THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 28

THE POULTRY YARD

fey GEO. H. AMBLER.)

STRAIN BY OJEO. H. AMBBBJi IS breeding poultry, as in other branches of live stock, it is not the breed that counts, but the strain. There are good and bad strains in every tyreed, and for the purpose of egg production it is necessary to have birds of proved fitness for the purpose—that is, birds of a good laying strain. It is strange that so many people remain in ignorance of this fact, which is being continually dinned into their ears —it may not be ignorance, but a determinaton to stick to the old methods and the old type of birds.

Comparison between results, however, is surely enough to prove that everything is not as it ought to be, aud to point out the necessity for change. A bird of pure breed and of a tested laying costs no more to keep, to house, or to attend io, than does the veriest mongrel; while the return in eggs o£ the former is in most instances two or three times that of the latter. The mongrel does well if she lays something like 50 or 60 eggs in the year; and it is no uncommon thing for birds of a good strain of any of the pure breeds to lay from ISO to 250 eggs yearly. There is, of course, a little extra initial cost, but it need not be so very great, as good hatchable eggs are to be had at very reasonable prices, and the youngsters require no more care and no better feeding than do the commonest barn-door birds. After having obtained birds of a good laying strain, it is necessary to treat them well and to feed for eggs. They cannot develop the eggs already in their bodies from birth without the proper materials for the purpose. If given the necessary elements for the work, they will turn out the finished article all right. It is no use trying by hot food to force egg production, or by the use of spices; the materials necessary must be there, and they must be of good quality. Cheap food is never profitable; the best is always the cheapest in the end. The quality and flavour of eggs is greatly affected by the food. Neither 'he breed nor the strain has anything to do with this, though shell colour of eggs varies with the breeds, white being the colour of the eggs of the light breeds, while different shades of brown are laid by different breeds of the heavy class of fowls. The finest flavoured eggs are laid by hens fed on cereals and good plump grain, with plenty of natural food on free range. Too much fish or fish meal gives a fishy flavour, which is very objectionable. Tainted food results in tainted eggs. If you feed on good food, you will get good eggs, rich in flavonr and of a good yolk colour. We get back what we give. COMFORTABLE HOUSING

change. A bird of pure breed and of a tested laying costs nc more to keep, to house, or to attend io, than does the veriest mongrel; while the return in eggs of the former is in most instances two oi three times that of the latter. The mongrel does well if she lays something like 50 or 60 eggs in the year; and it is no uncommon thing foi birds of a good strain of any of the pure breeds to lay from ISO to 250 eggs yearly. There is, of course, a little extra initial cost, but it need not be sc very great, as good hatchable eggs are to be had at very reasonable prices, and the youngsters require nc more care and no better feeding than do the commonest barn-door birds After having obtained birds of a good laying strain, it is necessary to treat them well and to feed for eggs. They cannot develop the eggs already in their bodies from birth without tlie proper materials for the purpose, li given the necessary elements for the work, they will turn out the finished article all right. It is no use trying by hot food to force egg production, or by the use of spices; the materials necessary must be there, and they must be of good quality. Cheap food is never profitable; the best ts always the cheapest in the end. The quality and flavour of eggs is greatly affected by the food. Neither 'he breed nor the strain has anything to do with this, though shell colour of eggs varies with the breeds, white being the colour of the eggs of the light breeds, while different shades of brown are laid by different breeds of the heavy class of fowls. The finest flavoured eggs are laid by hens fed on cereals and good plump grain, with plenty of natural food on free range. Too much fish or fish meal gives a fishy flavour, which is very objectionable. Tainted food results in tainted eggs. If you feed on good food, you will get good eggs, rich in flavonr and of a good yolk colour. We get back what we give. COMFORTABLE HOUSING Good comfortable housing is another essential to good results. The house must be wind and water-tight, and good lighting is as important, or n .rly ..o, as good ventilation. When

