POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 28, 30 December 1932, Page 5

POULTRY NOTES

(“By Brooder.”) The first essential in mating for egg production is a sound constitution. Mention is made of this just because the man who looks to the future will now be selecting his breeders for next season. Certainly, this is not the final selection. That in all probability will be left until the birds have moulted. However, there is never any hesitation by the poultryman who is anxious to keep up stamina in his flock about tlie birds which shall be thrown out before.the moult. It is true that the natural rest which birds enjoy will sometimes give back that condition for which the progressive poultryman is ever on the lookout, thus an error of judgment may be made. Generally, however, it is easy to distinguish the weakling. A season’s laying is a great test and at the end the really strong bird will pass into the moult without showing anv signs of distress. Often, maybe, they will continue to lay, but it is not advisable to encourage it. Such birds are those which can be earmarked for the final selection. ./These are the type which work for profit. Moulting time and afterwards will reveal other weaknesses, but at present if birds are wanted, these certainly pass the first test and have earned the right to be amongst those from which the final selection will be made. Two reasons stand out, then, why selection is necessary now. Firstly, all the birds cannot be kept through the moult. This is too expensive. Secondly, because after moulting, the weaknesses so easily seen now are not always evident. These reasons are important and should be considered now, when making the first cull.

Head and eyes were ever the great indicators of vitality and were ever the sure guide for those who would choose the likely birds. Even at the end of a season’s laying the birds really worth their keep have a neat and very much alert head, with bojd sparkling eyes. There is something in the texture of the comb and feather and in the cleanliness of the face which attracts, and the observant poultryman never fails to note these tilings, lhe heavy bull-headed hen, with the feathery face, never did make a layer, and no breeder who knows his job would ever choose it to mother others. Size and constitution are but the above mentioned characteristics are all important and carry much weight.

EGG-LAYING. MASSEY COLLEGE CONTEST. The following are the results of the 38th week in the Massey College egglaying contest: — SINGLE PENS. Section A.

F. Ecob 214 188 169* 166 146 177 (28) 1060 M. Macrae 127 171* 204 121 185 165 (30) 973 M. L. Boyce 170 133 172* 191 155 136 (23) 957 Mrs Stewart 166 127 141 154* 119 181 (31) 888 P. B. Harrison 171 168 134 84t 143 123 (21) 823 Section D. Mrs Hellabv 158 199 183* 170 143 172 (29) 1025 VV. E. Jones 168 148 172 162* 138 175* (26) 963 McLean & Whitworth 129 169* 99* 143* 170* 206 (31) 916 Larsen Bros. 118 146 124* 139 111* 91 (27) 729 W. Bish 194 73* 64 143 170 60+ (26) 704 •Signifies disqualified for egg we’ght clause. +Bird dead.

\V. 11. Barker .. 1 138 2 139 3 170 E. M. Galvin .. 1 150* 2 202 G. H. Cross ... .. — 127 F. Ecob .. 1 193 2 175 3 149 A. R. Watson .. — 220 G. Goodson ... .. 1 96* L. B. Maunscll . .. 1 176 2 191 3 176 Mrs Stewart .. — 154 2 160 3 1491 S. G. Batten .. 1 171 R. R. Cannon .. — 183 Miss Mitchell .. 1 171 2 181 3 197 4 164 5 198 6 195 T. Bruce .. 1 158 2 184 3 122 A. J. Shailor .. 1 188 2 171 H. Rusliton ... .. 1 175 2 129 3 188 4 181 S. G. Batten .. 2 193 3 214* 4 167 5 196 i 6 138 7 140 Mrs Hellaby Section B. .. 1 199 2 169 Mrs Youngson .. — 177 Larsen Bros. .. 1 223* 2 147 3 153 i 4 242* T. Doutliwait c .. — 135 E. M. Galvin .. — 83* TEAM RESULTS. Section C.