The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 32

The Poultry Yard

————* (ww mmo. m. amblmm.) - ■ ■ ■■■ Winter Egg Production Feeding and Attention ON the question of feeding and attention depends, in a great measure, whether the care in selecting and housing the laying flocks is to result in a profit or the reverse.

Some people do not feed their poultry sufficiently, but very often the lack of success is due to an entirely opposite cause—over-feeding. Of the two evils, the latter is no doubt the worse, for if fowls are good eaters, it is no hard matter to get the hens and pullets in good condition, even if they are poor to start with; but, if they are too fat, it takes a lot of trouble to reduce them into laying condition, for as likely as not, when a bird gets too fat, she has not all her internal organs in the best of health —the liver or heart is generally affected more or less —and such birds do not give good egg yields, even if one succeeds in reducing their fatness. Many poultrykeepers supply their birds with sufficient food—and only just sufficient to keep them going—but do not provide any surplus for the production of eggs. A hen may, in a sense, be compared to a muzzle-loading gun—you load the guu with powder, wadding and shot, but if you -admit to provide a percussion cap, or some means of igniting the powder, the gun is useless. The same applies to the laying hen: you may supply her with just enough food to keep her in health and strength, but from this she cannot spare any, or very little, for the manufacture of eggs. You must supply the extras which are required to form the eggs. There are few grains or meals which may not be used during the winter months, but it is in the selection and discrimination in the feeding of the same that the secret lies. No regular scale of diet can be fixed, for the birds have their likes and dislikes much the same as other creatures; and, if one found an ideal

food, and continued with the same food for weeks without change, many of the birds would be likely to sicken of the same monotonous diet, just as any person would be if he were supplied with, say, bread and milk for every meal for any considerable period. An easily-prepared diet, even if not balanced to perfection, is what laying hens require, and one that can be varied at will to a reasonable extent. Space will not permit going into details this week as to the kind of food to use. During the cold weather, see to it that the birds get exercise. This can best be done by burying the hard grain in the litter, thus making the birds scratch for it. During the win ter, insect life is unobtainable, and something must be supplied in place of it. The animal food is to the hen what the percussion cap is to the gun —it is the power which sets the egg organs into activity, and, unless this is supplied in some form or other, the hen will not produce eggs in any quantity at this season. Grit must always be in front of the birds. There are still many people who give their birds this most necessary article only at intervals, not seeing the necessity of it. How would they like to lose their teeth, and be compelled to eat tough beef and leathery pie-crust? I fancy there would be even more sufferers from indigestion than at present. The same applies to the fowls—the grit takes the place of their teeth, and they cannot comfortably digest such foods as hard grain "without something to prepare it with. The shell grit, too, is necessary for

the preparation of the egg shells — shell-less eggs are detested by all poultry keepers. I have seen birds which have been neglected in this respect for a time pick up grit before grain. Unless a bird has been deprived of grit for a considerable time, she -will not pick up more than is good for her. Her instinct tells her when she wants grit and when she has had enough. The importance of the water supply is too fully recognised to require mention, but the vessels rvhich contain the liquid must be regularly cleaned and placed in such a position that the birds cannot scratch dust and litter into them. If they have to climb on to a platform to reacii it, so much the better, the water will then keep fairly clean for a few hours at least. As previously pointed out, another thing the birds must have is exercise. Whenever possible, they should be at liberty to go in and out of the seratching-shed as they please, but during wet weather, or if the ground is very muddy, the birds are best confined to the sheds. They do not mind the cold so much if it is dry, and the poultrykeeper who can keep his flock from the wet is the one who is generally free from roup and other such ailments among his stock. If the birds have comfortable quarters, they will resort to them on the least sign of a shower during the winter. In summer, they are not so particular, for one can often see them running about on the grass after insects during even a smart downfall; but after the beginning of April the birds are generally in a hurry to reach cover, and if they find shelter to their liking they will remain until long after the rain has ceased. The production of eggs in winter is certainly a most fascinating pursuit, whether as a hobby or as a source of income, and it is not impossible to make the egg supply at this season the most profitable of the year. There is always a market for fresh eggs, and it is rarely that eggs are cheaper than 2s 6d to 3s a dozen at this season of the year, and, if care is taken in the purchasing of foodstuffs, the total cost of the birds should not exceed 3d a head a week, and the best of food provided at that. VALUE OF CHARCOAL Charcoal can be recommended as one of the most useful remedies for many complaints to which poultry are subject. It acts quickly on the internal organs, sweetening the contents of the crop, preventing the food from becoming sour, and toning up the system generally. As a preventive of internal ailments it is very useful. Charcoal can be given either in pellet form, breaking it up into pieces about the size of a pea, or it can he pulverised and mixed with the moist mash. If the pellets are placed in a tin in the poultry yard, the inmates will generally help themselves to as much as they require. Wood charcoal should be used, and there should always be a full supply available for the birds. The best charcoal is obtained from hard wood.

