Poultry breeding and management for the English markets

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, VICTORIA, 4
NEW YORK STATE LIBRAR
ae JUL 30 1932

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

POULTRY BREEDING

AND

MANAGEMENT

FOR THE

ENGLISH MARKETS,

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ALDERT R. MANN
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CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Oy Authority :
ROBT. S. BRAIN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.
5515.

Cornell University

Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924089509826

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IG. 1.—PAIR OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS

As it has been satisfactorily proved that, with the facilities now
in use for carrying perishable products, poultry can be landed
in good condition and sold at payable prices in England, this
pamphlet has been prepared for the guidance of farmers and
persons holding small areas of land desirous of commencing or
extending an industry of future importance. It has been the
practice to consider poultry breeding a matter of minor importance
to farmers, but the result of inquiries and experiments conducted
by this Department show that the industry is one which can give
good profits and quick returns. I feel satisfied that, with the
advice which this Department is always ready to give, a steady
and increasing trade will be established in the export of poultry.
It may be mentioned by way of illustration that, at the time when
experimental shipments were made, poultry was almost unsaleable
in Melbourne, whereas the prices realized in London for those
sent were from 2s. 9d. to 4s. for chickens, and 3s. 3d. to 5s. for
young ducks.

This Department will undertake the supervision of shipment of
poultry, and will be prepared to advise and assist as far as practic-
able in the development of the trade; and it may be reasonably
expected that this publication will be one of the means to that

end. .
D. MARTIN,

Secretary for Agriculture.
Melbourne, 17th July, 1894.

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FIG. 2.—PAIR OF LANGSHANS.

POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT.

Victoria is by nature exceptionally favoured with a most suit-
able climate for breeding and raising poultry, and this pamphlet
is issued by the Department of Agriculture with a view of
encouraging an export trade in poultry products. The instruc-
tions are given as a guide to those who are desirous of embarking
in the industry.

Poultry has hitherto been practically a neglected quantity with
those carrying on rural pursuits, and this has, no doubt, been
occasioned by a limited local demand, but now that the. produce
can be shipped to the world’s markets in a perfect state of pre-
servation by means of the refrigerating chambers on the vessels
trading with these colonies, there is no reason why Victoria should
not henceforth develop a large and profitable export trade with
England.

The difference between the colonial and English seasons places
Victoria in a position to be able to supply the London market at
a time when prices are at their highest. Consequently, when
our poultry is ready for disposal, we can land the produce in
an unlimited market, and secure the best possible prices. The
trial shipments made to London last season, and which are referred
to later, have shown us that so long as we can produce an article
of good quality we need not fear prices.

Farmers and those carrying on rural industries throughout
Victoria have special advantages for breeding, raising, and
fattening poultry at a minimum cost, so that the export trade is a
matter of prime importance to them. :

It is essential, then, that the subject should be carefully studied,
so that the article to be exported should be of the finest quality.

Poultry can be turned to a source of profit at a very little
expense, and if the farmers of Victoria will pay a little more
.attention to this department of their farms they will be well
repaid, and a constant and easily-earned revenue will be created.

8

It is upon the farm, the orchard, the vineyard, &c., that poultry
raising will be found to pay best, for no extra labour has to be
employed.

For instance, the best breeds have first to be selected, whether
they be for eggs or table purposes ; then proper attention has
to be paid to feeding, hatching, raising, fattening, &c.

One of the principal points which the inexperienced breeder
must have impressed on his mind is-the necessity for economy in
every department of the poultry yard.

Perhaps no department of the farm takes less capital to begin
than poultry, yet the returns are rapid, and, to the small farmer,
this is a matter of much importance.

Triat SHIPMENTS.

The three trial shipments of poultry, sent to London under the
surpervision of the Department of Agriculture, have proved that
our produce will command a ready sale so long as it is of good
quality. Very short notice was given to breeders that the
Department of Agriculture intended to supervise the shipments
of dressed poultry, consequently none of the birds sent home
were specially prepared or fattened, and the three trial shipments
can be set down as ordinary farm or market poultry.

