EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1031, 21 January 1911, Page 11

EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

(By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Ohristohurch, January 20. The week's return of 1299 !shows a slight decline. "Ducks totalled 157. The highest individual totals are: Anketill, 35; Wilson. 33; Corrie, 33; Sail, 32; Willis, 32. The highest aggregates to date are: knight, 1189; Sail, 1185; Balch, 1170; Smith,-1163. . The highest ■individnal totals in ducks are: Strong, 26; Knight, 25; Hammond, 20. The highest aggregates, duck class: Knight, 1001; Hammond, 918; Knight, 912. Totals: Hens, 53,647; ducks, 9604. Lessons for Poultryman. New Zealand, is apt without its'failures among poultrymen. Being a new industry, it is much easier to criticise when we have the experience of others to go by, than it is to offer valuable suggestions at the right time. New Zealand failures have been lamentable. Good managers are hard to secure. There are plenty who volunteer for the s work, but have no experience. The men who could manage aro in business -on their own account, and doing too well to be attracted with a salary; yet, it is difficult; : to' believe .that, in most'cases, these ventures should have failed, for often private enterprise has stepped in when other concerns went to the-wall, and has made a success of things. In. Australia the same weaknesses have been shown. Each of the causes given for theiailure should have been avoided. They are all the.result of want of experience; ; Managing a certain section of a Government office is ono tiling; managing a general business for poultry products is quite another. "No ono knowing his business would have taken tho- risks that the South Australian, Government took. , Even the very rudi-ments-of'the business they failed to understand. The poultrymen of Adelaide were in for- a good time, and. vfill no-.doubt miss the paternal assistance accorded them last year. Co-oporation—it's Needi ' • .Co-operation, on a sound basis is desirable, but it, is difficult for' poultrypien to organise themselves, as is. being done in other industries. ■ . They have access to a market in every locality. They are spread over a. large area of country. The market value of oggs does not allow of much commission being paid to agents, while .complete union is hard to secure. It hi questionable whether much progress iii co-operation will be made, while prices remain good. Producers will be satisfied, . and are hot. likelv to .stir themselves , in the matter. *It is better for them- to re.,main as they are than to have a partial ■amalgamation that ean only result in similar failures to those who have al--ready failed. ! '• • • shall-IBSs Eggs. 'S -"&.-ArW.~," Tokomaru, writes : ~-I have some Indian Runners just, started, and the eggs aro without yolk or.shell. They .have a,good supply of moat, green food, .shell grit,' and lime." My correspondent lias been' forcing too much. Tho (lucks are laying too ybung. Cease feeding meat, and use boiled grain. Yours fis : the-penalty we pay for forcing,, and ibecomes' hereditary if forcing rations Ijire coritinutd. r ':Trobably . the. birds 'are 'being disturbed with dogs. - . Broody Hens. "W.H.E.," Khandallah: "Would you advise breeding from White Leghorn hens .that show: signs of broodiness ? ■ If, the broodiness is only occasional, and the hen goes off in a day or two, there is no danger. If she is in the habit of doing it every few weeks, and is persistent, avoid , her as a breeder. If vou have sufficient iion.-sitters, discard the brooders. Coloured Eggs"fc.O.D.," Hutt: "My'.ducks lay eggs ithat are dark green in colour,' and are dmfit for use.", Acorns-.- will do this, i though, access to frogs in a pond is more .likely to be the cause. . Scaly Log. ■ "P.M.," Karori: "Will you give me a cure for-scaly leg. I havo several fowls that contracted this complaint before they matured." What is the cause?" Scaly leg is due to a parasite. You must cleanse your premises, with a good disinfectant. Ircat the hens affected by smearing the legs with tar. Let them.run as usual, and soon the incrustations will peel off ana leace' tho legs clean. Kerosene, emulsions, vaseline, etc., are not' nearly as practical as tar.