POVERTY BAY NOTES

The breeding season has been a good one and fanciers have every reason to anticipate a record entry at the forthcoming show. Recent visits to fanciers’ yards have revealed some beautiful young stock in Brown Leghorns. This variety seems to be regaining its popularity, one breeder having over 100 head of young stock from which to select his possible cup winners. Mr. T. Crosby, one of our oldest and most popular fanciers, has bred an exceptionally good cockerel which he considers will be hard to beat when show time arrives. A valuable cup presented by Mr. H. A. Armstrong has been allocated to the best Brown Leghorn in the show. In view of the fact that so many browns have been bred competition In this variety- will be keen. English Whites, where are they? Mr. Crosby bred and exhibited them for years, but the charms of the Browns have overcome his love for the Whites. For the present we appear to have lost sight of them altogether, more’s the pity. Utility White Leghorns are booming and will continue to do so as long as they are in the hands of Messrs. Vaughan, Lund, Hadwin, Trane and Jackson. The pullet class in this variety always brings together the largest entry in our show. On one occasion Mr. Jack Nixon had to judge a class of over 40 pullets. I believe I am correct in saying that Mr. Vaughan has had the honour of winning first prize in this class for two years in succession, viz., 1928 and 1929, under different judges. This fancier is also single pen testing for egg production, and the results to date demonstrate the fact that his strain can fill the egg basket as well as win cups on the show bench. Mr. W. Trane is another successful breeder of Utility White Leghorns who has some promising cockerels, true to type, with great flow of feather. This fancier alway's breeds better cockerels than pullets, consequently, males from his yards are always in demand. Mr. Trane is an ardent line-breeder, with the result his strain is entirely his own. Mr. J. .1. Hartley, the popular secretary of the Poverty Bay PoultryAssociation, who, in the past, has bred and successfully exhibited many breeds, has now centred his interest on White Wyandottes and Spangled Old English Game, and has some excellent specimens of both breeds. His successes in the show pen with Hamburgs, Wyandottes, Rocks and Old English Game, as well as many varieties of bantams, are legion. In their president, Mr. E. J. Poswillo, the Gisborne club has a most popular official. As a “utilitarian,” pride of place must be given to Mr. W. Hadwin, who successfully established a poultryfarm at Gisborne some y-ears ago. This has now grown to considerable dimensions, and he has a large flock of birds, comprising White and Brown Leghorns. White Wyandottes, Black Orpingtons. Aaconas, Guinea Fowls, and a -wonderfully fine flock of Runner

ducks bred from an original pen from Mr. A. Wood, the well-known White Runner duck specialist.

