POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 199, 24 July 1931, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”)

'Another record is now held by the Taranaki Egg Laying Competition Society. Mr A. J. Davey’s Light Sussex pullet, Te Kawau Princess, is credited with 264 eggs in 52 weeks, thus 'breaking the previous record by one egg. Slowly but surely' this breed is gaining popularity. Being a dual purpose bird, in that it can supply eggs as well as provide meat for the table, there is no reason why it should not one day seriously rival the favour bestowed upon the useful and very popular Black Orpington breed. The New Zealand Poultry Bulletin, now incorporated in the Smallholder, in advocating the forming of a New Zealand Breeders’ Association, says: “The fancier to-day, in his endeavour to win more ’prizes and increase his sales, invades the utility classes, usually with a large measure of success, but he does so at the expense of the stud breeder. The fancier is an artist and knows how to capture the judge’s eye. The utilitarian or stud breeder, realising he must compete with fancy blood, gives up exhibiting or' else buys some fancy blood, from which he breeds his show birds, but, if he has any experience, lie will not try to ■ breed a championship winner and an egg contest winner from the same mating, for it cannot be done.’’ Is this the case? it may be asked. It is pleasing to note the writer, in a later passage, admits at least one instance. where White Indian Runners not only won in competitions but also carried off awards , in the show pen. True, it may be the. exception, but “Brooder” Has no desire to be drawn into any controversy regarding this topic, excepting to say that it is indeed strange that not more really commercial poultrymen. do not support the various exhibitions held from time to time. Is it because these men have no faith in such show's, or are too busy to bother about the benefits to be derived from exhibiting and securing awards? There certainly is a feeling that many possible-exhibitors are deterred from so doing because of their lack of faith in the decisions of judges. If is therefore the duty of show promoters to remove this cause for complaint and if the formation of a breeders’ association w'ill assist in this, as well as the other reasons for hav-

ing such a body, many will say let us have it. Meantime, show promoters will continue to do their level best to cater for both fancier and utilitarian, as, in the past, very largely supported by the existing breeders’ clubs. A Khaki Campbell duck participating in the Australian Stud Poultry Breeders’ Society’s egg laying competition at Woodside, Victoria, is now world famous. This 18-month-old member of the bird w'orld, it is stated, actually laid 369 2oz. eggs in 365 days, beating the previous individual output for a year by four eggs. The duck, it is said, laid three eggs one day, and to show it was no fluke, laid two on the last day of the contest. Birds from England, South America, Now' Zealand, Canada, and all the Australian States are now participating in the big world championship now being held in Australia. The new secretary of the New Zealand Poultry Association is Mr J. N. McLean, of Rotorua. Great things are expected from Mr McLean whose fame as a poultry breeder is wellknown. We have had some very trying weather for birds lately. The cold piercing winds have been much against birds, living in exposed positions, and especially those w’hich have, more or' less, much liberty or free range. It is much better to keep producers inside all day, even for days on end, rather than expose them to such trying climatic conditions. Of course, where there is plenty of shelter such precautions are not so important, but, if not, to allow' them outside continually will militate against good egg production, unless the birds are particularly hardy.

Seventy-five per cent. of deaths amongst chickens, we are told, are caused by sudden . chill, and the trouble is most in evidence wdiere overheating is made possible. This seldom happens in brooders of the modern tvpe, but unfortunately these are not always used. Home-made brooders are still to be seen and it is in these that the trouble is most apparent. It is only common sense to say that if a large number of chicks are packed together in a small space for hours overnight, there will be sweating. Thev come out the next morning; overheated and easy prev for the chilly fresh air. Those who have had experience of these rough and readv makeshifts know the danger and the looses they have had through them. Beginners are asked to profit bv their experience and asked to leave these old fashioned boxes severely alone. MASSEY COLLEGE EGG LAYING CONTEST. 16TH WEEKS’ RESULTS. Light Breeds.—F. Ecob, 72 64 73 71 85 85 (27) 450: S. G. Batten, 42 45 37 27 45 86 (27) 282: M. L. Boyce, 36 51 35 X 42 69 (23) 277; L. B. Maunsell, 60 43 32 X 36 32 (22) 254; K. Brazendale, 84 22 23 39 X 29 (28) 254; A. Norman, 54 43 X 30 X 52 (23) 245; J. N. McLean, 26 14 26 31 11 34 (29) 142. Heavy Breeds. —Mrs J. A. B. Hellahv. 59 67 13 80 63 33 (17) 315: J. N. McLean, 46 48 24 18 23 31 (25) 190; H. Rushton, 39 11 29 41 32 25 (32) 177; K. Mouldey. 30 35 0 39 25 2 (15) 131. “X” signifies bird laying undersized eggs and score struck out.