When Victorian farmers are thoroughly alive to the importance
of poultry as an industry, and have grasped the methods used in
breeding, the shipments which leave our shores should be superior
to those which were sent to test the English markets, and which
realized the following prices :—

Ducks wes “es ere 10s. per pair.
Chickens ... wate sia 8s. is

The farmers have an unlimited {market in England, and they
have a great future before them in the poultry industry.

Hovsine anp ACCOMMODATION.

The first consideration is to select a good dry position, with as
much fall as possible, on which to erect the poultry-house and
breeding pens.

Good dry runs are a necessity, especially in the winter months,
and are of as much importance as shelter in the hot summer
weather. |

9

A lean-to poultry-house can be built at a moderate cost, and
the size can be regulated according to the number of birds to
be kept, as overcrowding is one of the great causes of disease.

Fow!l-houses should always face the east.

Ventilation should always be provided, the ventilators to be
placed.in the upper parts of the buildings.

The great matter is to see that fowls are always kept warm in
winter months, and to take care that they do not become
exhausted by overheating in summer months.

The roosts should all be placed on one level,'‘and should not
be more than 18 inches from the floor, and should be 18 inches
apart. They should be about 2 inches broad and rounded off
at the edges.

In districts where bark can be obtained it can be used in
building fowl-houses as a substitute for wood.

Droprines AS A MANURE.

The droppings from the fowls should be cleaned out regularly
and kept dry in a remote corner of the yard selected to store it.
If allowed to rot for a time an excellent manure will be obtained,
and this can be sold at high prices, for it is much sought after by
nurserymen or those carrying on business of that nature.

Stock To BREED FROM.

The selection of stock for breeding purposes is a matter
requiring much consideration. The three classes into which
fowls may be divided are—

1. The table fowl.
2. The general purpose fowl.
8. The egg producer.

At present we shall only deal with the two former, as the-egg-
producing stock will come under consideration in another work.

For the development of the export trade, it must be borne in
mind that “quality of flesh” and “quick maturing” are two
factors which stand out prominently. To produce a bird which
will mature early and pile on good sweet flesh at the same time
ought to be the aim of the poultry raiser.

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FIG. 3.—PAIR OF INDIAN GAME FOWLS.

He should select the best of table and general purpose breeds
as mentioned below—

1. Indian Game cock with hens of the following breeds :—
Dorkings, Orpingtons, Scotch Greys, Langshans, Plymouth
Rocks, and Wyandottes.

2. Dorking cock with hens of the following breeds :—Orping-
tons, Scotch Greys, Langshans, Indian Game, Plymouth Rocks,
and Wyandottes.

3. Plymouth Rock cock with hens of any of above breeds
except Wyandottes and-Plymouth Rocks.

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4. Orpington cock with hens of any of above breeds.

5. Langshan cock with hens of any of above breeds.

6. Wyandotte cock with hens of any of the above breeds
excepting Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes.

7. Scotch Grey cock with hens of any of above breeds.

It is necessary to secure young vigorous birds to breed from,
and each season fresh males should be introduced, of a different
strain, so as to prevent in-breeding.

About six hens should be mated to each cock bird, so as to
insure fertile eggs.

FIG. 4.—PAIR OF SILVER-LACED WYANDOTTES.

How To Improve OrpiInaRy BaRrn-DooR Fow.s.

‘Select the largest hens, and mate them with vigorous cock
birds of the following breeds :—Dorkings, Indian Game, Orping-
tons, Plymouth Rocks, Langshans, and Wyandottes, Fresh cock
birds of any of the above breeds should be introduced each season
so as to improve the size and prevent in-breeding.

BREEDING-YARDS.

