The Feathered World.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 8

The Feathered World.

IP Poultry Notes : - Egg Laying Contest. IP

CHAMPIONSHIP TESTS POE PURE BRED BOWLS.

ELEVENTH WEEK’S REBULTS. Following are chc results of the eleventh week of the egg-laying championship test for pure-bred fowls at ILtpanui, Christchurch:— LIGHT BREED SINGLE: HEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Week. TIL

HEAVY BREED SINGLE HEN

LIGHT BREED SINGLE HEN CONTEST. Competitors to enter Three Pullets. Bird Bird Bird »■ No. No. No. 12 3

LIGHT BREED FLOCK TEAMS CONTEST. For Six Purebred Pullets between the age of 5& and 8 months.

HEAVY BREED SINGLE HEN CONTEST. Competitors to enter Three Pullets. Bird Bird Bird

SINGLE PEN DUCK COMPETITION. Each Competitor to enter Three Ducks.

Totals 273 261 211 SINGLE DUCK CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST.

POULTRY-REMRiG

BY E. T. BROWN. (Author of "Poultry for Profit. 0 ) CHAPTER 11. THE REARING GROUND. There are very few of us who are ahlr* to select an absolutely ideal spot for rearing our chickens. In fact, the number who can do so is so small that they are hardlv worth considering. But it L in our power to attain as near the ideal as is possible. This we should all do with a. view to promoting successful rearing. It will do good, however, if I refer to what constitutes the ideal, so that who'setting about the work of selecting l tin rearing ground the poultry-keeper wiV have a knowledge of what is required It will, at any rate, prevent anyone from f\lline into the mistake of thinkin-* that anv place is good enough for tin youngsters. THE SITE TO LOOK FOR. To enumerate the points possessed by the ideal rearing ground I mention the following:—The selected ground should bo as near the dwelling-house as possible the land should slope to the north or the north-west; it should be well drained, so that surface water docs not collect: the soil should be light to medium: they© should be ample protection on Uncouth and west sides: and the land should carry a number of fruit trees in order to make use of the manure produced by the birds, and also to provide additional phclter. Don’t expect to realise all these conditions. There arc very few places in this country where such a spot could be found. Wliat deficiencies there &re in the natural state of the around must be made good as far as possible. This can generally be accomplished at a low cost. ADJOINING THE HOUSE. The great advantage of selecting a rearing ground which is fairly close to the dwelling-house is that the labour involved in looking after the chickens is considerably lessened. Whether the chickens are reared by the natural or the artificial method they require constant attention from «url> morning until last thing at night, the ground be some distance away it will add greatly to the work of attendants to the needs of the youngsters. It is net always fine during the rearing reason, and although it may appear o small point, it is nevertheless an important one, as the birds must bo looked after properly; it is very much better to have them close at hand. is also advisable to have the incuba tor house or the sitting-hen died near the rearing ground. This will curtail the risk when the chickens are placed out in the open when they are newly hatched. A SLOPE DESIRABLE. Gently sloping land is advantageous. The elope should bo towards the north or north-west so that it will secure as much sunlight as possible during the early part of the year. Sunlight, unles* excessive, as it may he in the summer, is one of the best tonics for all kinds of growing stock. For this reason a northern elope is desirable. Sloping land, moreover, general** naturally drained, and this prewenb water accumulating in puddles on the surface after a shower or even a heavy rain This is the one condition which cannot bo altered. Unless the- land slopes naturally nothing, can be done to alter its level, but bv taking extra care in draining the land much can ho nccomprfshed to prevent water collecting thereon. WELL-DRAINED LAND ESSENTIAL. The surprising thing to me is that so few poultry-keepers realiso the great need there is for having the land properly drained. This is necessary- on all kinds of ground, but especially so when the soil tends to be on. the heavy or clayey side. The upper soil or surface soil may bo light, but it often happens that ‘the underlying layer is impervious. When this is tho caso the water onsses through the top soil, but collects below and, dependent on the amount of rain which falls, tends to make tho ground unsuitable for rearing purposes. If tlio ground, does not slope naturally the land must be drained by means of pipes or open drains. Water-logged soil ,

