FEATHERED FANCY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 5

FEATHERED FANCY

When building a fowlhouse you should consider economy, growth, convenience, and warmth.

It has been discussed, on several occasions, whether it is advisable to use corrugated iron for the covering of fowlhouses and runs. It has beeu stated that unless it has a wood lining, it is too cold in winter and too warm in summer. To use iron and wood makes the structure a fairly expensive one. Some fanciers only use the • wooden roof, giving it a few coats of tar. Perhaps the following will be of interest: After fixing the match-boarding or roof (which, by the way, should be fixed vertically, so that the rain would run down lengthwise and not across) and tarring same all over, get a sack or two (coarse material preferred), cut the side and end open, and then spread same over the roof. Put a tack in here and there to keep in position. Get a bucketful of tar and add 61b of pitch broken up into pieces; boil together until the pitch is melted, and then pour it over the sacking until you just cover it. Start at the top, and the tar will run down until the whole is covered. If deemed advisable, a little coarse \ sand can be sprinkled over tlia tarred sacking before the tar is set. You will then have a roof to last for years, and it will require a hammer and chisel to take off the sacking when properly set. If the poultry-keeper has a spare piece of oilcloth, this will be found a suitable substitute for the sacking, and can be treated in exactly the same way. Tarred felt is occasionally used as a covering, but this is a trifle expensive, whereas tarred sacking or oilcloth, whilst ally save the pocket. Coarse brown paper ally save the picket. Coarse brown paper can also be used. Both sides should be well tarred and the top sprinkled with sand. No matter what material is used, it should be tarred at least once a year, in fact the oftener it is tarred the longer it will last.

A few days ago I called on Mr S. Spedding at his residence at Opawa, to haA-e a look at his pheasants. Since my last visit Mr Spedding has erected a gigantic aviary 90ft by 24ft. It is covered with small-mesh wire netting, and will be very suitable for small birds. Besides the Amhurst Pheasants, the Golden Chinese and Peacock Pheasants have also been added. On my first visit the cock Amhurst was not in feather; he is at present in perfect plumage, the head shield being simply beautiful, and those who have not seen the bird would scarcely credit the manner in which the , head properties can be worked. In addition to Mr Spedding's, we have some Golden" Chinese at the gardens. . The peacocks, I believe, are the only ones in the Domiuion. They are smaller than the other two varieties, and do not seem to have the same gamey appearance. The tail is bushy, and is spread out like a fan. The birds are of a dark grey colour, with markings of royal blue colour plumage in the shape of and resembling large beads. They are handsome birds. I am pleased to see Mr Spedding taking up this hobby. At one time a large number of the ordinary English pheasant was bred, but breeders latterly have dropped oujt. The English pheasant is a well marked bird, but in the Amhurst Chinese and Peacock, one could scarcely believe that such beautiful birds existed.

At a meeting of the Live Stock Importing Club the present unsettled state of the world was considered. The president advised the members, in view of the trouble, to suspend operations for the present, and it was unanimously decided to do so. It is to be regretted that it was necessary to take such steps, but under the circumstances the step is a wise one. Should matters improve it was left for the president and secretary to arrange the next meeting.

Unless the house is properly ventilated, you need look for nothing but ill results. Without proper ventilation, the occupants of the hen house cannot remain healthy. Vitality you must have in your fowls. If the ventilation of the sleeping house is first class, then the vitality must foilow, all other, conditions prevailing.

By the last mail Mr J. W. Green, of St. Albans, received a further repeat order for six hens and one cock of his White Leghorns from Mr H. N. Wheeldon, of Johannesburg. Of the birds to hand, Mr Wheeldon describes them as being thoroughly satisfactory. The male bird he is more than pleased with. This speaks well for the laying breeds of the Dominion, and further proves that the records of our egg-laying competitions are fully considered in other parts of the world.