To breed systematically for export it will be necessary in all
cases to have proper breeding-yards for the stock birds. These,
of course, will only be in use during ‘the breeding season, which

12

may be said to begin in August. Breeding pens can be erected at
a very little cost. Of course, much depends on the number of
birds it is intended to raise in a season. If the breeder intends to
enter largely into the business, he will have to erect pens sufficient
to hold the desired number of stock birds.

‘Shelter should be provided in the shape of trees, &c.; creepers,
such as passion fruit, should be planted to provide shelter. Where
grass cannot be obtained, it is desirable to provide green food, such
as cabbage and lettuce. It is necessary to have in the breeding-
yards a supply of grit, lime or old mortar, oyster shells or burnt
bones (crushed), fresh water daily, which must be kept out of the
sun. To keep the roosting-house sweet and free from vermin, use
lime and carbolic. Nests should be placed in the back portion or
sides of each house, so that the eggs can be easily collected from
the outside through a door made for that purpose.

FIG. 5.—PAIR OF DORKINGS,

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CoLLectinge Ecos.

All eggs should be collected daily. On no account should they.
be allowed to remain in the nest at night, for they induce the hens
to become broody. A cool cellar or some similar place should be
used for the storage of eggs. They should be placed in racks
with the small end uppermost.

MetnHops oF Harcuine.

We now come to the hatching of the eggs, and in this matter it
is well to follow nature as closely as possible.

First a shed facing the east should be built, 2ft. 6in. high and
2 feet wide, allowing a 2ft. 6in. compartment for each bird with a
separate door to each, the length of the shed to be according to
the number of nests required. By adopting the above plan the
hens are protected from pests, such as foxes, &c., found in country
districts. Each pen should be numbered so as the due dates of
hatching can be easily recorded. This shed should’ be built on
ground with as much fall as possible to: protect the nests from
flood water. The nests should be made on the ground by removing
sufficient earth so as to form a natural nest with the addition of a
little straw or dry grass. To prevent vermin the nest should be
sprinkled with powdered sulphur or carbolic. About three days
before hatching sprinkle the eggs with warm water. After the
hen has settled down to the nest she should be allowed out daily
for a run and feed.

The best sitters are hen turkeys which can be made to set at
any time, without being broody, by giving them a teaspoonful of
port wine before placing on the nest. They will each cover
twenty eggs, and bring out three to four clutches without leaving
the nest, the chickens being removed to foster-mothers or ordinary
hens (which have chickens of the same age), and a fresh setting
of eggs supplied to the sitting turkey. Barn-door hens selected
for brooders should be of a moderate size. Incubators can be
used to advantage, but require more attention and are not so
reliable as the natural bird.

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FIG. 6,—ORPINGTON COCK.

LeneGra or TIME REQUIRED To Hatcu.

The time taken in hatching very often varies according to cir-
cumstances ; for instance, a good close sitter, in warm weather,
will hatch ordinary fowls’ eggs on the twentieth day, that is pro-
viding they were very fresh when set, whilst eggs that are stale

15

and set in cold weather may take two days longer to hatch. How

ever, the following may be taken as the average times occupied
in hatching :—

Ordinary fowls oo a0 21 days.
Ducks a pee ae 28 days.
Turkeys... oes ies 26 to 29 days.
Geese ees av eat 30 days.

How anD WHEN TO Test Ecos.

It has been previously stated that the poultry breeder should
always keep a record of the dates upon which various batches of
eggs areset. This is most essential, for on or after the seventh
day the eggs under the sitters should be tested, and the unfertile
eggs removed from the nests. These can be boiled and used
for chicken food.

When several hens or turkeys are set at one time the fertile
eggs can be moved io other nests, thus keeping a fair number of
eggs under each sitter, and allowing the breeder to put fresh
sittings of eggs under the hens from which the first batches of eggs
have been removed.

