UTILITY POULTRY CLUB

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21391, 6 February 1935, Page 17

UTILITY POULTRY CLUB

#—. EFFECTS OF DRY WEATHER The ducks entered for the New Zealand Utility Poultry. Club's laying competitions at Papanui have suffered so much from the dry weather that they have been disinclined to lay, and according to a report of the caretaker (Mr A. Bond) to a meeting of the club last evening they may stop laying altogether if the present conditions continue. Mr W. Turner presided at the meeting. Mr Bond reported that one or two heavy breeds and a few white leghorns were moulting slightly, but would probably be laying in a short time. The ducks were laying very badly because of the dry weather. Only about six of them were at present producing eggs. If the same conditions continued the competition might end with no birds laying. Green rood Supply The report of the management committee presented by Mr J. W. Thomson stated that the supply of green food at the competition pens was good, in spite of the dry season. The lucerne was the chief source of green food, and was doing well. The lettering of competitors' names on the pens was a credit to the caretaker. Steps had been taken to clean birds affected with scaly leg. The Christchurch Poultry. Pigeon, Canary, and Cat Club wrote asking the club to send delegates to a meeting of specialists' clubs to consider the holding of a young bird show. Messrs D. A. McKie, F. Ashworth, J W Thomson, C. Sanderson, J. Mill, T. S. Dove, M. C. Craig, and J. C. Warlow were appointed delegates. Instructor's Retirement The club decided to entertain and make a presentation to Mr F. C. Brown, retiring chief Government poultry instructor, on Monday next, and to co-operate with any other body in holding a similar function. The report of the education committee stated that the next educational evening would be held on the third Tuesday in March. Addresses would be given by Mr C. J. Cussen on "Selection of Birds for Egg-laying Tests,' and "The Feeding and Care of Pullets for Winter Production." A practical talk would be given by Mr J. D. Gobbe on black orpingtons, and another by Mr D. McKie on australorps.