POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 31

POULTRY NOTES.

Bt Terhok.

— The Dunedin grader's completed returns for the year ended March 31, 1905, show that the total quantity of poultry put through for export was 17,708 — an increase of 8159 over the output for the preceding year; .and with regard to eggs, 15,210 dozen were placed in cool stores, as against 4321 dozen in 1904— being an increase of 10,889 dozen.

— Breeders of the> heavy varieties are all ready arranging for the accommodation of picspective early clutches of chickens, and by way of seasonable hint it may be well for some if I remind them that to get strong chicks the present condition of the parent birds is an all-important consideration. Nofc less important is the care of the eggs intended for settings from the mom.ent of laying ivp to the incubation period ; and — 'but this is so well recognised as to be scarcely worth mentioning — extreme watchfulness is necessary during the time of hatching, whether by natural or artificial method.

— With regard to the condition oP the parent bird*?, they should, of course, be the pick of the matured stock, healthy and handiSome — handsome either as layers or as fancy birds. In the matter of health the breeder should not be satisfied with seeming or apparent health, but should be careful also that the conditions of their existence

as regards accommodation and iooit are o. vie ije&t Known, to assure strong, nealthj geims. To show that chis ia&t-iiientionec ue^iueratum is e&sential to success, 1 may explain tnat last season 1 tried setting eggc ir<->m birds cc-nnaecl throcgnout the winter in a sbabae ountliug. 'l'nat the wrds were nealthy, comiortabie, and weil-ieu was evidenced by an excellent return in egga 1 , but that such conditions were not favourable to i-no production of strong, nealtiiy chickens was proved by tne extremely small percentage natoneci — only oiie or "two in every 13 eggs hatcning out, the baiance, tnough fertile, turning rotten, or the o.iicks lacking strength to free therasenes from tne shells. The breeding pen requires range lor fecunditj and for strong lertility ; and for best results the females should be matured, second or third year nens selected from the best laying pullets in their season, or if the object is fancy points, hens shotidd be selected which meet retain fche-ir pullet beauty.

—As to the care of the eggs to be eefc until placed in the nest or incubator, th© fiist essential is to regard them, and consequently to care for them, as already living objects — living, but extremely frail within as we'll as fragile in shell. Everyone knows that the shell is easily injured, but few realise that th© germ within is a matter for care; yet experience h^s proved that subjection to extreme cold kills life just as surely as undue or untimely warmth starts its growth. Eggs kept in a china or tin basin or otherwise on a scullery shelf or in an outhouse in frosty weather, run a very great risk of being rendered useless for hatching purposes. They should be kept in a, living room, where the terrperature it more favourable. . Eggs intended for hatching should not be shaken, and when dispatched through the post should be well packed, not merely to prevent breakages, but — in cold weather — to withstand the outside temperature as much as possible, and to prevent undue evaporation. Before being set after a long journey they should be rested, because they are delicate living organisms requiring rest before starting upon a course of wonderful and rapid changes and transformations. The fact that breeders have got successful hatches without taking precautions such as are suggested in the foregoing is insufficient reason for their nonobservance, for what theory and practice have prayed right are right in tho main. Eggs for hatching s-hould be as fresh, as possible, and not exceed a month old, though they may hatch even older than that.

— The care Of eggs in the nest or incubator does not begin and end with temperature. The nest, just as the machine, should be well made and well placed, and in either case it is better out in the open than in such a position that when the eggs uncovered they are submitted to a strong dra-ug-ht. The nest should be large — commodious enough to allow of a few steps being taken before the eggs are reached, 6O that there is no jumping down on to the eggs and consequent risk of breakage. Ifc . should be so placed that the hen can leave it for water, food, and dusting, etc., without interference from other fowls, and without risk of the- nest being usurped ; andi during the hatching out precautions should! be taken to prevent the first chicks hatched from propping out of the nest. A large nest iaa safeguard in this respect, but in any case a board in front of the nest may prevent the loss of the best chicks. —As a- finaJ caution in respect to thi* matter I would warn th© novice against giving stimulants to the birds composing th« breeding pen, for the stimulation of the female ovaries for increased egg-production is detrimental to fertility, and no useful re« suit is accomplished in the case of the male' bird either.

— The illustration shows an excellent tna< thod of providing water for young chickens. It consists merely of a. clear glass bottle, a' saucer, two tin bands, and four snuall naile. A bottle filled with clean water and corked 1 with an easy fitting cork is inverted and) dropped down through tihe bands against the side of coop or wall, the lower baxwl preventing the mouth of the bottle fromi falling too' low to allow of the saucer being placed beneath. The saucer being placed! in position and the cork withdrawn, the water flows until the mouth of the bottle- is covered, and then stops, because air cannot get into the bottle to replace the water. As the chickens drink the water, of course, flows again, but always stops at the same level. For simplicity, effeetivenes, cleanliness, and economy, this automatic drinking ■fountain is baa-d to improve upon. I have to acknowledge ''cribbing" the idea from something I saw at Mrs Mills's poultry yards, Woodhaugh Valley, two or three weeks back. — The "Wanganui Poultry, Pigeon, and! Cage Bird, prize list for the show 1 to be held on July 5 and 6 is to hand in pamphlet form. As a schedule it i 9 unusually} full of useful information for exhibitors 1 , shows a most attractive list of special prizes, " and, to ensure numerous entries, caters for nil branches and every class of the fanoy and the fancier. The secretary is Mr Bert Willis, P.O. Box 170, Wanganui,. and the judges, Mr A. S. Palmer for poultry and ducks, and Mr F. Goodacre forpigeons andl canaries. Entries close on. June 26.

