THE BREEDER'S CHOICE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 104, 5 May 1933, Page 12

THE BREEDER'S CHOICE

EXHIBITION OR UTILITY

Poultry-keepers are divided into two <*r three classes. The fancier breeds for exhibition, or external points, and ouiiesrru.s to produce the perfect standard bird; the commercial poultryman keeps fowls for their value as producers, and sometimes cares little for their-ap-pearance, so long as they lay well or praduce good table meat; then the third class consists of those experienced breeders who realise that a good all-round strain of fowls pays better than either extreme. These latter do not aim at winning show prizes or egglaying contests, but rather to stock a, strain that are pleasing to the eye of the expert, and at the same time are yet good layers of two-ounce eggs. It is as well that the novice appreciates the wide difference between the fancy-bred bird and the egg-contest winner.' Often he thinks that by buying a winning show bird, and another with a high egg record, that the progeny of such a mating will produce both firstclass show birds and also good layers. By experience he'will learn that such a mating will produce nothing of value at all. The fancier has spent many years of careful breeding to produce colour, size, shape of feather; length of shanks, and type. The egg-producer cares little for such external points, but by trap-nesting or single-penning, breeds each year from bis best layers. Both are good breeders, and have achieved their desire. But the two classes should: not be mixed. Today, more than over, there is a tendency to wipe out extremes and aim for a dual-purpose bird that is useful and at the same time true to its standard. An-obvious example is found in the Orpington breed. Established about 1895 by William Cook, the original Orpington was a dual-purpose bird. A good layer, a good table bird, and a useful show bird, it at once claimed much attention. The fancier, scenting something new and profitable, started in to improve the show points, until some ten or fifteen years later we had the Giant Fancy show'bird. She had long, loose feathers, and certainly was a wonderful achievement.' The utility breeder, particularly in Australia, also took up the Orpington, but retained and improved' the" egg-laying^ ability, of Cooks' original birds. Now,. in 1933, we have the' two classes quite distinct, ana whUst.;the name .Orpington is. claimed as correct in the colonies, back in the Oia:Counf;ry. they call the-Aus-tralian utility Orpington the "£****' lorti '' Yet old breeders say that the Australorp is the real Cook V Orping-. ton. Both classes ;of bird will remain, and really the fancy bird should receiye.tMjieMr.name...._. "■ IMPORTANCE OF STRAIN. Only 3TJtk.breeding. experience will the novice realise the importance of "strain.:".:. Strain.means "a family oi any variety ■' of::pottltry,:tha.t possesses, and reproduces with marked, regularity, common' individual characteristics which-distinguishthisfrom other tamilies, ofi the same variety." It is sel-doW^alised-ttat. strain, pays such an, important-part in a poultry-breeding nrojjramme. There are many succeesf^Sders.who never establish thear own-strain. - They, regularly, .outcross "vith the.best blood they can obtain, an* thus maintain a strong line of iieef^S^.But,tha^pecialist Dreedor, usiSFthe^hne common sense, and keeping in mind the value of consUtuSl vigour,.line breeds,- inbreeds, Sg'oos on with the same strain year cah sell their best birds and jet progta completely/ lost, until in time.he Pr£^rt^ the with his owi good strain is that he tends to breed to\is own V^cy" instead of keeping to the standard laid down for his brfea., If. he prefers a ong tail, then his strain will have a long tail, and the devil take the standard. Thus we have the large combed Minorca, the fluffy Orpington, the stilted Langshan, and other monstrosities. First of all, master the meaning of the standard ot your breed. If the standard is really at fault, others will agree with you, and through your poultry club you have the opportunity of revising that standard every few years. Continual changing of the standard is, of course, impossible, but periodically slight -modifications aTe made. . *_ During the past, decade we have been a little too commercial ..iii New Zealand Many of our wonderful fancy breeds .-have been; lost, ana today there is a distinct' revival of exhibiUon poultry. . . . . ■■.-.,