The fertility of an egg can be tested in the manner as shown
in Figure No. 7. The hen should be removed from the nest at
night-time whilst testing the eggs, which should be held in front
of a light in the manner shown. If the egg is fertile the centre

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will appear black or hazy, but if unfertile it will appear perfectly
white. A fertile egg gradually becomes darker as the formation
of the chicken increases.

The egg shells should be removed from the nest when the eggs
are hatched.

How to Rear CHICKENS.

Chickens do not require any food for twelve hours after they
are hatched. The first few meals should consist of hard-boiled
eggs, bread crumbs, and oatmeal, mixed with very little milk or
water, so as to be almost dry and crumbly. After this, feed on
pollard, barley-meal, or boiled potatoes, with a little bran mixed
through; in all cases scald it with milk or water, the former pre-
ferred. Animal food and bone-meal should be mixed through the
food twice a week. For the first few weeks the chickens should
be kept in dry situations. As the age increases the young birds
should be fed on corn, such as crushed wheat, crushed maize, but
in every case should have soft food (scalded) in the morning. As
soon as the sexes can be distinguished, separate the cockerels,
placing them into grazing yards. They require regular and con-
stant feeding in being prepared for market.

How To Fatten.

The process of fattening is of the utmost importance in the
export trade, and upon it will depend much of the success which
is anticipated in this business. To fatten a fowl is practically to
ripen it, and once this stage is secured it is useless to continue
fattening or ripening a bird any longer; the natural course after
ripening in anything is decay, andsoin poultry. Of course, birds
required for egg purposes or breeding should never be fattened,
and it is only those required for table purposes which should
undergo the process. We have hinted that only birds required
for immediate use should be fattened. In the export trade nothing
but young birds from three to six months old are to be used, so
that shippers will have to take into consideration the time neces-
sary to fatten and place the bird in good condition. To fatten
young stock the food used must be of a flesh-producing nature,
such as that previously mentioned, namely :— Wheat, barley, maize,
and for a change, dun peas.

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FIG. 8.—PAIR OF AYLESBURY DUCKS.

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FIG, 9.—PAIR OF PEKIN DUCKS.

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BREEDING DUCKS FOR EXPORT.

A great feature in duck breeding is that they mature speedily,
and for this trade ten to twelve weeks will be found quite sufficient
time to raise and fatten a duck for export. In dealing with the
question of duck breeding much that has been said in regard to
raising fowls will cover the same purpose. The breeder has to
consider the same principles, such as economy, early hatching,
quick-maturing, crossing, feeding, and fattening ; but with ducks
there are only three breeds to consider; these are :—Aylesbury,
Rouens, and Pekins. ,

A system of crossing should be adopted on the following
lines :-—

1, Aylesbury drake with Pekin ducks.

2. Pekin drake with Aylesbury ducks.

8. Rouen drake with Aylesbury or Pekin ducks.
4, Aylesbury or Pekin drakes with Rouen ducks.

To improve any of the common or ordinary stock, pure drakes
of the above breeds should be introduced which will produce size,
and give a better class of duck for the succeeding season.
The Pekin is noted as an egg producer ; the Aylesbury having
the colour and quality of flesh. The Rouen is regarded as the
most hardy, but, being dark in feather, the flesh is not so good in
colour as either the Aylesbury or Pekin. The crossing as
previously mentioned will tend to produce the most desirable
class of duck for export. Drakes used for breeding should be at
least nine months old to insure fertile eggs, and about six ducks
should be given to each drake.

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House ror Ducks.

