THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 702, 29 June 1929, Page 30

THE POULTRY YARD

<By

GEO. H. AMBLER.

KEEPING OUR FOWLS DRY A SUCCESSFUL egg-farmer wlio was asked how lie managed to keep his pullets laying during May and -Iline declared that it was because he took care that his birds never got cold feet. That may sound like an extravagant statement, but if cold feet alone are not responsible for laying failures at this time of the year, the conditions which result in cold feet certainly provide a very good explanation why pullets and hens do not lay in early winter, provided the birds are of the right class and of the right age, and in the right condition.

Tt is quite correct that laying stock should never have cold feet, and if they are housed and managed corredly they never will —at any rate, not to such an extent as to affect production. It is in the mornings when we have to guard against this i rouble, and if we let our birds out into the cold damp run to eat mash, or even corn, we shall not get them into the right condition for laying eggs. Do not imagine that by giving your pullets a generous helping of warm food inn the mornings you can make them proof against cold winds, rain, and mud. The warm food is a slender reed, and one that should not be relied upon. GIVE BIRDS EXERCISE The only way to get the birds warm and to prevent cold feet is to give i hem an hour’s scratching exercise in the mornings. There is no need to make hens scratch all day, as some people imagine, but it is important that they should start the day with exercise, and not by eating a hearty meal and then moping about until they again become hungry. Scratching exercise, of course, involves the use of a suitable shed, well lighted, airy, and adequately protected against the elements. If only we see that our hens have proper facilities for scratching among dry litter, the cold feet difficulty can be overcome, and one of the great obstacles to winter laying will be removed. Whether we allow the layers a run in the open at this time of the year depends upon the weather and other c ircumstances, especially the nature of the outer run. The small enclos-

ures that resemble a mud bath should, at any rate, be ruled right out, but where there is a roomy grass run it is certainly advisable to let the pullets out for a few hours on every day when weather conditions are reasonably favourable. The business hen of the modern laying type generally makes good use of such a privilege, for she forages nearly all the time, and even when the ground is cold and wet she will take no harm, as she would if she were compelled to stand about in a small muddy run. The vegetable garden can be utilised as an occasional run at this time of the year, for the standing crops are not of a vulnerable nature, and. whenever the weath'er conditions permit rough digging, there is a rich harvest of worms and insects for the fowls. However, when hens are generally kept under cover, discretion must be exercised in letting them out. Avoid extreme changes from a cosy scratching shed to a run or garden exposed to a searching wind. BUYING STOCK This is the season when the beginner thinks of purchasing a few pullets for laying, a cockerel to bring fresh blood into his flock, or a good bird or two for show purposes. He cannot be too careful as to the way he goes to work. In buying pullets, even solely for laying purposes, it pays to pay a fair price to get the best. Suppose, for example, that you have to pay 12s tid for a Leghorn pullet of really reliable laying strain, while you can obtain a nondescript, probably pure, but that is all, for 6s 6d. Now, the former has to produce about 40 eggs more than the latter to have paid

for the difference, and this, I would wager, she would do in 19 cases out of 20 within the first four months. Granted that once in a way a really good bargain can be picked up in the case of cheaper priced birds, but even so, results must be more or less of a lottery. In addition to the practical advantage just pointed out, you have a better looking bird, probably—one you can show to your neighbours with pride—and if you mate up later on there is the fact to be considered that you will be able to sell far more settings from a well known strain. Half-grown or late-hatcned birds should be avoided when possible, even though a shilling or two a head may be saved by their purchase. For one thing a breeder is always shy of selling anything immature that could possibly turn out extra good, and, for another, late-hatched birds are nearly always unsatisfactory winter layers, unless of a very precocious variety. Especially in the heavy or medium varieties is this the case, since a bird of this type hatched after October usually takes 12 months to become adult. Insist, therefore, on having wellgrown pullets of the year, which should | be redding up nicely when they arrive. On seeing them do not immediately [ pack them up in a fluster if they do not show themselves to the best advantage; remember, they have just gone through a trying experience (for them); and fowls never look their best amid surroundings entirely strange to them. Turn the birds out in a small grass pen, if possible, feed and water them, and give them an hour or two in which to settle down, then view them again and make your decision. Suppose you are after pure birds for 1 laying, and your purchases have been j sold you as such, you will be quite in j order in returning any that are obviously impure, deformed, damaged, too old, or with great, clumsy head, dull eye, and protruding gullet, that mark the inveterate drone. You want sprightly, healthy birds in good condij tion. and as long as they are not really ! badly coloured and shaped, you will probably have no reason to grumble. j New Male Bird

