POULTRY LORE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 897, 10 May 1889, Page 19

POULTRY LORE.

BLACK MINORCA FOWLS.

The Island of Minorca, the easternmost of the Balearic Isles, lying off the southeast ooast of Spain, has given the name to a breed of fowls which has recentlv attracted much attention in this country. The Minorcas have points of resemblance to the Spanish and Leghorn fowls, but are larger than either. It i 3 the opinion of many skilful breeders that the black Spanish and black Minorcas were originally identical, but the former has been bred for the white face and other fancy points, while the latter retains the original red face, larger size and greater hardiness of the original. The combs are larger than those of the Leghorns. There are both black and white Minorcas, but the former are principally bred in this country. They are fine stately fowls, with large single combs and long wattles. The face is red, the plumage a glossy black, with metallic green reflections, the legs clean of feathers, and of a bluish willow colour. The cockerels weigh about 6-|lb and the pullets from slb to 61b. The hens are very prolific layers, producing 200 large white eggs a year, and even mom. The Minorcas will flourish in almost any situation, will bear confinement well and when at liberty are good foragers. They will keep in good condition on a comparatively small amount of food. They mast have warm quarters in extremely cold weather, or their combs aud wattles freeze. The hens are nonsitters. Black Minorcas have been bred and raised for centuries on the island from which they derive their name, and for a long time in the south-western districts of England, but they were only recently introduced to this country. They have advanced rapidly in popularity, and have been admitted to the Standard. They have won many prizes at various poultry shows during the past two years, an 4 the

breed may be considered as a permanent addition to the choice poultry stock of the country. The Peking duck is the favourite, making the greatest gain in flesh in the shortest time on the young duckling, and giving the earliest eggs in the season as well as the greatest number per year. Oil Maple farm the breed has been growing fur generations in dry yards, with no water to exercise in, and they seem to have lost all desire for swimming. The only water they see is what they drink. When confined in yards and well fed they do quite as well, if not better, than when they have the liberty of the farm. In winter as well as in summer the duck stands confinement.better than tho chick, as the former is constantly exercising. The feeding-boxes for the laying stock are long and roomy, Sin wide and 3tn high. The birds are rapid eaters, aud it there is not room at the trough some will gorge themselves, while others will get but little. Both old and young ducks are given only what they will eat up clean as a meal. Great importance is laid upon this principle of clean feeding, as nei. her old nor young birds will thrive from over-feeding. The duck has no crop (like the hen, the food going fr®m the throat direct to the gizzard ; therefore the duck cannot take as much hard grain a 3 tho hen. Hence soft food is very largely used. Incubators are kept in houses made partly underground to preserve an even temperature. —American Agriculturist.