POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2676, 28 June 1905, Page 31

POULTRY NOTES.

Bt Tekkob.

— A visiting fancier of many years' ex« perience, who saw the Ohristchureh chow, describes it as the best lot of birds he ever saw together. The black Orpingtons winning cock he considers was a "plum," lufc, nevertheless, not quite up to the mark of Grant's winning bird at the Dunedin show last year. The winning hen he thought to much of a Cochin, the .second being of much .better type, though not so big. In cockerels the first was good, but coarse in face and head 1 . The pullets were the pick of the lot, and any of the first 10 might have got 'prizes without mwch comment. The Buffs were a « motley lot, "out 'of it" in type, and none too good in colour. Minoreas were first class all round. In comparison, the Dunedin winners of last year might have got "commended" tickets, certainly nothing more. Th© first cockerel should have got, my informant thinks, the prize for best third in the show. As regards the hens and pullets, they were as near perfection as' possible from the "fancy" standpoint, but would Save to oome down a. lot in size to suit the utility view. Wyandottes were a- very mixed lot, very few being right in type, and "those that were were badly laced. Mr P. Carotin's hen was the "pick of the bunch" in silvers. The third prize cockerel should have got first, and the second- should not have got a place. The third prize cockerel" was elaim&d by Mr Carolin at £5 ss, and is a good bird as regards type, toji colour and wings. The pullets were a nice lot, bub too narrow — nothing like the blocky birds we used to see. The winning golden pullet was sound in colour, and the best in lacing, but as narrow as a Leghorn, andiar too long in the back. The Ltujgehana were nothinsr much — the first prize hen was the best. White Leghorn hens made a good show, the winners in all classes being "0.X." The flist cockerel is a bit leggy and a little? narrow-chested. My informant liked the third bird be&t, but considers that, as with the Minoreas, they run too high. He thinks it is high time the judges cut Mediterraneans down a notch, or the hens won't; lay egga enough in a. year to make a cake. It is to be hoped th© rage, for utility will influence the "fancy' in this respect before the breeds are completely spoilt. The browij* Leghorns were a good lot all told, but the winning pullet was scarcely up to the mark of last year as represented by the first prize lien this year. Houdans showed much improvement — better than has been seen for years. Judging, all things considered, was good in all classes, except in Wyandottes, where, perhaps, a. belter job might have been made of the good stuff. — The Southland show, t( be held this yeai\ has a record entry to boast of, exceeding by 60 per cent. last year's number, which in its turn was the bigges* up be then. Mr Maude is to fudge, and probably it is due to this excellent appointnn«iis that birds and dogs are journeying, as this is being read, from all parts of the South) Inland. On Wednesday Mr Burke, the Dunedin poultry grader, is to give an exhibition of cramming and trussing birds.

— The schedule of the Oarnarn Olub's L show on July 7 and' 8 notifies that entries positively close on the 22nd md. —Mr P. W. Wates, of SutmvdaTe. NortE* East Valley. Is. like Mrs Mills, of Wootl-i liaugh, upou whose poultry I reported recently, another local fancier of considerably experience of whose existence until tni^ Beason I have to plead ignorance. Mr WaifcS has about a dozen white "Leghorns, of excel-* lent quality, m&ted to a Sunnyhuvst oockejjj

Df, ior a laying strain specimen, very nice appearance. JNeither the pullets nor their mate is large, but in head points and plumagie they are pretty well ail that can be desired. Another pcn — one of white Bock hens of Bett's imported American Strain — kept -by this fancier are also a serviceable-looking lot. They are small, like hhe leghorns, but good sbay-white plumage and Shapely birds. These are- mated with % cockerel bred from Frethey's (Wanganui) imported bird — a bird of fair size and good colour. He lacks in length, but is, never- - theless, a handsome bird. Mated as this pen. is, it should produce good stock of a kind much needed in- the district. Mr iWates has erected very suitable accommodation for his birds, and a«pp a rently gives daily attention to the matter of cleanliness, the free use of whitewash and dusted lime making the interior arid fittings of eaoh house look remarkably clean and sweet. —Mr Jones, formerly of Albany street, and now of Opoho, ds taking advantage of ~ extended range to keep a much larger number of birds than he could possibly manage in' his old premises, but apparently is continuing to get the wonderful results in eggs Df which he could always boast>From about;

