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The Year Round: The new arrivals beginning to lay their eggs
The new crop of point of lay pullets was installed at White Smocks a fortnight ago. Six deliveries were needed to bring the total to 30,000 plus 2,800 cockerels so we had some busy days.
The first loads arrived at 6.30am to avoid the heat of the day. They travelled only from their hatchery near Thirsk to this Northallerton area farm and the short journey was far better from every point of view. Our 74 lowland acres revolve around poultry and pigs, the latter being in a routine phase where work is concerned.
The first egg has already been laid by the new arrivals, which all look well. We shall soon be very busy collecting and grading their eggs, which are destined to hatch into chickens to grow into broilers. These eggs must have sound shells to stand up to the strains of incubation and we adjust their rations accordingly.
Fertility is an important factor, and we weigh a sample bunch of birds to ensure their live weight is being maintained. This is an indication that a long incubation period is likely.
Lighting is controlled in these new houses and comes on for limited periods. A trough space of six inches per bird is allowed, there is ample room for all to feed together without the greedy ones stealing more than their share.
Our fields of winter barley wheat look reasonably satisfactory, the latter having had its flag leaf spray. Spring barley received a dressing of slurry at drilling time and now looks extra well. All cereals in the area welcomed some rain, but we hope to avoid damaging thunderstorms.
The Great Yorkshire Show begins on Tuesday, July 14 at Harrogate for three days. Mother and father usually attend this annual event, where they always meet a number of old friends. A favourite county show, it retains its farming bias more than some which have become more dominated by urban tastes.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
