OUR POULTRY COLUMN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3705, 14 December 1912, Page 3

OUR POULTRY COLUMN.

NEWS AND NOTES

Experiments have proved that, liens thrive well on mustard mixed with the food. A teaspoonful of mustard will be sufficient for half a dozen fowls.

In summer time the birds must be provided . with good dusting-places. These are the equivalent of a hath, and if a little sulphur and powdered lime is sprinkled in the dust holes, lice and other pests will have a bad time.

Tlie usual period for eggs to hatch is:—For hen eggs, 21 days; duck eggs, 28 days; turkey eggs, 28 days; goose eggs, 30 daysj pheasant eggs, 26 days; guinea-fowl eggs, 26 to 28 days. Stale eggs may run a little over tho above periods. ■

Change of blood is necessary with fowls, otherwise- tho stock will deteriorate from in-breeding. A. good plan is to get into touch with a reputable breeder, and endeavor to effect an exchange of birds. Failing that, fresh birds must be procured.

When buying fowls always select those that have a keen and bright appearance. The hen that is busy either scratching the earth or chasing insects is healthy, and should throw vigorous stock.

Most poultry-men have now finished their hatchings for the season. Experience shows that chickens hatch-d in hot weather are usually weak, and a prey to disease and insects. * * * The best hospital for most diseased fowls is an exe and a choppingblock. Time and money are was cod in trying to cure the sick ones. Maize should not bo given to fowls in hot weather. It is too fattening and too heating for the blood. Wheat is the best grain food.

Ten years ago poultry shows for fancy birds were at their zenith. Big entries were received, and the public rolled up in numbers to see the birds. Eggs from celebrated winners were sold at from one to three guineas per setting, and trios of birds brought fancy prices. Things have changed altogether, and the utility fowl has practically knocked out of tlie market the show bird.

A lusty 'mongrel is better all the time than the puny aristocrat, but the lusty arisocrat beats tlie lusty mongrel out of sight. If you keep fowls keep those that have breeding in them. * » * | In the Dominion poultry-keeping as a hobby or fancy is said to be practically non cst. It has been discovered that poultry-farming is a remunerative business if properly conducted, and many men are making their livings solely from poultry. 1 * '* ’ ! The stud bird wants watching at feeding-time, to see that he secures r , liberal supply of ‘‘tucker.” A gallant male will sometimes starve himself while the hens eat all they can. It is therefore necessary that Mr. Chanticleer should be extra well fed. otherwise he will waste away, and infertile eggs will he numerous.

1 Inexperienced owners of. fowls cannot understand why they get so few eggs when their neighbors’ birds are producing plenty of them. One leason of this discrepancy is that the novice keeps on feeding a number of ; liens whose ages may range from j three to five years. At that age ! there is only loss instead of profit in keeping fowls. The expert knows j that all the money is in young bens, | whose egg proficiency runs at the age of from six to eighteen months. 'When . a hen is over two years old she should ; be potted or sold, unless she is a good i “has-been,” in which case it is ad- ■ visable to set a clutch or two of eggs before parting with a good strain.

j Keep your hens at work if you wish , to get plenty of eggs. The biddy that is always scratching and moving about in search of insects is the healthiest and the best layer. The idle, hen puts on internal fat and her egg : production suffers. aa . * Do not breed from crooked-breasted fowls. A male bird thus affected. ! when wated with liens with perfectly straight breasts, will beget crookedbreasted chickens to an alarming extent. In-breeding is one of the causes of this trouble. Another cause is unsuitable roosts. Recent American i experiments have proved that young ! birds that roost on turfed floors, a e : seldom other than strmVht-brcasted. I * * *

Mr A. M. Pram, Scotland, writes to tire ‘■•'Feathered 'World” in praise of the White Leghorns which he imported from New Zealand. Since their arrival, about 18 months ago. tiie liens have scarcely stopped laying. Mr. Praia was a member of the Kcottielt- commission that toured the Dominion.

It is not tho size, color, or breed of the hen that counts. The high laying quality is due to the machinery inside, and von call it “strain.” •' * * #

Young cliicks need lime for bonemaking, so keep plenty ol shell-grit before them. « * * To sweeten i<a yard, fork the ground over, and plant with quick-growing and strong feeding stuff. Rape is about the best soil cleanser, and it will go well now. * » # If the chicks are very strong and forward, watch out for cockerels. * *

Kerosene and olive oil. equal parts, will cure scaly leg. Wash the leg with warm water and soap, then mb the mixture in every day for a week or so.

You will want plenty of green feet iV the coming summer. to work now. * * » Crushed wheat is good for chicks, also plenty of finely cut grass, and a feed of earthworms every day.

If the eggs are not fertile, supposing it isn’t there already, give the birds plenty of litter to scratch in. If the litter is there noiv, change th: bird. ' * * *

Keep the brooder cleandon't abo.r it to smell. When your nose tens you that you have a brooder, you are in for trouble. Cover the floor with clean sand, and renew frequently.

Air. G. Bradshaw lectured rceeit.y on incubators and hatching. He stated that all the machines placed on the market for three or four" years past-, might lie regarded as reliable. For most of the poor hatching results infertile eggs, not the incubator, were responsible. An average hatching of 75 per cent, of tho egg® put into the machine should be regarded as satisfactory..