When it is intended only to buy a cock or cockerel tor breeding purposes. there is double need to have a good one while you are about it. The male bird is half the flock, and you should be willing to pay at least double ihe price of a good pullet for him. On arrival, handle him first, see that his thigs are firm, fleshy, and equal in girth, that he does not stand inkneed, is not crooked-toed or duckfooted. He should be broad and fullchested for his variety, and not mean of comb and appendages, though you

do not want him too full-fleshed in this respect. Now regarding an examination for health (which applies, of course, to any purchase), see that there are no scabs, sores or crusts o£ white on the head, that his nostrils are dry and clean, that there is no unpleasant smell about bim, that the interior o£ his mouth (look under the tongue) and gullet are free from spots and phlegm, that he is free from lice and not scaly-legged, and then if he passes all the tests satisfactorily put him in a run with some hens, and see how he behaves. If he is very young ho may take little notice of them, but a lullgrown bird should crow repeatedly, and be assiduous in his attentions. If you have reason to believe that he is unhealthy or, after a fair trial likely to prove unfertile, then return him by all means, remembering that without, a special arrangement to the contrary the buyer is expected to pay all carriage. Never keep the scratching shed closed up in the day time, except to exclude heating rain. You cannot sell to the best advantage unless you advertise. Someone is wanting to buy what you have to sell, and the only means of getting together is by advertising. GENERAL NOTES One of tlie most important remits j considered by the North Island Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association at the annual conference, held at Palmerston North, was that moved by Mr. W. Wilson, president of the Auckland Game Club, viz., that the association make application to the Railway Department for a concession in lares to I delegates attending annual confer- | ences. This was supported by Mr. j Ambler, the Auckland Club’s delegate, ; and received the endorsement of all 'the other delegates present. i To those Game exhibitors who make a practice of keeping their prize-cards, ! the information that, the Auckland Game Club has decided to give a somewhat expensive award card to the sue - cessful exhibitors at their show, ■ should be an incentive to exhibtors to • make entries. Tbe Game Club is also offering for competition an additional two trophies, ' one a miniature cup for best bird exhibited by a novice and a gold medal for the best bird in the juvenile classes. The following are the results of the Taranaki Egg Laying Test to, and tni ! eluding, the 11th week. In the White ! Leghorn section, M. Scanlon’s bird oc-

cupies first place, with J. A. Mackay’s hen second and C. W. Taplin’s third. A. J. Lacey’s hen is leading iu the | Rhode Island Red section. Gibbons : Bros.’ birds occupy first place in the Golden Wyandotte section. In the Black Orpington section, D. M. Waddell’s hen laid eight eggs for ! the week—her second performance of i eight in a week. This particular hen j is leading over all breeds or varieties in the competition. PERSONAL NOTES Auckland fanciers will regret to hear that Mr. Len. Pearce, the wellknown and successful exhibitor of African Owls, and a popular member of the Auckland Club, has left the district and gone to reside in AVellingI ton. Until Mr. Pearce is able to make accommodation for his birds they wili remain in the charge of Mr. Sasse. I understand a number of them will be exhibited at the Auckland Show. A compliment was paid to Mr. G. Ambler, at the Palmerston North Show where he officiated as judge of all the utility poultry classes. The judges of the Game and other fancy j classes were unable to agree as to I which bird should be the winner of the i Highden Rose Bowl, one of the most coveted trophies in the Dominion, and 1 which is awarded each year to the best exhibit in all the Game and all other classes In the fancy section at Palmerston North. It was unanimously ■ decided by the judges concerned that 1 they withdraw and Mr. Ambler be 1 asked to make the award. Mr. Ambler awarded the trophy to Mr. Laurensen's ‘ (Carterton) Ginger Red Game cock. I have received a schedule of the ; Wanganui Poultry Show. This club 1 has a fine array of trophies which are being offered for competition, specials » { being allocated to practically every ' J class in all sections. The North Island Championships for White ‘ Wyandottes, Fancy. English White Leghorn; pigeons (Working Homers); canaries (Norwich, Buff, colour-fed), j The Orpington Club, alfeo the Sussex Ciub will hold their annual shows in r conjunction with the Wanganui event. where all their challenge cups and ’ trophies will be competed for. The j judges appointed are: , j Poultry, Mr. Don. Stewart (Nor- ' i manby), and Mr. W. T. Hicks (Otane). ! Pigeons. Mr. J. Bruce, (Wellington), , ! and Mr. W. B. McKenzie, (Welling1i ton).

Canaries, Mr. A. Malcolmson, < Feild ing).