POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 21

POULTRY INDUSTRY

BY UTILITY

IMPORTANCE OF STRAIN MANY USEFUL BREEDS

The various egg-laying competitions which concluded -last month again demonstrated the wide variation in productiveness between tho different birds of tho same breed, thus providing another interesting puzzle for those who have not yet decided what breed to keep, Or are already dissatisfied with the breed they have tried, in the latter case it does not necessarily follow that the breed itself is at fault, for half-a-dozen different breeds have won competitions at one time or another, including Buff Orpingtons and Barred Reeks, which are hardly ever seen in New Zealand competitions. Under such circumstances it will probably be found that the best course for those now making a choice is to select the breed they like best out of the utility breeds, provided it is sufficiently popular in their Own district to facilitate getting fresh stock at regular intervals. Many farmers have abandoned their former heavy breed in order to keep Leghorns, but the policy has not como up to expectations, as they miss tho table birds that used to come in so handy for occasional meals, and they are going back to the general-purpose breed. Preference for Purebreds Even after all tho evidence in favour of purebred poultry there must still be a large proportion of' mongrels throughout the country, judging by the mixtures sent to the sales from distant parts, or seen running about in various yards. It would be well to think that culls are being sold in order to leave the remaining stock pure, for any farmer would be disposed to give more attention to a flock of uniform type, encouraged by the prospect of a better return from purebreds. In actual laying it has not been proved that purebreds lay any better than first crosses, but it is hard to discover the advantage in caring for two breeds in order to obtain first crosses, when one breed will give just as good a return in eggs, if not better. Then there is always tho possibility of selling a few purebreds, thereby compensating f6r the occasional cost of giving a little more than killing-price for a change of strain, whereas no crosses can ever be sold for breeding, however good they may be. A New Season These points are of particular interest and importance at the present time, just when farmers are looking forward to the new season. The old season is not quite over, a small proportion not yet having gone into the moult, but culling has already been done, Or ought to have been, leaving the opportunity to develop more fully the breed in hand or else to try a new breed. Tho winter shows commence in May, and will be continued during June and July, and any decision for a change must be made not later than June in •the North Island, Or July in the South. In the meantime, the whole position can be carefully studied, with a view to profiting by a visit to the nearest "show during the winter, and it will be surprising: if it is not possible to make a good choice there and then. The actual choice of a breed is only the first part, and usually the least important, for strain is what counts, and no time should be lost in ascertaining how to secure a good strain when tho breed is selected. Fortunately-, the facilities for getting this information have never been better than they are now, largely as a result of all the competitions, so nobody should i be'at a loss as to how to secure a strain that will givo good results. If it is decided to begin by purchasing adult birds, the choice would be better left to the seller, for not one buyer in a thousand would be a good enough judge to know bettor than the brooder what will suit him in individual birds. Making a Fresh Start Opinions will probably always differ as to the best way to make a start in a new breed or a new strain. If immediate results aro of primary importance, the surest way is to got a breeding pen, a yearling cockerel and at least six two-year hens, or ten if a light breed is choson. These will probably provide as many chicks as can be conveniently handled during the first season, and the experience will be a guide for tho subsequent seasons. On the other hand a great many people prefer to take eggs for sotting, or else day-old chicks. The latter are growing in popularity, owing to the avoidance of the risk in hatching, but against this must be set the difficulty in raising brooder chicks successfully until after having had the experience of hatching and rearing on a small scale. Eggs for hatching, whether with hens or an incubator, do not present quite such a difficulty in procedure, for one can gradually pick up tho knowledge during the operations. For those who have had little or 110 experience, there is nothing like a few broody henß for hatching the eggs, for the hens know the process perfectly, and observation will enable the beginner to utilise the suggestions made in journals or books.