POULTRY NOTES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10712, 4 September 1912, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES

(fay Utilitarian.) Poultry keepers who adopt the intensivo or closer settlement system, need to exercise considerable vigilance over their flocks. We have I noted, from time to time, that some aro apt to neglect keeping a sufficien- | cy of scratching material in the nouses An insufficient supply means a strong ; probability, especially if the breeds I kept are of a heavy kind, of the } birds becoming over fat, This is particularly applicable to second season layers, the ones generally used for i breeding, and only tends to give a ' lower vitality in the chicken so rais- ' ed from them, and also will result in smaller percentage of fertile eggs. | Again, it is easy to throw too much grain on the floor. The owner should examine from time to time and see whether any grain is lying about and the birds actions will give a good indication of this. When it is observed that tfiey only give a disultory scratch occasionally, either they are sick or they already havo as much as they require. We prefer to see the birds look for the attendant's regular appearance and then see them scratch and hustle round for the well scatter:ed food. When the floors are becoming dusty, get some more straw or other scratching stuff down .as soon as possible, and try and have it always at least, four or five inches deep. Remember, the idea is to promote exercise, which, otherwise, they Mould not obtain like those which have unlimited liberty. Mongrels frequently give 'large percentages of chickens, and the perfect freedom which they are accorded, doubtless, is the main factor. '

The Committee of the Utility Egg "Circle held its usual monthly meeting last week. IY.;-,tments to members are now ready. Owing to unforseen circumstances, 1i local poultry man has delayed in obtaining, from Australia, some squabs. We understand that he now , shortly hopes to operate in this dir- ' ection". It is stated that there is a [good market for this delicacy, and wo wish him luck in his new venture.

There are a. good number of local breeders whose fancy lies with Brown Leghorns. For some reason or other this breed have not yet made much impression in the egg-laying contests. We should much like to see one or two, in Masterton, next season enter some p'ens. It would if they were successful, add to their personal credit, and give the breed, which appears to bo in some danger of obliteration, a chance from dying-out and once again ' put into general favour, i Green maize, chaffed, is an excellent food for birds in the hot autumn months. Breeders would do well to l have ground prepared as soon as posI sible so that the seed may be sown I as soon as all danger of frosts is passed.

Eggs havo dropped considerably since July, and it is time now to commence preserving as, many as circumstances permit. Water glass or sal-ova can be safely recommended, and unless only a very few dozen-are to he put down it should be purchased in gallon tins. If it is proposed to preserve manv thousands one would need to obtain tho five-gallon drums, which Sv-cmkl very materially reduce the cost per dozen. It is advisable to boil the water first, and then let it become quite cool before using. .One in-.twelve- is a safe proportion. Quite a'number of poultry-keepers in a small way have become converted to the advantages of possessing a small incubator, judging.by tho many we meet. Their possession renders them independent 'of the oftimes illusory broody lien, and though an.in- ; ~"hatoi" is generally on four legs, it will always V* found stationary and bird is often more a:t' v « than man requires. It is an excellent 1)1 tin.• however, to set a hen at the same time as a small incubator, and then let the former rear the result obtained from both methods of incubation.