Any kind of a house will almost do for ducks, but it must
be dry and snug for them in winter months, and during the
breeding season. It is always well to supply plenty of room so
that the ducks are not overcrowded. The accompanying illustra-
tion is extremely useful; it provides eight large pens, six of
which are 9 feet by 9 feet, and two 18 feet by 9 feet. The par-
titions dividing the pens are 3 feet high. The enclosure is 27
feet by 18 feet. The outside measurement of the building, which
is of wood, is 36 feet by 36 feet, height at ridge 8 feet, and at
eaves 6 feet, and the gates, which are double, are 7 feet wide.
The doors are 5 feet by 2ft. 6in., over which and right along
the top of the house, under the eaves, is run a piece of strong
wire netting, 1 foot wide, thus giving abundance of light and
ventilation. ‘The floors should be kept clean and dry. The roof
can be covered with bark or palings. Of course, this plan can be
made larger or smaller according to the size required by the
breeder, and it should be of great advantage to those living in
‘districts where the fox or other pests abound, for the ducks will
be safe from the ravages of all vermin when housed in a building
such as that illustrated herein.

Dvuck-pPonps.

For the breeding stock some kind of a duck-pond should be
provided, as it is required to insure good results in the hatching
of eggs, which are always more fertile when this plan is adopted.
It is advisable to keep the ducks closed in a suitable shed at
night, as they usually lay at this time or early in the morning.
Young ducks should be kept away from the ponds if they are
intended for market purposes.

Hatcuine Duck.ines.

The best methods to adopt in hatching is to set the eggs under
hen turkeys or common hens; incubators can be profitably em-
ployed. Moisture should be freely supplied in very warm weather.
When the ducklings are hatched they can be removed from the
mothers to suitable boxes, each to contain a clutch of about a
dozen birds. These boxes should have straw on the bottoms or
some substitute to impart warmth. These are all that young
ducks require, and such will act as foster-mothers. The nests
employed should be the same as those previously described for
hatching chickens. The best time to begin hatching is August.

21

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FIG. 10..—A DUCK HOUSE.

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Duck-YARDs.

Yards should be provided for fattening purposes about 12 feet
square; these will accommodate 40 young ducks comfortably. The
yards should be erected in a position where the ducks will not be
disturbed, as the birds should be kept as quiet as possible when
being prepared for the market. In each pen a long shed 4 feet
wide can be provided, built of bark, palings, or any such
material, this will form shelter and protection at night-time.
Fences 3 feet high will suffice. The position of the duck-yards
should be on sloping ground with sufficient fall to carry off any
extra flow of water. The roof of the shed should fall to the
back so as to carry the drainage away. On the outside of the
fence a space of about 6 inches should be left so as to place a
trough for feeding on the outside of the runs with a lid opening
from the top fixed with sufficient fall to carry the water away ;
such lid will protect the sun and rain from the feed and water.
This will be found a great advantage both in time and feeding,
and saves entering the yards and disturbing the birds. This is a
clean and easy method of feeding ducks.

How to Farren Duck ines.

After leaving the shell ducklings should be fed on oatmeal or
pollard, scalded with milk or water, for the first fortnight ; then,
as they increase in age, give them any of the following :—Maize-
meal, barley-meal, boiled potatoes, mixed with a little bran;
scalded wheat should be given as the last feed at night-time.
Anima] food and bone-meal should be mixed through their feed
about twice a week. They should be fed regularly, and not less
than four feeds a day ; a little and often will do more good than
one large feed. No more water than is sufficient for drinking
purposes should be allowed in the fattening yards. Green feed
and grit should always be supplied. A duckling at ten to twelve
weeks’ old should weigh 4 lbs. live weight ; and, as they increase
in age up to six months, the heavier the bird is the better for the
producer, as the buyers in the English market are guided by the
weight of the birds.

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FIG. 11.—PAIR OF ROUEN DUCKS.

24

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FIG. 12.—BRONZE TURKEY COCK.

25

BREEDING TURKEYS FOR EXPORT.

