The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1932-01-14
GOOD CHICKS BASED
ON BREEDING STOCK
Over 100000 Lost Annually Thru
Eggs Which Fail to Hatch;
Pick Vigorous Birds

One of the biggest leaks in the
poultry business, perhaps the big
gest, is caused by eggs that never
hatch. Over 100000 worth of eggs
put into Washington incubators
annually, are dead loss because
they never hatch. No chick re-
spends to the call of the hatchery
man and this loss must be includ-
ed in the cost of the chicks that
hatch. This is the reason, says w.
ID. Buchanan, extension poultry
man, Washington State college,
why poultrymen who buy chicks
must pay about two cents chick
more than they would if all eggs
Matched.
Here is loss which effects
everyone in the poultry business.
It can be cut in two If everyone
producing Matching eggs will take
the job seriously. Intelligent care
Of the breeding stock, male and fe-
male, will greatly increase the
number of eggs that hatch, and the
vigor of the chicks Matched.
The first step is the selection
of vigorous hens and roosters for
the breeding pen. This vigor should
manifest itself in a bright, snappy
eye, an alert carriage, breast
bone well covered with muscle as
hard as iron, and a body free from
excessive fat. 1t must be recog-
nized that fat is no evidence of eff
ficiency. The breeder, male or fe-
male, should be up to standard
weight, but the weight should be
muscle, not fat.
The second requirement is ex-
ercise. Exercise alone should in
crease hatchability 20 per cent.
This exercise should begin with
the starting of the moulting sea-
son, in the case of hens. Not for a
single day throughout the hatch
ing season, nor for tvs, months be-
fore should breading stock be al
lowed to loaf. The method n d
place of exercise is not important.
Outdoor range, when it is In such
condition that the birds keep con-
stantly on the move, is fine. When
range is not of this quality, exer-
else must be provided in the house
this means plenty of room, about
four square feet per bird. It means
clean, dry litter, four to five
inches deep, and it means keeping
the litter constantly in this condi-
tion.
After exercise, and with it, comes
feed. The chief items to be rem
embered are the vitamins, though
minerals and proteins must be
present in the proper amounts.
Carbohydrates and fats are in
per-abundance in all rations.
Vitamin A comes first. It's chief
source is green feed. Dry greens,
especially dry alfalfa, must be
added to available succulent greens
during the fall and winter. Deny
drafted alfalfa, because of it's much
greater richness in vitamin A, is
recommended. The aim should be
to keep the yolks too dark to get
into the grade known as extras.
In addition to vitamin A, the
mash should contain minerals and
codliver oil, or some good substi-
tute, to make the minerals avail
able. The man producing Matching
eggs should take no chances on the
presence of vitamin d. Any oil
used should be biologically tested
for potency in the required vita
min.
Milk should form some part of
the breeders ration. The mash
should contain at least five per
cent of powdered milk. II the
price justifies, 10 per cent may
be used. Two pounds of semi-solid,
daily to each 100 hens, or three
quarts of liquid skim milk or pure
buttermilk, will be equal to five
percent powdered milk in the mash
Eggs can and must be made 20
hatch better, declares Mr.. Buch-
anan in conclusion. Exercise, green
feed, codliver oil, and milk will.
help. The greatest of these is ex-
ercise, and it is most frequently
neglected.
Washington Land
Maintains Value