1921.] 



]N0TES ON PoiI-TRY KEEPING. 



967 



NOTES ON POULTRY KEEPING. 



Feeding in January and February. — The most expensive 

 j)enod of the year for poultry keepers is well advanced, and with 

 the season of maximum egg production approaching, the outlook 

 is still further improved by the prospect of better supplies of 

 feeding-stuffs. 



There are now ample supplies of most poultry feeding-stuffs, 

 and although little improvement is apparent in the quality of 

 middhngs, much of the bran is better than has been the case 

 for a considerable period. 



Maize and its by-products are plentiful. Much of the old 

 2)rejudice against maize feeding has been broken down, and 

 cracked maize is now more generally used in suitable proportions 

 and is more easily obtained. A warning should be given against 

 damaged samples. These mostly find their way into mixtures, 

 so that particular care should be taken by poultry keepers when 

 purchasing grain mixtures. 



The prices at which clover meal is offered are frequently far 

 above its value, and, judging by the poor quahty of some samples 

 (many of which are practically valueless for poultry feeding), it 

 is e-^-ident that some vendors are taking an unfair advantage of 

 the growing popularity of clover meal as a poultry food. 



Purchasers of fish meal should exercise due caution, as al- 

 though the dangers from the presence of excessive salt have 

 been reduced by frequent warnings, it is still very necessary to 

 watch for the presence of worthless material. 



Breeding Stock. — Stock should be hberally fed, but it is neces- 

 sary not to unduly force the birds for eggs. Fish or meat meal 

 should only be used in moderate proportions in the wet or dry 

 mash, and a plentiful supply of vegetables, either cooked or 

 in a raw state, should be allowed. A grain mixture consisting of 

 good heavy oats and about 25 per cent, of maize is suitable for 

 cold weather. Wheat alone, especially if containing much dirt, 

 &c., is not good for winter egg production. Particular care should 

 l3e taken to ensure that the male birds in breeding pens secure 

 a sufficiency of food, and it is recommended that they should be 

 fed apart from the hens in some instances, as this will amply 

 Tepay the additional trouble occasioned. 



Laying Stoch. — The disposal by now of all surplus and un- 

 profitable stock will have reduced the laying flocks to suitable 



