SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 31

SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

BALCLUTHA.—(Continued.)

Bt Teerob.

Mr J. Crawford, to whom I am indebted for introductions to many of the fanciers I met in this district, has half a dozen roseoombed brown Leghorn chickens, hatched from 15 eggs imported from Australia. Both cockerels and pullets of this clutch are sufficiently forward for me to prognosticate that the quality will be good — shape, colour, markings, and head points being correct and pretty. Having now two different strains of rcs>e-coinbed Leghorns, Mr Crawford hopes to make up good pens from which ho can breed with safety. This fancier was also able to show me" a strain of black Orpingtons imported from the yards of Mr N. B. Bull, of Sydney. A cockerel in this lot is a really handsome bird. It is only five months old, and has, of course, still to make size, but eyes, shape, and colour are good. Amongst the pullets are several very promising birds. Specimens of this breed bred from a cock from Wilde, of Waitahuna, arc above the average. A pen of black Minorcas, bred from Mr M' Clone's (Dunedin) strain, mako a good show. Mr Crawford has splendid shelter for his birds. They arc well housed, and, judging by their condition, there is every evidence that they want for nothing in the matters of feed and cleanliness, Mr W. Guest, grocer and draper, of Balclutha, has launched out in somewhat ambitious linos as a poultry breeder, having taken up 126 acres for flic purpose. The first object to attraol. my attention upon reaching the farm wn« n HuliHtantially-builfc 5700 gal brick arid cement U\nk — an indication, to start with, tbsit (».}><uif>e of plant was to bo no obstacle tf> < /ficif-ut working, while a broorlpr (torn" n<-n! by, which is 100 ft long arid divirl' d iiilm V,l compartments (oonwji.H'MtJy inpnMn 'if accommodating over 1000 bird" at n limi>), gives the visitors early ericlcncr. that, it is intended

each Hatching season to handle an enormous number of birds. This brooder house is substantially built, and the walls and roof well packed. The system of heating is by the usual pipes running to and fro through the hovers, and these are heated from a furnace, built a safe distance away from the house. It struck me that accidental chilliug of the chicks some cold night might be prevented by the construction of an intermediary tank, to hold a considerable body of the heated water on its way to the brooder. As at the Government farms, there are inner and outer runs to each compartment, and the last mentioned are the very nice length of 40ft, so constructed that as they branch off from the. building they widen out from 4-ft to lOit wide. Two large copper boilers are built in for the purpose of cooking the food for the morning mashes, and I noticed that each of these held al the time of my visit a considerable quantity of sorrel. In tho neighbourhood of a large cold brooder house, constructed to hold about 400 birqls, I saw a fair sample of the- style of birds run on the farm — i.e., white, silver, and partridge Wyandottes; black, buff, and Jubilee Orpingtons; white Leghorns ; and crosses between the- Leghorn and buff Orpington. This cold brooder house is like every other house on the farm — substantially built,— ancl in the construction ample provision is made for lighting and ventilation. In a dug-out incubator house (sod ends) are five "Pineland" machines, three of 108-egg capacity and two of 200; also, three "Prairie States," each to hold 350 eggs. This chamber is 25ft x 20ft inside measurement, tho roof being- packed with sawdust. I understand that hatching results were poor afc the farm last season, ancl should attribute the cause to excessive dampness, for I noticed that the sod walls and clay back were as moist as they weU could be. Mr Guest intends to remedy this evil against next season by excavating behind the back wall, and I think this action will prove effective, as not only will drainage from the back clay be stopped, but the current of air which Will then get all round the building will have- a drying effect. Seven breeding pen?, each occupying about an eighth of an acre, are ranged upon a piece of high and somewhat exposed ground, and in each pen is a 10ft x Bft roosting house. Shelter for the birds other than that provided by these house* does not at present exist, but I understand this will be provided against the approaching winter. Lacking outside shelter from wind ancl rain, the birds, no doubt, may prove hardy and healthy, but layinsr would be quite out of the question. The stock of poultry on the- farm when I was there comprised about 125 adult hens and 1000 chickens; and in two large ponds, formed by damming up creek water, were a number of P-ekin and runner ducks of firstclass strains, the first-mentioned beina: from Mr E. Reillv's imported pen. The sleeping accommodation for these birds is suitable, and conveniently situated near the water. Mr Guest is determined to give poultrybreeding for profit a fair trial, and, notwithstanding some ill-luck last season, will xindertake all improvements that the experience of the year shows to be necessary, and it is sincerely to bo hoped, for the good of th<! industry generally, as well as to reward his plucky venture, that this speculation will be successful in every way. Mr Guest's present manag&r of the farm, Mr Ingram, appears to share his employer's confidence, and has no doubt but that he can work the plant at his command ,successfully, and having now got through with the bulk of building and organising work, reckons that he will be able to concentrate his attention more thoroughly upon the various deuart.nwnis — feeding, incubating, brooding, and sanitary — next season.

As can be imagined, thero is accommodation upon a farm of 126 acres for a vp-ry larpe poultry business, and I may say that it is Mr Guest's intention to make the most of the- ground at his disposal. Op a grassy flat of low-lying ground it is his ambition to run a large number of geese, and I have not the slightest doubt but that birds so placed would prosper and prove remunerative, quite independently of farm attention, for the flat provides any amount of suitable shelter as w-ell as feed.

Speaking of the shelter for geese reminds me that for the poultry there is absolutely nothinsr worth mentioning in the shape of natural protection from the wind, continuour rains, or sun upon the farm, and there can be no question but that th© planting of a large quantity of low-throwing bushes or trees would be conducive to profit.

Having mentioned the fact that I saw two boilers, each containing a quantity of cooked sorrel seed, it may be as well for me to caution readers that sorrel is worthless as an eggmaker. excepting as roughage to open up a mash of other foods richer in nitrogen. Besides a rouerhage, sorrel is, however, good for fattening purposes. It is a good, chean feed to serve as a morning feftd to ducks and cockerels \ihich are beinaf forced for table. In the morning, the birds, being empty and hungry, will eat it ravenously, but the afternoon feed should be a less economical but more appetising ration.

(To be continued.)