POULTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 23, 23 December 1932, Page 3

POULTRY

EGG-LAYING. MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. Tho following are the results of tho 37th week in tho Massey College egglaying contest: —

NOTES. (By “Brooder.”) Birds should not now be receiving nny special forcing matter. Ordinary plain food, with outside scratching libI erty, is all that is necessary. Excessive meat or milk will only place a strain upon the bird and probably wreck its constitution altogether. We are nearing the end of the flush period and from now on nature will be asserting itself, asking that the bird be given its usual rests. To pile on the agony and compel the bird to produce unceasingly may be alright if the birds are not required for another season, but where the birds are to be retained for other periods, forced laying is harmful and not profitable. Give the birds access to free range, provide shade, feed wholesome food and let nature take its course. There are safety and profit in working on these lines. A mistake is often made in choosing the most advanced cockerels for keeping for the following season’s breeding pens. The most -forward cockerel is not necessarily the best one. For instance, some youngsters show a well grown comb and wattles; they have matured very quickly, and often the novice thinks these are his best birds. .But combs alone are not a sufficient indication. Very often wo find that as time passes these forward combs become top heavy, and to prevent unsightliness they have to be cut off. ’lliere are better /indications than the comb. Watch the growth and spread of the body. The bird which develops slowly but surely is often the better bird. Of course one likes to see a well-formed head with comb, dobe and wattles de-

veloped us per type, and where possible these points carry weight. However, a pasty selection is never the best. Watch carefully, handle often, look for type and texture and sooner or later tlie ideal of the flock will show itself.

The ideal table bird for Christmas sales has shown itself, but there are not by any means too many about. Some are too small though they may be plump and flesh ; others are past the chicken stage, with ail bone and no flesh. It is true that we have a lot to learn, yet ere we can produce, at tho right time, the riglit bud. it is by no means easy and there is a fair amount of good luck required. The chicks must be hatched right on time, and if they are to be reared for the table they must be fed tor the table. We must work to a time-table, and a good deal of experience is necessary. Good prices are being paid for the rjght class of bird and the demand is good. We must make a note of this for future reference.

Shade is necessary now, and it must bo provided. Don’t say it cannot be done. Any greenery, sacks, or tho like will do. The birds will appreciate your efforts to give them relief from the hot sun. Young pullets especially welcome it.

SINGLE PENS. Section A. W. H. Barker 1 133 2 137 3 164 E. M. Galvin 1 148* 2 199 G. H. Cross — 122 F. Ecob ; 190 2 169 3 149+ A. R. Watson — 214 C. Goodson — 92* L. B. Maunsell 1 171 2 185 3 170 Mrs Stewart 1 152 2 155 3 188* S. G. Batten 1 166 R. R. Cannon — 178 Miss Mitchell 1 165 2 175 3 192 4 158 5 194 6 193 T. Bruce _ 1 154 2 178 3 118 A. J. Shailcr 1 181 2 165 II. Rushton 1 170 2 129 3 182 4 176 S. G. Batten 2 187 3 209* 4 162 5 191 6 134 7 137 Section B. Mrs Hcllaby 1 193 2 169 Mrs Youngson — 172 Larsen Bros. 1 217* 2 143 3 150 4 235* T. Douthwaite — 149 E. M. Galvin — 77* TEAM RESULTS. Section C. F. Ecob 207 183 167* 161 141 173 (30) 1032 M. Macrae 122 164* 199 120 179 159 (33) 943 M. L. Boyce 166 133 169* 185 150 131 (24) 934 Mrs Stewart 162 121 136 148* 114 176 (30) 857 P. B. Harrison 166 165 131 841- 139 117 (30) 802 Section D. Mrs Hcllaby 153'196 178* 165 137 167 (34) 996 W. E. .i ones 164 142 167 159* 132 173* (38) 937 McLean iSr Whitworth 123 163* 98* 138* 164* 199 (21) 885 Larsen Bros. 113 141 118* 136 107* 87 (29) 702 W. Bish 189 66* 59 139 165 60+ (25) 678 ‘Signilies disqualified for egg weight clause. +Bird dead.