every wgy as the hen’s, and decidedly more tilling. The duck has come to the front only during the past few years, but in the laying tests in which She has appeared the results have been phenomenal and proved that she is a profitable proposition. Farmers and many other people who have splendid opportunities for keeping ducks somehow seem loth to believe that there are strains of ducks that will lay as many, or more, eggs than the highest hon record, and at less cost to produce. “I don’t like ducks, they cost so much to keep,” said a practical farmer to me only recently, and his mistaken notion is one I believe to be held by many others. Whatever may be the cost of fattening ducks for market, and it is doubtful if that i= profitable, there is no c.oubt that ducks for eggs can be made one of the most profitable branches of live-stock culture wherever reasonable opportunities for their keeping presents itself. Creeks are useful adjuncts, hut by no means necessities. Just water to drink, and ;; ny convenient arrangement such as a large trough let in the ground in which the clucks can have a wash, are sufficient. Of course the better the range, the less the food bill. GOOD STRAINS NECESSARY

So far as New Zealand is concerned, this pretty much resolves itself into two breeds: (1) The Indian Runner, and (2) the Khaki-Campbell. Both breeds have, from the outset, been bred for qggs and are non-sitters, that is, they do not hatch their own eggs. It is also much to their credit that they lay equally well in their third and fourth seasons as in their first. Strains, however, vary in laying capabilities and for that reason care is required in selecting laying stock. EGGS ALL THE YEAR We all want eggs when they are scarce and dear. Duck or hen, it is not necessarily the highest record layer that brings in what we are striving for—the most cash. The laying duck should not only give us winter eggs, but also eggs all the year

round, so that there may be a regular supply. I have met with more than one person who has run away with the notion that the same ducks lay round the calendar, which, of course, is a stupid idea, though when you get, as I have done, and can prove, a trio of Runner ducks that laid (in England) an average of 296 each in 12 months, starting when about 4J months old, it is getting fairly close to it. There are, moreover, strains in New Zealand than can exceed the above number. Take, for instance, the ducks belonging to Mr. Dowthwaite, in the present Mount Albert laying competition, and three White Runners or Mr. Wood’s, in the 1926 competition, which laid close upon 1,000 eggs in 52 weeks. By regulating the ages of the laying stock so that when one goes off another takes its place, eggs will always be available. This is very easy to lea.-n with short experience, plus observation, and can be done in comparatively small flocks. I have known it done with only four pens, totalling 16 birds of different ages. IN HATCHING DUCK EGGS

It is necessary to give plenty of nest room—not more than 15 eggs should be placed under a hen of heavy breed. These should be tested about the 10th and 20th days for the purpose of removing infertile and addled eggs. If two hiens are set at the same time the resulting progeny up to about 25 youngsters may be given to one ben.

Duck eggs hatch out on about the 25th day. When using artificial means for hatching it is advisable to begin with a temperature of not less than 101 degrees, with the bulb of the thermometer resting on the eggs, allowing them gradually to warm up to 102 to 103 degrees. The eggs should be turned twice daily or more frequently, if it can be done without opening the drawer, from the third to the sixth day, and from the seventli to the 24th day be cooled twice daily for about 10 minutes and turned after each cooling, just before replacing the drawer. Do not open the drawer until the hatch is off. From the 10th to the 24th day sprinkle or spray the eggs once or twice daily with warm water. HINTS ON REARING DCKS The ducklings should be removed from the incubator to the hover or foster-mother immediately they are dry, and the brooder temperature should be about 75 to 80 degrees at the start,* gradually being lowered to about 60 degrees by the end of the first fortnight. From the end of three

weeks onward no artificial heat will be necessary, unless, of course, the weather is extremely cold. Let the youngsters get out on the grass almost from the first, and as soon as they are put into the brooder allow them access to drinking water and fine grit. Ducks are voracious feeders, and they get the food all over their bills and faces, so in providing drinking vessels they must be at least three inches deep, so that they may wash their heads. For duckl' 0 ) the vessel should have a few pieces of broken brick or shingle in it to prevent drowning. Green food of some description is very necessary, and if ducks are allowed free range they will not only get all they need, but will also find the greater part of their subsistence, so that feeding costs may be cut down to a premium. Swimming water is not essential to duck-breeding, as is so often suggested, but at the same time if a pond or stream is available it will still further cheapen the feeding and simplify manageraent. Where ducks are kept in runs, the feeding should iticlude a closed handful of grain for two birds, given when they are let out in the morning. This should be placed in the drinking water and consist of wheat, clipped oats and kibbled maize. For a last feed the mash should be given, about four or five ounces a bird. POINTS ON HOUSING Compared with fowls, ducks are very easy to house or shelter. They do not need perches or droppingboards. and so long as there is plenty of ventilation any outhouse or an old shed will do splendidly. As litter almost anything will doleaves or straw —but never hay. GENERAL NOTES The results of the 27th week of the Taranaki Egg Laying competition are as follow: In tlie White Leghorn section several of the birds are doing well, and the competition is very keen, the leading bird being W. Cannon’s, with 143 eggs, closely followed by W. Ferguson’s, with 140 eggs. J. K. Hawkins’s Minorca is leading with 93 eggs. F. W. Williamson’s Andalusian heads its section with 54 eggs. Black Orpingtons are still well behind the highest total, that of G. L. Gaylard's bird, being only 94. W. Kirkwood’s Light Sussex is runner-up in the heavy breed section, having now laid 117 eggs. ■White Wy'andottes still lead the heavy breed section, 123 eggs having been laid by A. Gibbons’s No. 2 bird, and 116 by A. Gibbons’s No. 1 bird. C. Cleaver’s Rhode Island Red is doing -well and has now 102 eggs to her credit. The Fawn and White Runner ducks are nearly all laying the possible, the leading duck, belonging to V. L. Gane, having reached the total of 172, followed by G. L. Gaylard’s duck, which has laid 161 eggs. White Runner ducks are headed by \

