POULTRY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 26 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES.

LAYING HEN’S NEEDS. A laying hen requires about it’s own weight in shell grit per annum. The chief function of green feed is to supply saline matter which Is necessary for vigorous health, digestion and pure blood. It contains iron, magnesium, potash, sulphur and sodium chloride, all of which tend to transform food Into heat, energy, flesh and eggs. The larger tho comb, tha less breeding power of the male, is tho Idea held by many well-known poultry breeders, and (his is their reason for dubbing the comb of breeds such as Minoreas and Leghorns. The probability of including a poultry show' In the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association's fixture tn October Is mentioned In a recent Issue of the Australian journal “ Poultry.” Dry sleeping quarters arc essential for ducks. Too rich feeding and not enough ventilation at night in their houses nmv tend to cause crooked wing growth In ducklings during feathering age. The art of successful breeding lies in preventing a weakness from getting into a strain rather than trying to breed one out. In too punching do not punch too oloso to tlie bones of the foot. Punch as near as possible to the outside edge of tlie web Do not tie the legs of ducks together as with fowls. Ducks’ legs are set wide apart and tying is dangerous to the bird. Do not leave nails, tacks or pieces of wire netting lying about in chicken runs. The birds may swallow such artloles. Chicks are very curious and for this reason it ts not advisable to leave articles about the run upon which they are likely to climb. Many a Waikato farmer could make a profitable side lino out of ducks. With an abundance of grassland the cost of feeding is greatly reduced. Points of Value. Ducks aro sensitive to changes nnd I will cease producing eggs If handled j roughly or their feeding changed. I “Fewer and better cockerels" would be a good motto for some breeders. 1 Tameness in chicks helps consider- j ably. Money saved tn buying low grade stock and feed in invariably lost in poor production.