POULTRY CULTURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1938, Page 5

POULTRY CULTURE

HARD REARING FOR GROWERS. Mr W. Powell-Owen, who is an acknowledged authority on poultry culture, in an article on the advantage of hard rearing for growers, stresses, it will be noticed in the following, the fact often insisted upon in these notes that such rearing is specially important in respect to birds which it is intended to breed from. Under the heading “Complete Liberty,” he says: “Hard rearing means the adoption of extensive methods, with free range and complete liberty, and the provision of more grain than mash. It is now being looked upon by many as the more correct treatment for growing birds intended for future stock purposes, started in earnest around 14 to 16 weeks, the former age for light breeds and the latter for heavies. As maturity approaches birds so treated handle firm and full of muscle. “One of the,.chief objectives in hard rearing is to delay maturity so that when it is reached ■ a larger-framed bird is obtained, and the ultra-small egg is avoided. Pullets pushed along too rapidly lay at too early an age, and small eggs at that. “It must not be assumed that hard rearing was originated during recent years; it was always the specialised method adopted by experienced breeders of exhibition stock who desired large-framed specimens. “A site should be chosen where the growing stock can roam among shrubbery, such as is provided by woodland, or suitable hedgerows, with range over grassland. Under such conditions they will be able to obtain plenty of natural food, and they will develop the foraging habit instead of being indolent and hanging around the dry-mash hoppers.”