EGG-LAYING CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 9

EGG-LAYING CONTEST.

"POSSIBLES" BY TWO DUCKS.

NEW ZEALAND HEN'S SUCCESS.

<[from our own correspondent.] MELBOURNE, June 23.

Now Zealand is well to the fore in the big egg-laying contest that is proceeding in Melbourne. Seventy-eight days have passed since the birds settled down in their comfortable quarters. There are 1197 of them altogether and ; two ducks—a Khaki Campbell from Victoria and an Indian Runner from Now Zealand—distinguished themselves by laying 69 eggs in 69 days. And they must be still going strong,, otherwise the fact that they had missed a day would have been given the prominence which such failure warranted. The success of the ducks has led to some bitterness among the rival camps, but as the ducks, are?; hopelessly outnumbered tho proud' quacking has been drowned by the .clamour of the cackling. A stylish Black Orpington from Victoria is leading, the; hens With 68 eggs in 69 days. The supporters of this hen say they believe that she will havo the best figures when the contest oloses at midnight on March 30 next year. „-A Light Suffolk from New Zealand has laid a steady and sure 60 and it is felt that this bird, which has attracted a great deal of attention, will not be satisfied until she has caught up with the Black Orpington. She probably feels that she holds the honour of her breed in her beak.

Many of the birds have fallen by the wayside and up to a day or so ago had not laid a single egg. They sulk in their .dressing rooms like offended prima donnas. Their fellows think it is decidedly bad taste and they have lost caste. Still, they are not entirely to blame, perhaps. Climatic conditions affected tho moulting season of some of the entrants.

It is said that egg-laying has all tho glorious uncertainties of cricket, so interest in the contest is bound to be maintained, for sooner or later tho leaders will "go off" and the others will "come on." The big prizes that are offered for tho champion duck and tho champion hen may induce somo of the rank outsiders to put in. an extra spurt. There may be other glory for tho winners, too. Breeders in Italy, England and Canada have written to the Australian Poultry Breeders' Association asking it to promote a world championship at Mel bourne next year. The plan has not been adopted yet, but if it is, Australia and New Zealand would have to select a team, and past. performances are bound to play an important part.