POULTRY NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19712, 12 November 1927, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

[By UTILITY-FANCY.]

“ Ducklings.”—For the first eight ■weeks feed them .live times daily Breadcrumbs moistened with milk and dried off with fine oatmeal or flaked cats (moistened only), with milk ana dusted with fine pollard, _ are. suitable foods, but you should sprinkle a little finely-chopped green food ov.er each meal See that there is no food left after each meal to become soiled and afterwards eaten, and bo careful to provide water to drink and deep enough for them to bury their little heads in. If they oiuipot wash their bills and eyes after each meal whilst drinking food may adhere to their nostrils and eyes, and you will have deaths as a result. A good plan is to servo the food on'_a board or piece of linoleum, upon which sand has been freely spread. This ensures their getting grit from the start. As the eggs are under a duck you need not trouble about sprinkling'water over them unless the duck has no chance to run on the grass when she leaves the nest.

according to their ideal, even as did America. Who was to settle the standard of the Leghorn? it would bo manifestly unfair that the Italian should do so, _as they had never troubled about'it. The Origin of the Breeds.—Professor Giiigi (Italy), in a paper read at the World’s Poultry Congress, said that ho did not agree that the Callus Bankiva was the origin of all‘domestic fowls,’but that some were descended from Gallus Sonnerati, and he gave a number of illustrations showing how some of our breeds of to-day favored the one, and some the other of these ancestors, Mr T. R. Robinson (England) said the subject was a very old one. In his opinion our breeds came irom two sources. There was a difference in the manner of the Asiatic and the Mediterranean brecs. They ate, they walked, and rested differently. Could they possibly be of tho same origin? The Now Spanish Breed, “ Paradis.” —This breed, according to a paper prepared by Don Henry Gastello do Plandolit, assistant professor of the Royal Spanish Poultry Section at Arcnys de Mar, has been bred to produce a national breed of modern type similar to other general purpose breeds already existing in France, England, and many other countries. It was noted that in France and England white-fleshed table birds wero preferred to those haying yellow flesh. Consequently, the origination of the new breed was based on tho crossing of “ Catalannc do Prat” hens with an Orpington cock. Tho resulting female progeny was afterwards mated with Rhode Island Red males having tho standard defects of white shanks and flesh, to produce birds with white flesh and pinkish white shanks. In this way tho breed has been developed since 1918, tho name ‘‘Paradis’’ being given to it because tho district in which the Royal Spanish Poultry School is situated is known in the country as “ The Paradise.” Tho Chautccler.—The Rev. hi. Wilfrid, of tho Order of Trappist Monks, who is tho professor of poultry husbandry at the Oka Agricultural College, La Trappo, Quebec, where tho Chantecler breed was originated under his direction, gave a paper, in which he stated that the Cbantecler was originated to provide the Canadian breeders with a general purpose fowl adapted to the climatic conditions of Canada. In the making of the Chanteclcr the breeds used were the Cornish Game (Indian), White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, and Plymouth Rock. Tho first two crosses, made in 190 U, were Dark Cornish male with ’White Leghorn female, and Rhode Island Red male with White Wyandotte female. White predominated in the progeny, and red only appeared seventeen years later. Tho latter cross gave a Columbine Wyandotte cockerel, which was mated in 1900 with the whitest pullet of the former cross. The best pullets resulting from his mating were mated in 1910 with a White Plymouth Hock male. In 1911 the best of the 1910 pullets were m d with tho 1909 cross, the pullets from this mating being crossed with a cock from the 1910 cross in 1912. Two strains were formed in 1913 by dividing the pullets, inbreeding being practised in one group, and outcrossing with a White Wyandotte' male in the other. These two strains wero crossed in 1914, 1915, and 1916. In 1914 a reserve strain was made by mating a male of the 1912 cross with White Wyandotte pullets. An exceptionally good pullet hatched in 1916 was bred to a White Wyandotte cock in 1917, and the resulting cockerels mated with the best pullets of the two strains in 1918. Blood from the 1914 reserve strain was introduced in 1919. The breed was presented to the public in 1918 as an entirely new fowl. It was warmly received, and finally admitted to the standard of perfection by tho American Poultry Association.

