THE POULTRY WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 14

THE POULTRY WORLD

SMALL EGG MENACE

A CHANGED RULE

PROLIFIC LAYING

By “Tight Feather.”

Recently in this column the writer referred to the small egg menace and its effect on the industry. From a reliable source 1 gather that the 193132 schedule of the Taranaki Egg-Lay-ing Competition Society—for which there has already been an unprecedented early inquiry—is now in the printer’s hands. That the society has altered rule 9 to read, “All eggs must average 2oz in weight after three months from the commencement of the i,competition,” will ho good news to housewives and those who like an egg for breakfast, otherwise the eggs will not be counted in the prize list. The majority of hens competing in the past have maintained the 2oz standard for eggs, so that the new rule will entail no loss to competitors, while at the same time it will discourage the breeding of the small egg bird in the chase for numbers.

From Melbourne conies the news of another wonderful duck, which class of waterfowl is without a. doubt the queen of layers. Although the black orpington liens are generally credited with breaking records in the past two years, the two actual best layers have been pvaterfowl of the duck breed. Willoughby Knight’s fawn runner duck, competing some years ago at the New Zealand laying competition in Christchurch, laid 303 eggs in 305 days. While all the poultry world were still marvelling at this wonderful score, yet another duck, this time a white runner, at an Australian competition laid 365 eggs in 305 days—and now. according to the latest advice from the Australian and New Zealand egg laying competition, at Woodside Croydon, a Khaki Campbell duck only a year old lias laid 225 perfect eggs in 220 days, which is claimed as a world’s record for the number of days. A great future is predicted for this duck, which belongs to Mr. E. Clark, of Moruington, Victoria, and is still going strong. This particular duck has never faltered since the test began. Some days she takes a holiday to recuperate from her efforts, but she always makes up for it by laying two eggs or perhaps three the following day, Surely this kind of tiling is prejudicial to the lives of other ducks who do not work with such regularity, no union could stand for this sort of thing! Indeed, in order to prevent any attempt to nobble tills Pliar Lap of the poultry run, a husky Airedale is always on guard. He is stationed outside the pen day and night. This does not interfere with the duck, which is such a contented young tiling that nothing upsets it. It eats well, sleeps well and seems to realise tliat'it has a job to do and does it. Of course, there are other birds that have done well, but none so well. Some have died at their post. The test, however, is carried out under very strict terms and some of the fowls have done extremely well. New Zealand is represented by several pens. An Ancona entered by Air. J. W. Matheson, of New Zealand, laid 181 eggs ni 220 days and headed the list for the breed. Another New Zealand bird, entered by Air. J. R. Griffin, is also at the top of the light Sussexes with 186 eggs. The competition has 145 da vs to rim.

The third Taranaki egg-laying competition at the conculsion of the 39th weeks’ test had kept its numbers woil up to what is required of modern layers, while not quite equal to last years exceptional record. Several of the birds give every promise of getting near the 399-egg mark. The leading bird, a White Leghorn, having 244 eggs to its credit, has a great sporting chance of surpassing 309 eggs. Five white Leghorns have already topped tlie 299-egg mark. A light Sussex hen leads the heavy breeds with 219. A fawn runner duck so far leads the duck section with 221 eggs; a Khaki Campbell is a close second with 219 and a fawn runner is a good third with 214. As the whole of the birds are in excellent condition, reflecting credit on the caretaker, some goon totals may be looked for before the close.

Tiie one convincing lesson proved at Normanby is one often featured in this column, viz., it is strain not breed which provides the layer. It matters not whether it he White Leghorn, queen layer of the light breeds, (Hack Orpington, Wyandotte. Rhode Island Red, light Sussex or several other breeds; provided the same breeding skill is used the hen will produce the