constructing new houses see that they face the north, so that the Inmates may get the benefit of every ray of sunshine. In winter especially will the value of this be most noticeable. All ventilators should be arranged well over the heads of the birds when on the perch, otherwise there will be draughts which are detrimental to the welfare of the feathered flock. The cleanliness of the house is most important; dirty houses harbour vermin, and these cause much trouble and discomfort to the birds. The floor should be kept clean and the droppings boards cleared of the droppings daily, otherwise a nasty atmosphere gets generated in the house, which affects the health of the inmates adversely. Clean drinking water is as necessary to the birds as food; the fact that an egg is 75 per cent, water is surely evidence enough that the supply ought to be unlimited. Laying hens drink a great deal. To avoid the spread of disease by this medium, a little permanganate of potash added to the water is very valuable. The water vessels ought to be cleaned out daily and rinsed every time they are re-filled. Where milk or buttermilk can be given, it acts not only as a drink, but as a food as well, being an animal protein, and where its use is available one may dispense with meat or fish meal in the mash. Besides, butter-milk has the effect of acting on the other food, rendering them more easy of digestion. Poultry manure is one of the richest fertilisers. So rich is it that it is too strong for most plants if used without the addition of soil to reduce the strength. Mixed with an equal quantity of earth, it forms an ideal manure for most garden crops. The necessity for careful storage of this valuable commodity should be kept in mind. It requires to be kept under cover to retain its fertilising power, and this may be done by a layer of earth alternating with a layer of manure, the top layer always being of the soil. Diluted, it makes a most ideal liquid manure, and when the ground is in a wet condition it may ■with great advantage be given to plants of most kinds, and to fruit trees in particular. Nearly all good qualities, especially

GENERAL NOTES

the production of eggs, are influenced by the cockerel much more so than by the females. This does not mean, however, that you can use any kind of hens with a good cockerel and obtain best results. Do not misunderstand me: the best hens mated with the best cockerel will give birds worth having. When the breeding season comes on it is well to see that the male bird to be mated with the hens comes off high fecund stock. Should he prove very satisfactory, it is a mistake to kill him off at the end of the season, or to dispose of him. because i£ properly cared for he ought to be good for breeding purposes for three or four years. Mate him only with a reasonable number of females, and keep him in a lean condition by feeding grain for which he will have to scratch and exercise. At the close of the breeding season he should find a house or pen apart from the females. Treat your highly fecund strain cockerel with every care, and you wil! find him useful for several seasons. VENTILATION OF HOUSES Various opinions are held as to whether in the large laying-houses anything more is necessary in the way of ventilation than provision of open fronts. That the latter are sufficient in what may be regarded as the shallower erections, those not more than nine feet deep, in which there would be a constant and sufficient circulation of air, seems evident. It would appear, however, that where the depth is greater something more is required, otherwise tile inmates are breathing what may be termed dead air, in that the movement of atmosphere is either entirely checked or too slow to ensure the desired freshness. Under such conditions back ventilation seems to be necessary. As this form of house is usually roomy, and the roof well above the perches, there is little danger of direct draught. We have all been inclined to the view in this and many other directions that what is successful in one form of house is equally so in all. That is a common mistake which has led to considerable loss. The whole question of ventilation offers a field for study and investigation which as yet has not received the attention it deserves.

The following are the results of the Taranaki Egg-laying Competition, to anti including the 32nd week. In the White Leghorn section quite a number of birds laid the possible. W. Cannon's hen, however, still leads with 176 eggs to her credit, followed by W. Ferguson's with 169. A. J. Davey’s bird occupying third position with a total of 167 eggs. J. K. Hawkin’s bird is leading in the Minorca section, and F. W. Williamson’s hen in the Andalusian section. The production in Black Orpingtons fell off somewhat during the week. G. L. Gaylard’s bird, however, laid 6 eggs and is still leading. In the Light Sussex section H. Kirkwood’s hen holds pride of place. W. Cannon’s hen being second. C. C. Cleaver's Rhode Island Red