is useless for chicken rearing, and, therefore, draining iiv one form or another must be carried out. , 1 It is most important Dat well-drained ! land should l>e chosen, since it is an extremely expensive mailer to have to emk jdp*s to carry off tU- excess water. And yet, if it V/a not tone, tho wlmlc work of rearing may he a failure, with consequent Joss of capital outlay. TICE NATURE? OR TIIE ROTE. The best soil for pou. try-keeping is undoubtedly a light to medium loam, but all kinds of land m y be used provided that tho right breeds are selected and a suitable branch cf the industry chosen. I have dealt with this subject elsewhere, but the following summary may prove of use: — On day soil do not attempt to produce table birds, since- these do not thrive under such conditions, but keep yellow-begged breeds, such as tho Leghorn, Ancona, White Wyandotte, Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Rod. On light arc! medium soils all breeds may be kept successfully, but table birthdo best on the iormer. although tlm;. are fairly well suited to the latter. Yel-low-legged birds tend to lose the lep colouration on light soi ] s, especially ii they are of a sandy nature. if there be no alternative but to use heavy land the disadvantages arising from sueli soil can be lessened considerably by seeing that it is thoroughly well drained. This will keep the land drier and, moreover, tend to iuise its tempnture. COLD WIND PEO’iTXTIO'N. It i<s highly desirable that the south and west sides of the selected hold should possess good high hedge or wall. Something is required to break the force of the cold south and west winds which are so prevalent during the spring. If them, be no such protection, then provision must be made for efficient shelter. This can be made by planting hedges or walling the held on the two sides with fi.iko hurdles or straw-covered hurdles. Anything mty be employed which will serve to break the force of the wind. AN ORCHARD .EXCELLENT. If there is an orchard which can be list’d as a rearing ground, and the other conditions are fulfilled, nothing could be better. The fruit trees will help to utilise the manure which is deposited by the chickens; they will provide excellentshelter from ruin, wind, and excessive sunshine; and, moreover, the profit derived from them will bo considerable. It pays to plant tree-' if none be already there. The threefold purpose' which they fulfil is well worth the outlay in the first place. The kind of fruit to be grown will depend, of course, on the nature of tho soil and other local conditions. A SINGLE-PURPOSE SITE. Whatever piece of ground you allocate for rearing purposes you should make a’ point of using it entirely for chicken rearing and lo: nothing else. It is a* very groat, mistake to allow other «tock to have the run over it utter it has been finished with for the coops and brooders. A very large amount of manure isl produced by Hie youngsters and, i ther<v fore, there is a tendency for this to accumulate to a dangerous degree in tin? course of tho season. Even though the 1 ' rearing ground be laid down in grass, 1 as it always should be, and fruit trees fire planted on the hand, time is required to enable tho laud to recover itself. Make a practice, therefore, of using! the selected field for rearing, and rearing alone. No matter how crowded you may be for room it is a very grave error to press this area of your land into service for adultt stuck.

AMERICAN CCGS

MINISTER OUTLINES POSITION. Recently Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., wrote l to the Prime Minister, suggesting that the duty on eggs imported into New Zealand from the United States should be charged at the same rate as on eggs imported into that country, from New Zealand. The communication was refcired to the Hon. Downio Stewart, Minister for Customs, who forwarded the following reply to Mr —“A* you are no doubt aware, the duty on eggs in shell, or with shells removed, imported into the Dominion from tho Unite! States is at tho rate of 35 per cent., plus 1 per cent, (primage), equal to 36 i*»r cent. ad valorem From the latest information in my possession, it' appears that eggs in shell or with shells removed are exempt from duty on importation into the United States. “I may add that the importation, ot egg pulp and white or yolk of eggs whether desiccated, liquid, frozen, or other, and of any similar preparation of eggs, is prohibited save with tho consent of the Minister for Customs, and that since the end of 1921, no permits lvavo been, issued for the importation, of any of these preparations. In dealing with future applications for .permits, full consideration will he given to the interests of the egg producers in the Dominion. I enclose herewith for'vour in-i formation copy of an O'rdor-in-Council, gazetted March 2nd, 1916, the effect of which is to prohibit the importation of eggs in shell, unless they are stamped, to indicate the country of origin. As> tho tariff has now passed into law, alterations would not be made therein without the authority of Parliament.*’

Minorcas— Miss A, J. Wins' 0 4.5 White Leghorns— IT. Williams .. 4 45 J. Gunn G 49 J. Liggins 42 II. C. West C. N. Thomson 5T> t'. Colo 0 19 M>9 13. W Jones 52 Mrs J?. UorinskL W. P. Hern 6 CO K. S. 11. Carter 51 1’. W. Shacklock 5 G1 D. McDougall 58 lire W. Hewitt GO Miss A. JiMrly G 53 Kcifon and Christie 0 31 H. W. Beck 45 W. J. Richards 58 W. Soenee 0 39 VV. Spence 37 YVoolston Tanneries U.P.O . G 47 A. H. Adams 48 W. Aldous •■••• 57 Mrs W. Chambers 0 2 1 J. B. Morrett 47 G. H. Bradford 51 W. U Ward .. ' G 58 E. J. Herriman 39 S. L. Beer 6 61 H. Whittle 4 53 S. G. Loader o3 Green Bros 0 35 Green Bros 0 19 John Webb 21 J. C. llnsgrave 49 D. E. B. Smith 16 B. L. FeMwielc 5 41 H. Whittle 5 42 T. J. Richards 5 26 Totals 1804