“ Inquirer/’—When diarrhoea is accompanied with the laying of soft eggs it is evident that some irritant in the food is the cause, and the cure consists in finding out and removing same. Perhaps you are overfeeding, with the result that food is eaten after being soiled and trodden upon, or they are getting musty pollard or grain. Reduce the amount of food served, restrict it to grain only, and add Douglas mixture or any iron tonic to the drinking water. “Mosgiel.”—Yes, seeing that you intend putting down large quantities, lime may suit your purpose quite as well as, if not better than, watcrglass; certainly it is less expensive. Large quantities are preserved cvcr.y year in lime. The following is a reliable recipe:—Take four quarts of slaked lime, two and a-half quarts of common salt, half an ounce of boracic acid. Add five gallons of water. Mix the lime and salt with the water, stirring it well every hour for 10 to 12 hours. Allow it to stand a couple of days, and after it has settled properly strain off the clear liquid and add the boracic acid. An earthenware jar is the most suitable for placing the eggs in. Pour the liquid into the jar until it is half full, then place the eggs gently in the jar. Bo careful not to crack any of the shells, and put nothing down but perfectly fresh eggs. Allow from 2in to 3in of the liquid to cover the eggs. Place in a cellar or other cool place, and take caro that the evaporation does not allow the eggs to be exposed over the liquid. Mill Offal.—Mr Laurie, Government poultry expert, South Australia, speaking before the Secondary Industries Commission recently, declared that a common complaint among breeders was tbe bad quality of bran and pollard bought as mill offal, much of which was in many cases mouse dung and dead weevil. Mr Joseph S. Buchan (president of the_ Infertile Egg Association) said the evil of bad mill olfal was certainly a difficulty that had to bo overcome, and he suggested that legislation should bo brought forward demanding that all offal should be branded showing the quality of it. Dairy Farmers and Poultry.—The Victorian Government’s poultry expert, Mr W. Rugg, tendered evidence at the State Dairying Industry Committee’s sitting last month on the value of poultry on the dairy farm, and what he said should bo of equal interest to New Zealand dairymen as to those of Victoria. He stated that poultry-keeping could be made a most profitable adjunct on a dairy farm. A flock of 200 or more birds could be easily looked after without seriously interfering with other operations on the farm. In most cases wnero farmers complained that poultrykeeping was unprofitable the trouble was due to the birds not being up to standard for egg production. Dairy, farmers were in a better position to feed fowls more economically than most straight-out poultry-keepers, as they had the advantage of being able to supply the fowls with plenty of milk, which was a good aid to egg production, either on its own or mixed with the mash. The dairy farmer also had the advantage of having a regular supply of green food for the birds Suitable. but not costly, housing was required. Tho policy of the Department of Agriculture was not altogether favorable to keeping poultry as a distinct industry, but as au adjunct to other agricultural operations, of which dairy faming was most favored. With the special advantages possessed by the dairy farmer largo numbers of eggs could bo produced in April, May, and June, when prices were high. To keep 200 birds should not entail more than an hour’s work every day, and from this number of birds many farmers wero making from £9O to £l2O a year. Tho World’s Poultry Congress: An International Standard.--Mr T. F. Rigg, president of tho American Foultry Association, read a short paper on tho need of an international standard, but (according to report) it was evident from what he said that he did not consider an international standard possible. It was pointed out, in discussing the argument that the standard of tho originating country of any breed should be universally adopted, that other countries who adopted tho breed often improved it. Mr Van Gink (Holland) favored a universal standard; ho did not agree that feeding and environment changed tho characteristics of a breed. He dared to state that a universal standard was possible, but he duobted if it was practicable. Mr Edward Brown, L.D., F.L.S. (president), raised his voice against the idea of an international standard. Many standards, ho pointed out, wero the result of evolution. Original stanaards changed as breeds wero perfected. Environment changed breed characteristics. England was breeding to a standard America originated, and America had departed from her own standard. Were people and nations, ho asked, not to bo allowed to please themselves? Take the Leghorn'. When the Leghorn first went to America there was no standard. Tho people of Italy bad no ideal. The Leghorn was just the common fowl of the country. America improved it, and in a short time passed it on to England. Evolution still went on. The English breeders perfected it