PERSONAL NOTES

is leading in that section, having laid 6 eggs during tlia week. White Wyandottes are laying very consistently. A. Gibbons’s hen still leads over all her competitors in the heavy breed section. In the Fawn and White Runners Y. Ij. Gane’s duck has again laid the possible, having now laid 208 eggs—an average of, approximately, 61 eggs a week from the commencement of the test. G. L. Gaylard’s duck laid 5 for the week, her score being 132. In White Runners D. M. Waddell’s duck is still well ahead of her .competitors. The New Zealand Rhode Island Club and South Island Orpington Club are formulating a scheme whereby the amalgamation of file two clubs can be brought about. The Rhode Island Club has, for many years, been one of the strongest clubs in the Dominion. For some reason or other —probably due to the popularity of the Sussex —interest in the Rhode Island has somewhat waned, and there is no doubt the amalgamation of the tv?o clubs will do much to regain the former popularity of both breeds.

Fanciers will congratulate Mr. W. ,J. Jordan, M.P., on his success in the Manukau electorate, also Mr. R. W. Hawke, the well-known breeder and judge, who has been elected member for Kalapoi. Mr. Hawke has for many years been a prominent member of the New Zealand Utility Club, being one of its founders. He is al§o one of the directors of the Canterbury Co-operative Poultry Producers, Ltd., and also represented New Zealand at the world’s conference of poultrvmen. held at Ottawa, last year. He is one of the bestinformed poultrvmen in the Dominion and an expert on egg-laying matters. The writer can claim Mr. Hawke as one of his personal friends and can say, without hesitation, that he is one of the mest practical poultrymen he has ever met. Mr. Jordan is well known as an Old English Game breeder and has the interest of poultrymen at heart. With two such enthusiasts in Parliament, poultrymen can rest assured their interests will be well looked after. Mr. H. Meadows, formerly assistant secretary to the New Zealand Poultry Club, who has been in the United States for nearly two years, is now in England visiting his relations. Mr. W. Shakespeare," Hastings, who during the past show season w'as one of the most successful exhibitors of Runner ducks, is importing a trio cf White Runners from Mr. A. Appleyard, Suffolk, England, of the “Old Appleyard Strain.” Mrs. Warren, the Closters Poultry Farm, Henderson, is shortly expecting a trio of White and Bluff Orpingtons from the well-known firm of William Cook and Sons, Orpington. Both these varieties of Orpingtons are little known in New Zealand. In fact, I do not remember having seen

a specimen of the White Orpington since the death of that well-known fancier, Mr. Stonex. Both varieties are, however, what one might term farmers’ fowls. A decade ago the Buffs were the most popular breed among farmers in England. The Buff is not only a good layer, but also a great forager and table bird. I understand Mrs. Warren Intends importing several other breeds which are new to the Dominion. I have always been under the impression that there is room for a stud farm in New Zealand and Mrs. Warren is to be congratulated on her enterprise and enthusiasm in trying to bring this about. W. H. Morton, Ellerslie, has just started dry mash, only last week. He is a bit concerned because the birds do not seem to take readily to it. By the time this appears in print they will probably have settled down to the new method. I would also prefer that the hopper be opened for one hour for breakfast and one hour for the last evening feed, with loz of grain served in the scratching litter at midday. W. H. Morton’s present grain feed is wrong. He should drop the barley, and make up a mixture of two parts good oats, one part wheat, half part cracked maize. Fresh pulled greens should be provided each day, and in answer to our correspondent’s last query, these will be all right served wet. Wet mash should be. discontinued altogether. Poultry keepers, generally realise the visible waste of food caused by giving the fowls more than they can consume, but few appreciate the waste caused by the consumption of unnecessary food. A ration that is badlybalanced not only fails to bring the desired results in eggs and flesh but places an undue task upou the digestive system of the fowl, which may ultimately result in a diseased condition of the body.