Certainly the prizes at a poultry, pigeon, or canary show are not large. It has been stated that a breeder will not make his entry fees out of exhibiting. Quite so, but take into consideration the advertisement, and one can well I'ead the previous paragraph. If Mr Green had not played such a prominent part in the 1912 competition probably Mr Wheeldon would not have heard of him. Another instance of the value of exhibitions and egg-laying competitions.

Always keep on the move for vermin, of they will keep you 011 the '' move.''

I have to thank the secretary of the Laying Competition for the show points awarded in the Studholme test now being conducted at the Papanui test. Total points, 20: — Verrall Bros. 13, W. Mercer JO, Verrall Bros. 17, Dominion Poultry Plant

(By '' GRIT. n

1(5, ITeretaunga Poultry Co. No. 2 15, Glencoe Poultry Ranch 14, W. O. Sail 1.1, A. R. Browne 14, Mrs J. Mills 16, G. Clarke L'>, Rangiuru Egg Ranch 10, G. Bonnett 12, I). Y. Gibson 1.4, Atkinson Bros. 10, Wainoni Poultry Farm 12, J. Wordsworth 15, 11. S. Woodwortli 12, H. F. Herbert 17, 11. Leger 15, J. Mclllwraith 20, T. White 12, T. Yose 14, B. P. L. (.'layton 1.1, R. James 12, N. Solomon 14, R. A. Lazarus 10, Heretaunga Poultry Co. No. 1 14, Wainoni Poultry Farm 11, J. W. Green 18, Willis and Son 15, G. Clark 13, J. Corrie 17, M. Stewart 19, A. G. Brailey 15, A. W. Adams 10, Calder Bros. 18, L. T. Wright 14. W. E. Green 11, W. Davey 15, R. W. Hawlte 17, J. W. Green 11, T. Ivrarup 17, T. Kennedy 20, J. B. Merrett 16, T. Fazachehley 18, Mrs J. W. Green 0, W. Scull 4, R. Munger 11, Miss Rita Nixon 12, Miss R. E. Laing 8, A. R. Browne 8, Miss E. Willis 12, J. B. Merrett 12, J. B. Merrett 9, A. W. Adams 8, Jas. Aslitou 10. T. Kennedy 12, Thos. Wilson 6, W. E. Green 6, R. Roxburgh 8. It will be noticed that the judges awarded Mr T. Kennedy's White Wyandottes the possible score (20) and Mr J. W. Green's Black Wyandottes failed to score a point. Mr W. Scull, the other breeder of Black Wyandottes, scored 4. At a future date I will give the standard for Black Wyandottes; breeders will then know what is required. The points for the weights in the Studholme test have not yet been checked by the club's auditor. As soon as completed I hope to be able to publish them here. In the report of the result of the winter tests in connection with the egg laying competition, it states: —"At the close of the test the light breeds were all laying eggs weighing 2oz each or over, with the exception of six pens. The weather was cold and wet during May and June, but July was a good month. The sample of the eggs from the heavy breeds taken on. the whole is disappointing only six pens of the eighteen competing laying 2oz eggs or over." The annual meeting of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Club will be held at the rooms on Monday evening, when business of an important nature will be discussed. The club has had a fairly successful season. No doubt the annual show is a very costly item, and requires every care and attention to bring it out on the right side of the ledger. I understand the present executive will seek re-election. Have you noticed how your birds delight to get at the cinder heap. , Charcoal should be given them freely. To have a good egg supply in the dear season now is the time to hatch. "

At a meeting of severa 1 of the old members of the/Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Caiiary Club held at the rooms during last week, it was decided to arrange a prize in memory of the late Mr G. A. Macquarrie and will be competed for at the annual shows of the club,

The secertary of the South. Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Associarings NZD were meeting Avith a; very tion reports that the association pigeon good sale.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Homing Pigeon Society was held at the Poultry Club rooms on Wednes 7 day evening last; a report will appear in our next issue.