— Messrs Pryor and Co. (per Mr E. Reilly) report ; — Poultry in short supply; allcomirLa

forward meet keen demand at satisfactory 1° f £• $it ?i ?rr.--^ to h*»rt : S M, M «' 5s 6d, 10 at *s; 22 Sail E\7 te 6i ( 1( > <* 6»i g» f*"^ to Is 4d, WOdoz- limed «fc Is 2d to Is aa. 1801b' to- 2401b, *t2|cLto 3^d. —The six American bronze-wing*, turkeys Momotoki, ate to to ««* whick m**ns tiie S kno^R? vigour „. nmm '»I» fte i l d **b o i^ about 12 i 1* ipffli§ thifl. ha 9 pen.^at any time, * nd .^ E d ° a es ba^ quently wten. hens are itsed, take a basin SPwJnL water' an<f waA eggs, dry careful and return, to th« nesfc P«P^d straw; an<f no *™»*g£~£ 'done It will do no harm to contmc tne ffto &c i** the first te by * in front of the nes*. a,nd. removing this the second morning-, giving a chance at feed and water; by wladi time, in^ usual cases^, she will- fetrus to- her trusk-Amen-can Poultry; JotiinaL — "I/A.-vacn«ieOT" says that eggs of fowls or egg* of Weds of every variety, wn*n BubmMedl «o- the -influence- o£ radium, have given* prodfgimra. ss well as unexpected result Yoiuift efaicfeens and younc birds* im fe«iking their shells, appea red under- faniasiieai fortm. W© shall, therefore, Portly be able to V*g™*™7 mstonishmg- phenomena in. ike poultry world. Several expetisaetiterß go- bo^&x as to aseerfc the t>o«HDili*r to obt»m some quite mew sped** antf -caTietiw, thranta to several combina<OTn& of the radianx r&ya. ' There are even* orasonff wn& affirn* that the radium ftas orbve* itself to, create; lite w-here the life dMtnofc esiafe It-ia re«Ey a marvellous KssDUHMs'fo* *3re Bad 7 seasoi^, when tee proportMHfc of "npn-natcßing^ eggs predomi-nabta-Z ' \' ,■,,'■, -l —A. tataSi' <*aflpPu*fcet should always be incßadecE in ■ the: -appimncea. of a praoticaj poultry .teener, B & usefuT for choppmg «;.p greeir £00* of all deaoripiaona, lucerne, tir, etc., «nd wilC P«y &»- i*se« where any quantity of fowls- are kept. Green food is one' <jf tfie natural portions of a fowl's daily diet, and a regular supply shouTd be aTwavtf at*ak3fl«.

Jk crowing- racfsbsx is- often a. source. -«£ amwqauic*. A. simple remedy is to place a Sot bojw!d ; ©vet kik Tooufc, not aJlowins ■liim enoogfc room- t& etand ut* propfiuay. IWhenever Tflwr- crowing process is in- progress t&e bfrd' atandte &p- *nd attempt* to «ri*t'eli fii* neefc. M* Iwad, will come in contact -with the- Board, the result beingthat Ire will- enW hat -reey seWoim — Keeping the- laying stock too fat will inffwjne* tfcfr auppljr of eggs- produced. Laying fowl's should bfr kept: in » healthy and. vigorous condition, bufr over-feeditig must he avoided. The exact amount to give. fowls cannot be- sfcriofijr iairf down, as«i*Dnmsfcanees- and situations- under which, *key are Krepfc esr& ffo -veyjr different. The oßservwit poultry man- c»a always form, ft very «?ood. Idea 1 of tii» correcfi amount togiV© his fowls. Enough, and! no more, should' be supplied. — "Girding His Spurs" is tH«- title of a; page cartoon in London Punch, of April 5. The? artist, Mr E. Raven Mil portrays a .treH-made 7 duckwing jrame cc-ek- in the ring, fequapped 1 for battlo, "prid* In- his port, dte>fisiroe ni hia eye." Xt fs, t0 use- a- eoefcer phrase, "'cut ©tuV tiiat is, its sickle- feathers are sfeortetted; leavihgf the tail short an& stajongj th© hackle is trimmed close, the comb- and gilli dubbedi «nd its- legs are with long sharp spurs; The bird is labelled 1 "Japan JT on its wing, and an officer of that nation is insidei tiie cockpit as "handler." Outside the ring are- John SBiiU and Unolet Sam, who have backed jfchis bird heavily, and Beem satisfied with their investments. Sir Raven Hill i» to be complimented on his picture, which is typical of tlie men and the bird xepresented-

CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. The statement for the fourth week of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's eggtaying competition at Lincoln College shows that the total number of eggs laid last week was 339, making a total for the four weeks of 1059. The" average per pen last week was almost 9, as compared with 8' 2-19 the previous week. The following are those highest on the list, the total given being- for the four weeks: — H Hawke (Greytown), silver Wjtandottes, 33 total 115; A. M. Price (Christchurch), buff Orpingtons 29, total 96; John Mann (Teinpleton), white Wyandottes 27, total 82: H. S. Cox (Sockburn), buff Orpingtons 24, total 58; Alfred Tyree (Christchurch), black Orpingtons 22, total 73; R. E. M. Evans (Christchurch), silver Wyandottes 19, total 66-; J. H. Shaw (Riccarton), brown Leghorns 17, total 45; Edmund Wilder (Fernside), buff Orpingtons 17, total 34. * " — "~"~ »

& § 3 'i i i 4 1 3 1 4 0 3 a CO 1 2 0 1 ITot'l EIGHT, Competitor. A. 0 5 0 0 Ib. I oz. & I 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 IS 10 20 21 52 p. Presents (Christchurch). Silver Wyandottes ... |H. S. Cox (Sockburn), Buff Orpingtons .H. P*nnell (Chrlstchurch), Black Orpingtons ... J. J. Royda Buff Leghorns IH. C. Lane (Spreydrn), Silver Wyandottes !R. Willis and Son (New Brighton), B. Orpingtons H. P. Pooock (Alexandra S.), Black Orpingtons... Alexandra Poultry Co. (C. O.). W. Plymouth R'ks John Tinda'l (< Jhristchurch) Silver Wyandottes A H. Brfsti-d (Linwo d), Buff Orpin scions W. B. Cowlishaw (Chch), Black Orpingtons M.tb Mills (Dunedin), White Leghorns A. F. Anderson (Cbristchuich), Brown Leghorns F. C. Hack (Upper Ricarton), S. Wyandottes ... Bisham Poultry Farm (Mukikihi), B. Orpingtons Charles Petersen (Timarn), Black Oipiugtons ... Jt "W. Hawke (P&paD-ui), White l.eehoras J H. Shaw (Rircarron), Brown Leghorns John Jlann (Templeton) White Wyacdottes R B. M. Evans (Christchurch), S. Wy-udottes ... Bdmond Wilaer (Fernsid*-). Buff Orpingtons Alfred Tyree (Cbrisrchnrch). Black < Jrpingtons Mrs Alexandra Studholme (Hinds), Anconas H. Pannell (Christchurch). P. Wyandottes H. Hawke (Gieytown North) S. Wjansottes ... A. iJ. Price (Ohristcnrch), Buff Orpingtons G. Kollineon (K^iapoiX Bh»clc Orpingtons P. A. Solltn-ion (Kaiapoi), American W. Leghorns Erne»t Scott (Dunedin). Brown Leghorns . Arthur i4ap.es COhristchurch); Black Langshans ... G H Blair (TimaruV White Wyand >tt«» GL B. Hntcbinßon (Auckland). S. Wyandottea ... Hx» Symona (ChrifitcKurch), BuflF Orpingtons G R. Hutchinson C Auckland), B. Orpingtons ... Henry Eegar (Levin), White Wyandottes IJ. W. Halliday (Chrirtcburch), Minorca* |H. Waldon (Greytown N.), S. C. Brown Leghorns B. Steer (Greymoutb), White Leghorns 1 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 1 3 (i 2 5 24 1 12 i 2 9i US IS Bfr 1 i " - — — - - - — — " - 1 2 2 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 ,2 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6 10 11 4 6 4 8 6 1 11 os 88 10J . 8* 14| 10* H 2f n 2 121 151 13* 13* 8i 10 4k 9 1 n 8i — 1 5 3 1 3 1 1 4 3 1 2 3 3 3 4 2 3 0 0 4 5 1 3 2 1 3 0 3 2 1 1 3 2 0 3 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 1 6 4 1 3 2 2 5 4 4 1 1 6 5 1 2 1 3 4 1 3 3 1 1 4, 4 0 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 6 6 1 2 0 I 17 27 19 I '7 22 8 7 33 29 5 19 13 2 3 2 2 2 23 24 25 9fi 3 21 2 1 30 31 3S 2 1 1 2 0 I 2 1 10 0 1 1 o ; 1 0 4 - - sa ~ I 36' 37 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 o 2 I I 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 I _^_ 'ill 13* , — ! 339 718 Forward... ... ••• ••• Total ... L 057 Pen 2« bad one etc under weight added to total weighi Silver Wywdoites, total 115 ; Price's Buff Orpingtons. 96 ; Eiehfc Dens have not yet started. b only. Leading pens ; and Mann's White are H. Hawke's Wyandottes, 82.

THE LINCOLN COLLEGE (UTILITY PODLTET CLUB'S) EGG-LAYINtf COMPETITION. STATEMENT FOR WEEK KNDING MAY 28.