The Canterbury Bantam Club, which is one of the most progressive specialist clubs in the Dominion, Is holding its annual show in conjunction with the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club’s annual show at King Edward Barracks, June 5, 6 and 7, when a most valuable list of cups, trophies and specials will be competed for. In addition to the club’s specials, the American Bantam Association will hold its annual New Zealand meet in conjunction with the Bantam Club's show, when several gold and silver medals will be offered for competition among its members. Mr. C. H. Bull, who is the association’s New Zealand representative, will furnish particulars to any breeder wishing to become a member. Mr. J. H. B. Chegwin, the veteran bantam fancier, is still going strong and looking forward to the coming show season. During the past 15 years Mr. Chegwin has bred some of tile best Black Rosecombs . in the Dominion and we hear he has a promising lot which is shaping well to uphold his reputation in the show pen. He has also a few good Buff Pekins. Master "Cliff Courtney is a young enthusiast who exhibited Silver Sebright bantams at the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s young bird show. His first prize cockerel, which is a fine specimen with excellent lacing, should be in good form by June and’ figure among the prize winners. EGG-LAYING CONTESTS The various egg-laying contests are away again to a fresh start. The end of March saw the old contests completed and the following week fresh lots of birds in their pens and new competitions begun. The executive of the Auckland Poultry Keepers’ Association experienced some little difficulty in filling their pens, but by the efforts of Mr. Wood, president of the association, Mr. Jarrett and other members of the executive, together with the loyalty of previous competitors, the pens were practically full when the competition commenced. The Fawn and White Runner duck section, which has usually been well patronised, has but one competitor. It is pleasing to note that Anconas are again represented. The entries in the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's competition are well up to those of previous years, the three-bird test being practically full. White Leghorns, which usually occupy a prominent position at the Papanui test, are down in numbers, but this is compensated by the increased entry in Black Orpingtons. In the any other variety test the entry in both light and heavy breeds is an improvement on last year’s. Entries in flock teams are down a little. The duck section shows an increased entry and no doubt keen interest will be taken in this section, as three teams of Khaki Campbells are in competition with the Indian Runners. The Taranaki test, which is now

affiliated to the New Zealand Poultry Association, has an entry of exactly ICO. White Leghorns occupy pride of place, having 39 entries in the single pen test and 24 in the team test. Black Orpingtons have increased in number, as have Fawn and White Runner ducks. White Runners and Khaki Campbells have only two entries each.

VALUE OF JUDGES The American and Canadian poultry papers have been laying stress upon the importance of adequate remuneration for the judges who officiate at their shows, and, in summing up this subject, Mr. Robert H. Essex, editor of the ‘‘Canadian Poultry Journal,” says, “A capable, expert, honest judge with backbone is worth all that any association can afford to pay him.” With that opinion most people will agree, and there are indications that American shows are putting that policy into practice. It would be unwise to generalise because there are a number of show societies in New Zealand that are prepared to pay their judges at a rate that will command the services of the be3t men, but -there are some that cannot afford to pay more than a small fee, and others that, presumably, regard economy in this matter as the wiser policy. It is to these last that we owe the too common custom of writing to several judges and choosing the one that quotes the lowest fee, irrespective of reputation and personal qualifications. With so many show societies, whose revenue in most cases is drawn entirely from their members and from the exhibitors, this tendency to cat expenses is inevitable, though it is a dangerous one, which must react to the disadvantage of the shows themselves. We sometimes hear it asked how So and So can afford to judge a show l’or a fee that ■will barely pay his expenses, and various ugly rumours get spread about that, whether true or not, react to the disadvantage of the shows and the fancy generally. There are many judges who will not undertake a show unless they are paid an adequate fee, and they should hold to their resolve. If they are to remain Independent, and if men of high principles and expert knowledge, and capable of sound judgment, are to be pressed Into the service of the exhibiting public, they must be ade quately indeed, generously rewarded. To put up judging engagements practically at public auction, and to knock them down to the lowest tender, is to drive away the best men, to disgust the exhibitors, and encourage bribery and corruption. The good judge is cheap at any price, but some would be dear at a gift!