CHAMPIONSHIP. IjincJc Orpingtons— W. IX. Sprosen . 2 20 J. P. Drewott ••• ( 72 J. P. Drewett 6 42 A. J. Wood 6 49 D. E. B. Smith 5 32 J. Gunn 5 45 Koqcn and Christie 6 56 Itagen and Curistie 1 54 h. A. Wodham 5 6o Croad Langshan — E. V. Arthur 5 40 Rhode Island Reds — C. Bennett 0 6 Totals 48 481

While J>chovns— Menzios and Lepgatt 17 33 28 J. Jenkinson 21 10 1 E. \V. Jones 42 37 17 Fredk. Ellis 0 35 0 Smart Bros 42 44 3 U. W. 1-Iaw bo 56 23 31 P. W. Shacklock ' 60 47 30 Waitoitoi Stud Farm ... 43 43 28 W. I>. Horn ..., 0 53 56 James Eobortson 50 28 38 A. A. Hoaro 36 49 6 J. Taylor 40 26 48 A C. Goodlet 52 39 59 P. B. Whitt ai d S3 32 33 A. Patterson 46 16 55 Ik L. Fekhvick 2D V 39 T. S. Hove ... 37 45 41 J. B. Merrett .... 26 31 29 Todd Bros 0 2 17 R. A. Iiollis 10 30 3 U. W. Combes 51 26 49 Cal dor Bros. 27 53 34 J. Firth 16 42 53 T. Bond 24 45 22 S. X,. Beer ... 34 8 51 C. Bennett 6 21 37 G. W. Blade 43 42 0 iW. J. Chambers 24 55 2 'Mrs \V r . Hewitt 17 57 u G. H. Mitchell Oil 47 23 II. William* i7 8 53 H. Williams 35 42 46 C. P. Bradford 36 27 47 Mrs 27 9 25 J. Biggins 40 49 55 H. E. Martin 37 56 31 Wel.'b Bros. 30 38 48 T. II. Gardiner 27 39 46 C. A. Indor 22 so 59 El Fuchs 43 55 55 Green Bros 41 38 37 Green Bros 52 50 43 S. G. Loader 46 53 19 J. Gunn 27 26 31 J. Cairns 23 24 35 W. H. Skidmore 46 26 51 D. F. Coulter 47 55 51 Mrs F. Gorinski 35 19 31 ,Mrs F. Gorinski 15 46 53 H. L. Downey 23 0 30 Hon. C. H. Izard 51 58 21 Hon. C. H. Izard 34 55 53 Hon. C. H. Izard 32 48 19 Hon. C. II. Izard 38 57 23 T. IV. Eetteridge 5 56 59 Woolson Tanner i e s’ U.P.C 33 55 40. W. H. West 62 57 61 Totals 1870 2105 1997

Week. Tl. White Leghorns — G. H. Bradford 30 180 E. Orchard 31 319 H. Whit© 20 281 T. IX. Gardiner 26 293 Barons and Stringer 17 175 Barons and Stringer 10 213 B. L. Ieldivick 26 170 J. H. Hannah 12 135 P. J{. Wliitford 15 102 A. 1C. Adams 25 239 T. B. Hudson 6 158 J. C. Musgrav© 19 235 J. Biggins 6 207 Green. Bros 142 L. V. Couch 3J 212 II. Harris 27 241 M. C. Craig 28 277 R. Wilson 0 ui Verrall Bros 19 171 W. E. Ward .. 21 256 Brown Leghorns— Verrall Bro3 241 Totals 4359

i. 2. 3. Black Orpingtons— 1 J. P. Drewett .. 51 49 0 Chas. Thomas 26 24 14 W. R. Sprosen 40 56 45 Mrs A. M. Stewart 1 17 59 P. Olorcnshaw 67 44 36 .1. E. ' Marriott 28 14 16 G. H. Shaw . 2a 33 35 A. B. Wheeler 55 55 24 K. M. Cookson 49 15 47 A. G. F. Boss .62 30 45 J. Gunn 55 18 29 Rhode Island Beds— •T. W. Mathieson 33 41 18 H. L. Downey 0 0 19 It. .Hunter 40 41 26 T. Kennedy 10 0 0 Silver Wvandottes— T. Dowthwaite 36 0 IS F. II. Lovell 4 25 43 "White Plymouth Rocks— Mrs A. M. Stewart 36 48 0 Totals 620 518 474

Indian Runners— T. B-ond 11 cr> 4 H. Hannah 58 4J A. C. Clements 6-fc 66 6<> 71. W. Hmvkee 7o 46 55 R. A. I-ToIHr ... 65 48 51 H. W. Beck 0 0 c

Week. Tl. Ffnvn Tndinn Eunner — 7 34 7 White Indian Kunner— T. Dowthwaito 7 G1 Totals 21 120