The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 862, 4 January 1930, Page 24

The Poultry Yard

" (By 080. a. AMBLER.) m 1 — 1 THE YOUNGER BROODS THE younger broods should now bo watched and pushed along, otherwise they will not make much headway, and then hardly pay for rearing. There is such a vast difference in the way young stock is reared that really one would hardly recognise the breeds.

Two men can take a dozen eggs from the same pen and yet six months later the chickens do not look the same, simply because one has fed and watered them properly, while the other has left too much to chance. All young chickens out in November should grow fast now and soon be out of recognition, if only given a chance. January, however, usually turns out hot and dry, and then the youngsters need a good deal of attention. During the heat some kind of shelter is necessary, such as a good thick fence, where they can also find plenty of insects which will keep them busy scratching 1 . Dave all coops and houses thoroughly cleaned and fresh litter on the floor, to prevent as much as possible all foul smells, and provide a clean floor for them at night. The youngsters which have left the hen should be put into a small house where there is pleut.v of fresh air Do not allow perches till three months old. otherwise the breastbone suffers. A sharp look out must be kept for insects. Change the water frequently, for there is nothing worse for young stock than sun-heated water. A change of ground as often as convenient is very essential, for youngsters soon tire of a run, and a change will help them to grow. Although there may be plenty of grass, the chickens “THREE MEN IN A BOAT” Most people have either read or heard of that amusing story "Three Men in a Boat." by Jerome K. Jerome. Now that the outboard motors are becoming a popular sport in New Zealand, a more suitable story would be "Two men and a Bottle in a Boat." Those 'who indulge in outboard motoring are likely to get wet. and it would be a wise precaution to carry a bottle of Baxter's Lung Preserver. A dose of this good old remedy taken occasionally, would ward off chills liable to be brought on by exposure to wind and Baxter’s Lung Preserver is an antidote for coughs, colds, bronchitis, influenza, and kindred ailments. In addition, it contains excellent tonic properties. Obtainable from your grocer or ehomist—generous-eized bottle -s 6d, . pfonomical family size -Is 6d. and I bachelor's size Is 6(1.—6.

will like a lettuce or young cabbage oceiisionally, though any left over must be cleared awfiy. The food must be of the best and contain a goodly proportion ot oats, either in the form of grain or meal. If the soil is dry or very sandy, a little extra meal can be added, but if there is any sign of diarrhoea, .reduce it at once. This disease is always fatal to young chicks, yet if a certain amount of rice is given it will seldom be noticed. I am aware that rice is despised by some folk, but after years of careful observation and use, I can say it is one of the best foods for the poultry yard, though not the highly-polished sort put up for human consumption, which is far from being the most desirable. CHICKENS NOT GROWING I have noticed lately several flocks of chickens which do not seem to grow. They reach the ten weeks’ stage very well, but then seem to stop. These sort need a change, and though you have no more room and the food is very varied, try the effect of a mild dose of salts and then add a little tonic to the soft food. Probably the liver has become sluggish, which soon puts them out of sorts, and this the salts will move into action again, while the tonic will keep it moving till the birds have begun to pick up again; then it can be stopped. A teaspoonful to six birds, dissolved and mixed in with the soft foods, is all right. When birds feather slowly, a little powdered sulphur mixed in with the soft foods will often move them. I never recommend medicines unless absolutely necessary. There is nothing to beat good, sound food properly supplied. Those who have their birds in small earth runs should dig the ground over occasionally, because this will sweeten it and make the top flesh for the stock. This will rid the soil of many undesirable insects, and at the same time save a little food. ATTEND TO THE HOUSES The question of housing is always a problem during the summer because the hot sun scorches up the roof, so that when the rain comes it often wets the floor covering and makes it uncomfortable for the birds to rake over, so that in the end it becomes a manure, which is unhealthy and unpleasant. Apart from this, fowls detest getting their feet wet at any time. During the summer is a good chance to cover the roofs. Where iron has been used everything will be safe,

but if only boards, or felt on top of boards, they want looking to frequently to see that all. is waterproof. If refelting is done now and then covered with tar or pitch, it soon dries and the whole is made safe against any storm for the season. Spray the house inside with a good insecticide, or hot lime wash to which has been added some creosote. Birds cannot be healthy or comfortable if infested with parasites. Look to the nest boxes, turn out all the straw and burn it, which will include any live creatures hidden there. When a nest box is full of insects the hen will soon forsake it and give up laying, when it cannot find a more genial place. DUCKS Those who go in for ducks should soon clear off all the spare youngsters, for now is a good time for sale, and they will not improve a lot after about 10 weeks old. If managed properly, ducks pay well when bred for tabie only, but they must be cleared as soon as ready and not held over. They lose weight, and no amount of food will keep them up unless they be kept over the turning stage. The sexes are rather difficult to determine, but they should be separated as soon as possible, and the ducks to be held over should be given freedom and good sound food, without any forcing material. Those who have waste ground and rough land should try ducks, and they will find them successful and profitable. VENTILATION OF POULTRY HOUSES A r arious 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 shallower houses, 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 the inmates are breathing what may be termed dead air, in that the movement of the atmosphere is entirely checked or too slow to ensure the desired freshness. Under such conditions back ventilation appears to be necessary. As this form of house is usually roomy, and the roof well above the perches, there is little danger cf direct draught. We have all been inclined to the view in this and other directions that what is successful in one form of house is equally so in all. That is a common mistake which had led to much loss. The whole question of ventilation is one which offers a field for much study. It should be remembered that the Ijnumber of birds a house will hold depends on the volume of air allowed, and not on the floor space or perch room. Ten cubic feet of air space should be the minimum. Overcrowding causes diminished egg production, and encourages roup, tuberculosis and other diseases.

