POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES

PROFITABLE BREEDS. (By “Brooder.”) The question is sometimes asked “What are the most profitable breeds to keepP” It is generally conceded that White Legnorns and Black Orpingtons are our best layers, but Anconas are speedily coming forward. For table birds there are Light Sussex, Rhode Island Reds and ■White and other Orpingtons, . and some of these can now be considered as also good egg producers.

THE MOULTING SEASON. We are fast approaching the moulting season, tire off season for the egg producer, so far as hens or yearlings are concerned. But it is the time when careful observation of such birds is necessary. Neglect will often turn birds which have done good work into birds which are not worth their keep.

OVERFAT HENS. During the eight to ten weeks occupied by tho moult yearling hens have a tendency to become over-fat. which interferes with their general activity and results in almost atrophy, of the ovary organs. When running with pullets, which should be avoided, it possible, such birds’ condition produces a natural craving for food and they consume a goodly quantity of dry. or wet mush intended for developing winter layers. An examination after roost of hens will soon disclose their condition, as if the abdomen or intestines feel full, hard and inflated, instead of being solt and easily pliable in the hand an overfatted condition may bs suspected. With such unprofitable stock, poultry keepers are feeding for fat instead of winter eggs, which makes against economy. A few dozen of such birds will run away with many shillings weekly. To kill and send to market is broilers will quickly convert waste into profit whilst any broiled fowls at this season make a delicious family. meal. If such hens are not excessively fat they may be brought into muscular laying condition in a few weeks by special economical treatment. Saline purgatives are useful rnd all drinking water given for one week may have a teaspoonlul of epsom jr glauber salts per pint added. It may be added that the latter (sodium ■sulphate) is generally preferable, being slightly sweet, whereas epsom salts are bitter. This fat-reducing treatment will, if persistently followed up, soon .have a beneficial effect. Only kibbled grain buried in deep dry litter should be given besides green vegetables in abundance. To fill string or wire netting bags and hang at a convenient height above birds heads will usually compel exercise. When by examination the over-fatted condition has been reduced, well balanced stimulating foods may be carefully fed until laying commences again.

HEALTHY POULTRY—SALINE REMEDIES. ■ Besides keeping down fatness the above remedies serve other purposes. One of the cheapest yet'most effective of remedies is epsom salts, or magnesium sulphate, which in the poultry yard is invaluable,, for its use as a first aid in many instances will ward off serious troubles, and save the lives of niany' fowls. Liver disease or diarrhoea, when the comb is purple in colour and a hen loses its appetite, is 1 often v remedied by a doss of epsom salts given about two hours before or after’.meals, the correct dose being half ;’a tenspoonful per bird dissolved in warm water, ana poured down the throat. When epsom salts are being given;), it is advisable to reduce the food supply in order to have the full effect on the birds’ organs. The treatment is wonderful in improving tjie digestion and appetite of ailing fowls, and by its action on the intestines,; carrying off unhealthy accumulations of fat, which prevents the ovary’: organs from properly working. Glauber salts ard slightly sweet, and added to drinking water is not objected to by poultry. , INSPECTION OF BIRDS. Looking over pullets one often sees narrow-bodied birds with shallow abdomens. These are usually the late hatched kind and the condition is often also the result of haphazard breeding. Such may be alright for the backyarder, but a commercial poultrykeeper would cull them out. They rarely make good layers and the eggs that are forthcoming are usually small or under size. NOTES.

Prices of good well grown pullets in England are higher than perhaps some people think and yet a writer maintains that good profit is possible. During the autumn in England many aspirants to egg farming with more or less experience join the ranks of food producers realising that September and October are excellent months to instal in large laying sheds spring-hatched pullets. Such birds cost about 8s fid to 10s' per bird to rear to maturity and may be purchased at 10s 6d to 12s 6d from reliable pedigree breeders, the same mak, ing a sound investment if in capable hands.

EGG-LAYING,

MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. The following are the 43rd week’s results of the Massey College egg-lay-ing contest: Light bleeds.—F. Ecob, 203 215 209 204 252 229 (29) 1312; S. G. Batten, 188 189 172 167 193 357 (34) 1166: L., B. Maunsell, 207, 202, 166 x 185 184 (84) 1126; Mrs D. A. Stewart 176 185 169 185 172 164 (30) .1051; K. Brazendale 249 123 171 165 x 166 (22) 1028; M. L. Boyoe 141 199 149 x 201 203 (27) 1026; A. Norman (5 birds) 188 170 93 173 x 215 (22) 1018; J. N. McLean, 170 123 158 167 162 163 (26) 943.;

Heavy breeds.—J. N. McLean, 200