POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

(By "Chanticleer.")

The demand for cubs the Inst two weeks has been Very free, tUo housewife evidently ' being. willing to pay 2s. a dozen or thereabouts, but not more. Storolieecers; report that the demand would make it appear that a higher prico could he obtained; but past experience at this time of tho year iB that if we have about a week's warm weather supplies would "tumble!" in, metaphorically speaking. and probably two or threo weeks would clap tic. before tho demand would catch up, and eggs being a highly porishablo artiolt;. which must bo Bold fresh, prices would 1 be forced down to . a figure that would average far less than if a . steady demand had been 'Sept up. Tho question of very high and very low prices alternately is most disturbing to tho retailer, who would leave eggs, severely, alono rather than take tho risk of a loss 1 were it not that he lias to stock them. Poultrymcn would be Btudying tlicir own interest if they would give this aspcot of the Question their sympathy. , Tho Breed or the Strain. One of the most u'eijuent questions asked by tho amateurs, who want to start poulirykeepiug is: "What .8 the bost breed of.fowls to keep for laying?" If our competition returuß are examined it will be seen that White Leghorns are sometimes leading, and White Leghorns are also ai the bottom of the list. Again, it will be seen that some heavy breeds are about oven with the leading light breeds. To say that the White Leghorn is the best breed tn keep would bo misleading, becauao it i* not the "breed" that you should rely qii, but the "•strain." It is a oomniou. experience to hear of ccrtoin fowls laying an extraordinary number of eggs, and of others that have been given equiil caro and attention yet give most disappointing results in comparison. Often the method of feeding is attributed as the cause, or tho attendant is takon to task for neglect, or the owner might even blame himself for his lack of knowledge as regards poultrykeeping. The feeding may be correct, the attendance may be constant, and the general knowledge required sufficient, but tlie importance of the "strain" may have been totally overlooked. The breeders may have been purchased on their appearance, the buyer relying entirely on his own judgment. In some, instances, this may be all that is required, but in the great majority of cases i it is not. Tho proof of the Pudding is in the eating, and the breeders should bo from stock that has been put to tho test. I would go even further, and say that tho test shall havo been a sustained one; not «. sprint, or. a win for one Beason. To gain the distinction as n. breeder, I would expect and even demand that it be near the top a second time, proving thereby that the Btock had staiuina. That being achieved, the results deserve attention, and value placed on the performance. It may not be genTally recognised, but the consistent winner of an egg-laying competition is a. public benefactor, and he who takes advantage keeps poultry that should bo profitable under even brdinary conditions. To eet back then to our heading "The Breed or the Strain," it will be seen that the breed- to keep is the one you fancy. The heavy breeds, have a usefulness which the lighter ones.--have not, and the lighter breeds havo qualities which tho heavies have been denied, and when it is asked: "Which is the best to keep for laying?" X repeat,'it is. not the breed; it is the strain iliat must receive attention, and now that .poultry foodß. aro bo expensivo, it is most essential that if your flock is to return you a profit, no risk should bo taken. ■ The breed you fancy must be one that has, in a: sovere and impartial competition. won a prominent position."