POULTRY NOTES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10581, 12 March 1912, Page 6

POULTRY NOTES

(By Utilitarian.) In those days of cos-.y feed for poultry, it is well to boar in mind that there is a considerable difference in the quantity consumed per breed. For instance, White Leghorn* are absolute gonnands, whereas Wyandottes are imuc'h anore moderate. Of eourse, we mil (it make «ome allowance whether they are laving or not. ;iny bird, of any breed, when in lull lay, will always be keener for feed than when resting. I should lie inclined to judge that Wyandotte:* will he sat is lied with fully per cent, less food* than Leg-

horns and should not be at all aiuprised to hear thai the difference was greater still ; but to' the best of m\ knowledge there are ik> authentic reports dealing with this matter. However, breeders who have both breeds could without a great deal of trouble work this problem out through the , next season, and judge for themselves. 1 do net suggest, by the lorogoilig, that breeders in a large way should reject their Leghorns and keep Wyandotte*, as owing to their sitting propensities the extra labour entailed would counterbalance their otherwise strong point?-. It will take sow years yet to work up a large -oek of nonsitting Wyandottes; but for the small man, "the hanker, merchant or business man, who keeps a 'few for bin own usej and requires a few broodies each season, or wishes to supply his table with poultry, the Wyandottes

are par excellence. J Jiey are aimosi invariably good sitters, and excellent mothers," while the cockerels are fit for the table, often at three months. . It is a wise precaution, especially at this time of the year, when the houses are probably stocked to their utmost caoacity, to take a look round occasionally at night and inuke sure that- the pullets are not crowded on the perches. Young birds require plenty of fresh air to allow of quick development, and this they cannot get

if they are cramped for roosting .space. It would be better to let them roost in some thick tree® rather than to stint them in accommodation in } houses. By the end of March, the majority of the older birds should he a way, and then after a thorough cleansing, out the pullets can be transferred to their winter quarters. However, this should he avoided us late as this, hot that the pullets are any the worse for roosting outside, but shifting them just when they are » about or.have begun to lay is apt to throw them into a raise moult, there-

by retarding winter, egg production. \Tlie' following are useful points to make a note of, and act up to: I See that ducks always have as much j food as they will eat. . ~ A considerable saving' in ducks' food can be economically effected by making up one third of the msir-h w:th chaffed green food. Sand, in the nests for the hour;, ind sand for all the stock to eat, is wholesome and clean. Benzine tins mage good roosts, and are cheaper than wood, also cleaner. Iron makes the best roof lor fowlbouses; ruberoid and similar materials are unsatisfactory in many ways. Cavings, obtainable when the threshing machines are at work, are well worth saving for next chicken season.

■Have plenty of gravel put down iii all the gateways before the wet weather sets in.

Keep the sexes separate until the next breeding. This w* bring them in good fettle and give a better c]ass egg-

The Utility Circle still keeps a regular. supply of eggs, and the 'membership is ou the increase. This district is in a chronic state

of warfare with the Railway Department, and the poultrymen come in for

their share also. Quite recently a local breeder desiring to .send a crate of young bens t-o Pahiatua had no op-

tion but to either get down to the staion for the 6.20 a.m., or take them overnight and take his own responsibility of leaving them on the platform all night. Considering his farm was three miles from the station, it was

difficult to catch the morning train, and. :k; the evening train was too late for his client this did not suit either. To make matters worse, the local officials absolutely refused to send them by the mid-diij train, stating there was no room. What is wrong with the workshops. Apparently it is time an extra van or two was added. However, the leart the railway people could have done was to have taken charge of them overnight, but ithis thev refused also.

Tho Government is supposed to ho encouraging poultry keeping, and iilic above is one of the trials we have to contend with. It is time there was a little more systematic organisation and co-operation.