To breed turkeys, plenty of land is required to rear them upon
with success, as they naturally seek for their own food. It is
always advisable to feed them each evening at the homestead
which they will look for, thus saving a lot of trouble, as turkeys
are noted for wandering very much from their homes. The best
method to adopt in breeding is to secure the largest birds
obtainable, and to be successful, breed from gobblers in their
second season, as the results of hatching will be more satisfactory.
The bronze-wing turkeys are noted for size, quick-maturing, and
quality of flesh—the breasts being longer and carrying more meat
than other sorts, therefore, this breed is recommended for crossing
with the largest hens of the ordinary stock. It is essential to
introduce a gobbler of a fresh strain each season. A shed should
be built without roosts for turkeys to be housed in at night to
protect them from the weather and pests, such as the fox, &c.
Turkeys prefer roosting on fences and trees round the homestead,
and these will serve the same purpose if the locality is suitable.

Hatcuingc TURKEYS.

The best method is to erect a hatching shed similar to that
described on page 13. Hen turkeys make the best sitters and
will cover about thirteen eggs each. All nests should be on the
ground. ‘Turkey hens can be made to sit at all times, but those
should be selected which are not laying for this purpose. After
the seventh or eighth day the unfertile eggs should be removed
and used for chicken food.

Frreving Youne TuRKEys.

Young turkeys require much attention for the first few weeks;
the food should consist of hard-boiled eggs, chopped-up onions,
boiled rice, bread crumbs, oatmeal, pollard, and bran, which should
be scalded with milk or water, the former preferred; this should
be mixed so as to be almost dry and crumbly. Tender green food
should be supplied. Bone-meal and animal food should be mixed
through the food once or twice a week. As the birds increase
in age, grain should be used for the evening meal, such as barley,

26

whole maize, wheat, &c. Good dry places should be provided
for the young birds; they should not be housed too much.
Turkeys required for this trade should be well fed, as the buyers
in the English market are guided by the size and weight of the
bird.

Turkey gobblers under twelve months should weigh not less than
12 lbs. live weight ; hen turkeys not less than 7 Ibs. live weight;
the heavier the better for the producer. If the birds are fed as
described above the weights mentioned will be largely increased.

28

FIG. 18.—EMBDEN GANDER,

BREEDING GEESE FOR EXPORT.

Farmers should breed from the largest geese obtainable of the
common sort, introducing a gander of either the Toulouse or
Embden breed. It is advisable to always breed from a gander in
his second season to insure fertile eggs. A shed should be pro-
vided to protect the geese at night-time, from which the eggs can
be collected daily in the season. The breeding stock should not
be overfed. Five geese should be run with each gander. A pond,
if available, will be found beneficial.

HatcHine and FEEDING GOSLINGS.

The nests should be made on the ground, and good-sized hens,
as well as geese, can be used for hatching, giving them as many
eggs as they can conveniently cover.. The same methods of
feeding should be adopted as that recommended for ducklings.
In order to prepare goslings for the market it is necessary to feed
well from the time they are hatched. Goslings from four to six
months, if properly fed, should weigh about 10 Ibs. live weight.

FaTtEning YaArps,

Suitable yards should be provided for fattening, allowing about
12 feet square for every twenty goslings. A shed and feeding-
troughs should be erected, similar to that recommended for ducks
on page 21, and the food should also be similar to that advised
for fattening ducklings. Goslings should be allowed good grass
runs for the first ten weeks previous to their being placed in the
fattening yards.

FIG. 14.—PAIR OF TOULOUSE GEESE.

31

CRATES FOR POULTRY.

Crates 4 feet long, 2ft. 3in. wide, 15 inches high will hold
fifteen pairs of fowls, or twelve pairs of ducks ; if used for ducks,
a partition should be run across the centre to prevent the ducks
rushing to one end and damaging each other. A crate for turkey
gobblers, 4 feet long, 2ft. 3in. wide, 18 inches high will hold
twelve gobblers, or twenty hen turkeys, or twelve geese. In
making these crates, the bottoms should be made close, and coniain
straw or dry grass to protect the breasts of the birds. Zinc or
leather labels should be used, with name and address properly
painted on, and attached to each crate.

By Authority: Rost. 8. Bray, Government Printer, Melbourne.

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