The Future of Poultry Shows.—Mr J. H. Robinson, of the ‘ Reliable Poultry Journal,’ gave a paper, ‘The Future of Poultry Shows in the Development of the Poultry Breeding Industry of America.’ He said that the first show was held in 1826, and in the early days tho prizes wero awarded on outward signs of usefulness—size especially. Boston was one of the best of tho early shows, and was a definite success numerically, but not otherwise. Later the judging for utility points led up to the formation and adoption of the American standards in 1890, ami from then on tho breeders of standardbred birds prevailed. Later the advent of incubators, brooders, and special feeds all helped in the progress of tho industry. Educational and extension work pushed things along, and all helped to the financial success of tho shows, and for years the fancier had his own way unchallenged. Then came the production boom, the introduction of high laying strains from Australia and the development of two standards for judging. R.O.P. had caused a revolution in the methods of poultry breeding, and given great impetus, hut all this had made for confusion so far as the shows and judging were concerned. The history of the past afforded opportunities for comparison and exchange of views. It was essential that standard-bred poultry should have all properties. There was need for breeders of all classes to get together to framo one common standard. It would ho of the greatest benefit to all, and result in the success and progress of the whole industry. The tendency of the ago was towards the production bird, and in that direction development of the future would come. There was no discussion on this paper, but it shows, ns the editor of the ‘Poultry World’ explains, how the leading breeders of what is known in America and Canada as the standardbred bird nro turning their attention to tho production bird and from the exhibition bird. Tho idea in the mind of some is that the exhibition bird, judged for beauty alone, will soon disappear. but tho writer doubts this, for there are still birds in high favor, notwithstanding that they are things of beauty rather than usefulness. There is something in the art of feeding. A good feeder watches the condition of the manure ns seen on the dropping boards, and also sees to it that the hens have plenty to eat, but have no feed lying about. The appetites

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of the -birds arc keen, and, moreover, ‘the birds get to like the attention ami regular feeder. Know your birds and have them know you. Bo on friendly terms with one another.

TWENTY-THIRD PAPANUT EGGLAYING COMPETITION. —Loading Peris, Thirtieth Week, Ended October 29 (210 days).— FLOCK TEAMS CONTEST (Six birds). Light and Heavy Breeds. —White Leghorns.—

Week’s Weight, J. G. Vorrall ... 'If' oz. dr. 60 11 Tl. 939 J. Liggins ... ... 35 71 1 930 A. Woolley 34 73 (i 905 Green Bros. ...■ 34 76 13 89S H. C. West 31 71 4 898 T. H. Wilcc ... 30 61 3 890 SINGLE HEN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Light ami Heavy Breeds. —Black Orpingtons.— Week’s Weight, Eggs. H. W. Beck ... 5 o z. dr. II 10 Tl, 174 Mw Hellahy ... 7 14 r> 105 A. M. Espio ... 7 14 8 160 —While Leghorns.— F. Hawes 5 11 0 172 H. C. West ... 0 14 1 164 S. E. Davey ... 7 15 0 163 W. E. Ward ... 5 II 8 161 A. 0. Goodlet ... 5 10 13 156 J. M'Intosh ... 4 9 2 153 SINGLE DUCK CONTEST. Owner Enters Tin eo Birds. —Indian Runners.— Week’s Eggs. Tl. F. R. Cotton, No. I 207 A. G. F. Ross, No. 2 “ 6 203 Mrs Gee, No. 3 .. 7 200 G. Voice, No. 3 .. 7 193 A. Adsett, No. 1 .. 7 197 Mrs Geo, No; 1 .. 7 195 SINGLE TIEN CONTEST. Owner Enters Three Birds. --A.O.V. Heavy Breeds.— Week’s Eggs. Tl. P. Bailoy, R.I.R., No. 1 .. 0 ,179 P. A. Cornish, L.S., No. 1 6 163 P; Bailey, R.I.R., No. 2 .. 2 157 —Black Orpingtons.— T. D. Ualzicl, No 2 ... .. 5 177 G. A. Grainger, No. 1 .. 6 177 G. A. Grainger, No. 2 172 R. M. Cookson, No, 3 !! 5 172 T. D. Dalziol, No. 1 ... .. 4 167 Miss Mcyrick, No. 1 o 157 WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN CONTEST Owner Enters 3 Birds. Eggs. Tl. W. H. West, No. 1 ... .. 5 183 A. R. Browne, No. 1 .. 6 179 A. R. Browne, No. 2 .. 7 177 H. Williams, No. 3 ... .. 6 177 A. C. Goodlet, No. 3 .. 7 175 H. Harris, No. 2 .. 7 175 W. H. West, No. 2 ... .. 7 174