The Poultry Yard Month by Month. 373 



THE POULTRY YARD MONTH BY MONTH. 



April. 



By J. J. JoRDAAN, Lecturer and Instructor in Poultry, Glen, Orange Free State. 



Breeding Pens.- — Breeding pens should be mated up. Put the hens in the 

 runs a week or ten days before the male bird comes in, to have them settled 

 down. Ten to twelve days after the male bird has been put in the eggs from 

 the run can safely be considered fertile. 



Incubation. — Incubation will be started in this or early in the next month. 

 Incubators must be got out, disinfected, and placed in readiness for starting. 

 Examine each part of the machine to see if it is in order and repair or replace 

 any part necessary. Be sure that the machine is standing absolutely level 

 when started, and kept so. vSee that there is abundance of wick in the lamp 

 before lighting it. It will be found advantageous to soak the wick in vinegar 

 for twelve hours and then allow it thoroughly to dry before lighting it. Test 

 the capsule and thermometers before' starting the machine. Do not put the 

 machine in a draught, nor in a dead air corner, right up against a wall, nor 

 where the sun can shine directly on it. See that the floor on which it stands 

 is solid and does not vibrate. If possible fill the tank Avith rain water. Keep 

 nothing els© in the incubator room but the machine and accessories. Paraffin, 

 tools, etc., must be stored elsewhere. Be as particular about keeping the 

 incubator room clean and sweet smelling as the machine itself. Do not allow 

 suspected broken yolk, stuck germs, eggs tested out, to remain in the room 

 any longer than is absolutely necessary. Select for incubation only eggs two 

 ounces and over, as even in shape, size, and colour as possible. Test for texture 

 of shell as for fertility and discard all poor or thin shelled eggs. Remember 

 standard size, shape, and colour are points lacking in South African eggs and 

 this is the only way to remedy the fault. Turn eggs intended for incubation 

 once every twenty-four hours and do not incubate any which are more than» 

 seven days old. When starting the machine, after having it thoroughly " set " 

 and ready to receive the eggs, block up all ventilatiori holes and put a table- 

 spoonful of formalin in a tin in the water-tray under the egg drawer, and 

 then replace the drawer. Run the machine for twenty-four to thirty-six hours, 

 then open the ventilation holes, take out the drawer, remove the formalin, and 

 keep the machine open but lamp burning for twelve to eighteen hours, after 

 which pack the eggs in the drawer and replace in the machine. Always 

 endeavour to put eggs in the machine in the evening. Be sure to keep a chart 

 of the readings of temperatures of room and machine during a hatch. 



Chickens. — Brooders must be got out, overhauled, and made ready for 

 chicks that are expected next month. Be sure to scald the drinking vessels 

 and food receptacles used last year for chickens before using them again. 



Eggs. — Stored eggs will find a ready market at good prices; but sell them 

 as such. 



Egg Production. — Force all hens and pullets for egg production^ except 

 those in recording and breeding pens. The price of new-laid eggs is worth 

 it now. 



Advertising. — Start advertising what you will have for disposal during the 

 year. Let the people know what you have. Arrange for a standing advertise- 

 ment so that your name is constantly before the public and see that the 

 advertisement is "catchy" and well-worded but honest. Do not put anything 

 in the adveitisement that could arouse suspicion of sharp practice, Endeavour 

 to book orders for later delivery. 