D. M. Waddell’s bird, with 143 eggs to her credit. Keen interest was evinced in the Onehunga Racing Pigeon Club’s annual Christchurch Cup race, which was flown on Saturday, when 34 birds competed from 11 lofts. Good time was maintained throughout, the winning bird, Lady Nan, from Messrs. Taylor and Leng’s loft, clocking in after flying 11 hours 47 minutes, a velocity of 1,181 yards. Mr. A. Langton’s Rivolla being second with a velocity of 1,172. Mr. Sergeant’s Blue Princess was third

Another shipment of Light Sussex, consisting of 12 pullets and two cockerels. reached Auckland last week. These were from the yards of the well-known English breeders, Messrs. W. H. Cook and Sons, St. Mary Cray, and 'were shipped to the order of Mrs. Warren, Henderson. Mrs. Warren, who is a keen breeder of

Sussex, is to be congratulated on her enterprise in bringing such a valuable shipment of this popular breed to the Dominion. The birds were typical utility specimens of the breed and from appearances, should greatly enhance the reputation in New Zealand of the Light Sussex as layers.

Now that the days are lengthening and summer time has come to our aid, it is to be recommended that the breakfast ration be given earlier and supper at a later hour, thus equalising the feeding hours more and permitting the birds a longer period to forage for themselves. A minor point, perhaps, nevertheless one that makes for the birds’ wellbeing and effects economy in your feeding bill. A feed as late as possible is of much importance in bringing your growing stock to perfect maturity. There is then little, if any, setback" during the hours of darkness. PERSONAL NOTES Mr. Harold Winstone, Remuera, has had a good breeding season and has a fine flock of White Leghorns and Light Sussex, also a grand lot of White Wyandottes, over 30 of which are from his champion cup-winning pullet, which won challenge cup for best bird in utility section (all breeds) at the Auckland Show, This particular pullet is one of the best we have seen for some time, and there is no doubt Mr. Winstone will again hold a strong hand in Wyandottes when the show season comes round again. Mr. ITicks, Otane, Is another fancier who reports a record chick season. Mr Hicks is a fancier of the old school and with him commercialism is a secondary consideration. He tells me he had some of the most promising Elack Orpingtons he ever bred. That is saying a lot, as more winning Black Orpingtons have been bred in the yards of Mr. Hicks than in those of •any other breeder in the Dominion. He intends penning a big team at the Hastings Show to be held this month. In addition to his favourite breed of Orpingtons, Mr. Hicks is taking up Black Minorca* and English Leghorns. Mr. J. Cummings, Christchurch, says he is having a keen demand for Black Minorcas and has had to turn

down quite a number of orders for eggs and stock. The writer has had a good demand ; his season for eggs from this particular breed, which is evidence that this old favourite is again coming into its own. The old type of fancier has' been much to blame in the past for exhibiting the many monstrosities which were awarded prizes in the show pen. If only we can get back to the true Minorca type there is no doubt the breed will regain its former popularity as one of our most useful breeds. Judges will, however, have to take a firm stand in judging and adhere to the standard. GAPES IN CHICKENS Gapes is caused jby worm-like parasites which become attached to the mucous membrane of the windpipe and more often affects young chickens than older ones. The wings are dropped, head extended, the beak is frequently opened, and a wheezing sound is heard as the chicken is seen to be breathing with difficulty. Treatment is worth while in some instances, but the main thing is prevention. The eggs of the parasites are expelled from the mouths of diseased chickens and may • gain entrance direct into other chickens, or the eggs getting into the soil may be infested with angle worms and these, being eaten by fowls, will cause them to become affected. Magpies and other birds may transmit the disease. This disease constitutes another unanswerable argument for keeping chicken houses, coops, yards, drinking vessels and roosts clean at all times. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT J.C., New Lynn.—A White Leghorn has three growths on the underside of the neck, just about an inch and ahalf from the beak. Two of them are skin colour, whilst tho largest one is red. The smallest ones are a little larger than maize, and they are all quite hard to the touch. What is this? The trouble you describe sounds rather like a dermoid cyst. Of course, it may not be so, and it is really one of those things that can only be diagnosed by seeing the bird. For the moment I cannot advise you to do anything more than to paint these growths with tincture of iodine, or not to give any treatment at all unless they increase in size.