NEW POULTEY STANDARDS EGGS FOR EXPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 14

NEW POULTEY STANDARDS

EGGS FOR EXPORT

Published by the North Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association, the new poultry standards are now available to breeders.,' It was in 191S that a committee was first formed to present, a. set of utility standards suitable as • ideals for both fanciers and utility egg-producers, and undoubtedly the new standards have been fashioned to some extent on their work. The first edition was published by the Department of Agriculture, and it is very regrettable that the new standard has not been approved by the poultry instructors who have played such an important part in fixing our utility types. It is over live yea^rs since a revision was mooted, but difficulties arose right from the commencement, and only after four years' deliberation did the North Island Association decide to go ahead independently with tho matter. Before printing, however, tho South Island agreed to approve these standards, and already some shows have been judged under tho new rulings.

Undoubtedly many will find the plates different to their personal ideals, but no standard is likely to bo approved by all individuals, and sinco the present standards have been adopted, they must be accepted as the ideals, until a change is made again. Most'of the work in connection with the publication was covered by Mr. T. Bruce, of Palmerston North, backed by a special committee, whilst the drawings were made by Mr. G. H. Elliott. Many additional breeds have been included in tho new standard, including Langshans, Sussex, Barnevelders, AVellsunimers, and Australorps, and both Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks have also been added. Tho instructions to judges should be carefully studied by all exhibitors. The greatest change which has been made is in tho type of tho Orpington, and the plate shown is that of a loose feathered exhibition type of fowl, though tho written word calls for a closo-feathered bird. It is wonderful what poultry breeders can produce when a standard is set, and if the type illustrated can be produced without losing utility points, New Zealand will have a wonderful Orpington fowl. A change has also been made in the type of the Rhode Island Bed, the new shape being in keeping with the original American standard, which is certainly an improvement. The White Leghorn male shows a different back line, more in keeping with ,tho female, illustration. Unfortunatelyjtho artist responsible has given all tho.birds very strong legs, but this is a very minor point which can easily be overlooked.' ' , Credit is duo to .those.jresponsiblc for bringing out' this new publication, which will shortly bo on sale.