GENERAL NOTES

The following are the results of the Taranaki egg-laying competition to and including the 37th week:—In the White Leghorn section the leading hen, belonging to M. Scanlon, laid six for the week, bringing her total to 237 eggs. Gibbons Brothers’ bird, which occupies second place, laid seven, as did the third bird, owned by C. W. Taplin. A J. Lacey’s hen, the leader of the Rhode Island Red section, laid six, bringing her total to 203 eggs. The positions in the Golden Wyandottes, White Wyandottes, Light Sussex, Langshans, Black Leghorns and White Rocks remain unchanged. In the Fawn and White Runner ducks D. Riley’s duck laid only five eggs for the week, whereas V. L. Gane’s bird laid seven, which places the latter one egg ahead, her score being 203 and D. Riley’s 202. In the White Runners, D. M. Waddell’s duck is still well ahead. J. W. Carrick’s Khaki Campbell duck again laid seven, bringing her total to 243.

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club, which was held last week, was largely attended. Mr. H. J. Hall presided. The annual report expressed regret that Mr. Walter Scott was so seriously ill, and hopes for his speedy and complete recovery. The club's annual show, which had been held in conjunction with the A. and P. Association’s Show in June last, had been a successful fixture.

The Young Bird Show, held In March last, was not so well supported as the one held the previous year; yet there was a good exhibit of poultry and pigeons. In an endeavour to maintain the interest of club members a series of seasonable lectures were delivered at intervals during the season. Thanks were tendered to all those who delivered lectures during the year, and also Mr. Leu Cocker, Government poultry instructor, for the two interesting lectures he had given.

The A. and P. Association wrote to the effect that Messrs. A. P. Lister, A. T. Moore, C. Light. J.’ Caravey, E. James, J. Mclntosh. J. K. Hawkins' and T. Smellie had been appointed the Agricultural Society’s representatives on the poultry committee. Tlie follow-ing executive was appointed: Messrs. C. C. Webb, J. James, A. B. Meiklejohn, H. J. Morerley, M. Curline, F. Hatcher, H. J. Hall and F. C. Aldous. Messrs. H. J. Hall, A. P. Lister, W. Jones and H. J. Morerley were appointed a sub-committee to arrange a series of popular lectures for the ensuing year. Mr. W. Jones was appointed secretary of the educational committee. PERSONAL NOTES Fanciers in every part of the Dominion will regret to hear of the death of Mr. Alec Fraser, New Zealand’s veteran fancier and judge,, who died at Christchurch during last week. Mr. Fraser was one of the founders of

Uie Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club, and also a life member of the club. During the 60 years m which he has been exhibiting poultry he has won quite a host of cups and trophies. Many of Mr. Fraser’s trophies are of historic value as they were won when competition was keener than it is today and bears the names of many fanciers who have long since crossed the border.

Like the majority of the old school of fanciers, Mr. Fraser was full of humour and his reminiscences of the old days were always interesting to listen to. At the last Christchurch show he created a surprise by winning first and several special prizes in a strong class of utility- White Leghorns. Mr. Fred. Blacklock (Avondale), who is keenly interested in Black Minorcas, i« also taking up the breeding of White Minoreas, having secured a pen of two hens and a cockerel from Miss Ambler, Glen Eden. The male is a fine specimen, being the best cockerel Miss Ambler has bred this season. All-fanciers will be pleased to hear that Mr. Walter Scott, New Plymouth, who has been ill for so many weeks, is now out of danger. His illness, coming as it did during the hatching and rearing season, has, however, necessitated a somewhat reduced flock of chickens. Mr. J. Herberts (Henderson), who recently went in for Light Sussex, and hatched quite a number of promising youngsters, reports that with the exception of one chicken, hawks or cats have taken away the lot. This is unfortunate as Mr. Herberts was looking forward to penning a few good Light Sussex during the next show season. Mr. Geo. H. Ambler, The Sun’s correspondent, was attempting to get on to the roof of a building to fasten a sheet of iron when he fell, the edge of the iron gashiug his chin very badly, which necessitated several stickes having to be put in. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT “Wyandotte,” Tauranga.—There are two ways in which you can produce your o\\ n strain of Silver-laced Wyandotte Bantams. One is to breed them down from the 'arge breed, making: a starT with undersized birds and breeding from these late in the season. Another plan would be to mate a heavily-laced Silver Sebright cock to White Wyandotte hens, and a White Wyandotte cock -to heavily-laced Sebright hens. The progeny from these could then be mated together. Time and patience will eventually bring you your reward.