368 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



POULTRY KEEPING. 



By A. Hart. 



Selecting and Raising Stock. 



The selection of suitable stock for table or egg production is a 

 point which must be observed. White Wyandottes, Butt" and Jubilee 

 Urpiiioftons, Black Orpingtons, Langshaiis, Indian Game, Dorkings, 

 Houdans, Wyandottes, and Old English Game are all good table 

 birds, and they take rank in the order named. Leghorns, Andalusians^ 

 Minoicas, Anconas, Black and other Hamburgs and Campines are all 

 good egg-producers. Crosses of these breeds will tend to make the 

 stock hardier, and if table and egg-producing breeds are mated 

 together they shotdd produce an excellent all-round fowl. Always 

 use pure stock on one side, and if on both, so much the better. It is 

 always preferable to keep a flock of fowls of one colour or breed. 



In starting a yard of fowls for egg production, it is the better [)lan 

 to use pullets as the foundation. Select early hatched birds, and 

 they will come on to lay when eggs are scaice and dear. The 

 first laying of pullets should' not be used for setting purposes, as the 

 chickens hatched from them will have a tendency to be weak and of 

 inferior quality. After the pullets are fully developed, which will be 

 when they are from eight to ten months old, the eggs may be put 

 down with safety. In mating, always place a second season cock 

 with first season females, and the lesult will generally be satisfactory. 



Incubators are to be recommended, providing reliable machines 

 are used. Turkeys are ;ilso very useful for hatching purposes, and on 

 farms where a limited number of eggs are put down, tliey are specially 

 suitable. They cannot be relied upon as mothers, and hens should 

 be used for this purpose. Where incubators are used, foster-mothers 

 are also necessary. Great care must be taken to keep a correct 

 tempeiature. Never have the heat too great, as the chicks will stand 

 the cold much better than extra heat. Over-heated chicks are always 

 delicate. The temperature of the fostei-mother may be reduced as 

 the chickens grow and develop, and in five or six weeks they will not 

 require any artificial heat. Never liberate the chicks in the open 

 when the weather is cold and severe. The sudden chraige is likely to 

 produce a chill, resulting in colds and other ailments. They may be 

 allowed to run in the shed wheie the foster-mother is kept until the 

 weather is favourable for them to be liberated. 



Feeding and Housing. 



Tiie feeding and housing of poultry have also a material influence 

 on the success acquired. The best food for laying hens is grain, and 

 the best quality is alwaj^s the cheapest in the end. Wheat takes 

 front rank, and English barley, stout oats, maize and peas are also 

 good, and a change from wheat to any of the latter grains may be 



