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POULTRY NOTES

RHODE ISLAND REDS Patently I have been studying I published records with regard to ! are various breeds represented m .aymg trials with the view oi discovering productivity in relation to size ot eggs, writes Eduaia Riown, F.L.fci. in Feathered World. The result of these observations will be given in due course. One fact which has become strikingly evident is the performance in both directions of Rhode lei and Reds/ but especially in the size of egg. tor example, at the Harper Adams trials of 1918-19 of the four leading breeds Rhode Islands ranked hignest, with an average production of 194.11 eggs, Wyandotte' paving an average of 194.14, Leghorns of 189.8 and Rocks 179 2.). It may be pointed out in U'.isj connection that there were only j lorty-eight Rhode Island lied j pudets, as against 198 Wyandottes! .md 192 Leghorns. Further, ofj the eggs laid during the entire j year 87.57 per cent, from the Rhode Island Reds were of first grade, as against 76.95 per cent, j from Wyandottes, 77.64 per cent, from Leghorns and 75.21 per cent, from Plymouth Rocks. Thus, j from each point of view the Reds came out on top. j With regard to average pro .uc- j tiou the result stated is remarkable, from the fact that the Rhode Island Red is a sittings variety, is larger, medium in weight of body, I and has not been selected over a series of generations for high fe- t cundity as have the • Wyandotte and the Leghorn, If there is any cumulative virtue in selective breeding and there is when pro- j perly applied without excess, the last named breeds, so long subjected to the process, should have exceeded the Reds instead of be- i ing below. This pregnant facfcl would give support to my conten- j tion, namely, that favourable environment is of equal—possibly greatest—importance. On the other hand, the better record in! respect to size of egg may be ex-' plained by the fact that as a breed the Rhode Island Red has ■ not been abused by forcing for early and winter production against natural impulses; therefore, the vitality is higher, and constitutional vigour has not been sapped to the same extent. | An impression ie very general, i for which the evidences are' strong, that both Leghorns and Wyandottes, bred on present-day lines, may have passed their heyday, and that ere long other races, will have to be depended upon o a much greater extent than at present. Whether that is so or npt, it is desirable the range of breeds should be extended considerably. Hence breeders of 1 Rhode Island Reds have ■an exceptional opportunity. It .depends upon their methods whether this | is seized. In that direction there are three points which require emphasis. First, that being a breed of colour there is a temptation to exaggerate the value of plumage in breeding—at any rate; -or exhibition. Probably the chief reason why white Leghorns and white Wyandottes have at-j tained their present popularity is elimination of the, colour factor, j In other breeds this complication l has worked more or less havoc, j The purpose should be that methods of breeding shall avoid exaggeration of any colour point * that would adversely affect pro-j ductivity and vigour of constitution I be maintained to] the fullest extent. All abnormalities should be avoided. Second, that both exhibition and utility breeders must constantly maintain and im J ' prove the size of egg, discarding whatever weakens this quality; in i fact, giving it a leading place. 1 And third, that the craze for ababnormal layers shall be resisted strenuously, as these will do more harm than good to the race/ It would be a fine thing if every egg; over 200 were penalised iff laying, trials; at pnyrate from a breeding point of view. j These, plus the ordinary canons of breeding and' efforts to mam- J taii\ vigour, should secure the, Rhode Island Red a great position in the future, It has the, heritage pf more than fifty years of breeding on sane lines. .We do iiot want to see this sacrificed to the ephemeral and temporary.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19210112.2.76

Bibliographic details

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 12 January 1921, Page 8

Word Count
692

POULTRY NOTES Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 12 January 1921, Page 8

POULTRY NOTES Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 12 January 1921, Page 8