♦0 -possible layers he reports 20 and more egg's a day, even in ~tfae present unfavourable iweather, and I have no doubt when, next; year, he carries probably double his present stock, an dpetbaps more, he will still shov? equally good results. With Mr Jones it " is not a matter of three feeds a day, half ' Rn hour's cleaning up, and five minutes collecting eggs, but an oil day business. The wheat constituting & day's feed 'is thrown some half. -a dozen times instead of thrice, with the result that to all intente and purposes the birds pick their grain all day long, and consequently never get a full crop not thoroughly intermixed with roughage — grass, and all that oan.be found by a bns^ jhen upon an extended run. Mr Jones is as familiar with every bird in his charge as they are with one another, for he is constantly amongst them, fie can handle any. one of his laying stock almost at will, whether in the open 'or when, on the nests,. . so that they never get frights from his intrusion at any time. In short, they are thoroughly domesticated birds, and act as such. His Louses" are not exactly like car-penter-built structures, not brilliantly white inside with whitewash, ..but they are marvellously clean at all times, and coal ash. freely distributed, effectually keeps down all vermin. ' — Recently Mr Frank Gibbons of Toi To'i Valley, Nelson, purchased six Indian Runner ducke,_ which laid during • the month of May 171 eggs — an- average of BB± eggs per bead, for the 31 days. The eggs were cold at an average price of Is 10d-per dozen. . -" ' " ' — Poultry clubs should be careful to supply their" judge?. from; "a with "certificates to present to stationmasters, . so that they _can .obtain -tickets at concession ,'ates. As failure to ob'serve-this practice means extra expense to clubs, I presume ,secre.baries only need a reminder- tocause them to conform this season.. I have heard of considerable trouble in past years over unavailing efforts ,to get refunds." , — *In a paper, upon and Management,", by,. Mr H. Y. Hawkins, lecturer on poultry, published in .the Journal,, of 'Agriculture' of Victoria for May last, occurs the following remarks lip'on "Oats As an Egg-producer": — "Last; year I made certain experiments in regard to feeding for" egg-production. Six pullets were placed in separate pens of 75ft x 20ft, with good grass and plenty of shale. In the morning, they were fed on two. parts --pollard and one.-parfc I>ran, : with? fin.ely.-cut 'xyegrass.> . aioon meal ."consisted —of. ;lbzi of- '.wheat *■ to each — no animal, food. Another six pullets of the same breed, age, and stock .were penned under similar conditions, but the ration was altered to two parts pollard, one part bran, '«heep'-s liver, lightly boiled and .cut -finely, • with"' lo per cent, chopped raw onion, all mixed fca a crumbly consistency, and given in the mornng. The evenng meal ."was l£oz of short stout oats to each bird. Ample shell-forming material was provided to' both lots. Those fed with the addition of liver, onions, and oats, instead of grass and wheat, produced more than double the quantity of eggs of the first pdn. The additional cost was more than compensated by the increased egg yield. This shows clearly that lioz of animal food daily with short oats at night, fed to the heavy birds, contain the elements required in developing Ihe ovarian vduster. The_ eggs are there : why .not feed for, their development, instead "of waiting six or seven years for, say, 600 »ggs from a layer, when proper feeding will reduce the number^ of .years by at lease - If this is done, an<l the- three-year-old ien got rid of, good profit will accrue. As an' American fancier puts .-it, ''The hen is merely a machine by which, she converts one ■ Form of food into another" — i.e., eggs and flesh. In 1 concluding my remarks on feeding" I should' advise feeding not only the. breeding pen but the farm stock layers on ihort whit© oats, cay, four days a week, alternately with wheat.. Avoid feeding maize, as it is too heating and too fattening for laying hens when penned up, except, in extreme cold and wet weather. Then a feed of maize will be' found very benefical. Remember that short oats will produce eggs " and give whiteness to flesh, while maize and wheat will darken the flesh, and both ■re lacking in lime as compared with oats. STou will have no liver troubles amongst your poultry if you feed on short oats at ' night. But wheat and maize given in excess are factors favouring liver disease. — Pryor and- Co., per Mr E. Reilly, report table poultry has been coining to hand Freely, -demand has been good, and prices fully maintained. We sold 65 hens at 3s Sa 195 at 3s 6d, and 170 at 5s- 9d, 50 at 4s 22 young roosters at 3s 3d, 84 at 3s od, 163 at 3s 9d, 72 at *s, and 19 extra prime at 4s 6d.. Ducks .in short supply; we sold all forward at 4s to 4s "6d per pair; turkeysaemand. fair,, we sold 14 gobblers, at 9d, 12 hens at-4id'-.pe-r-lb. -We ™*™ d ™ geese the past week. -Eggs : As we anhLpted, the market has buffeted- a -sharp Hecline. We sold Monday V consignments at Is 7d per dozen; the market declined, .and & Saturday "the best price «Wainabl» was Is s'd 'per dozen. We -sold all our .opnsym&enW at 'these' priced *- Preserved-we. sold Si forwatdrat Is<2d. per dozen , tho^hvtha hiarket.was.W. pn- Saturday. On . We|nes ; Hay last we held a,, special sale of pure; Erea poultry,, cataloguing -some -500. tads. Srhe demand was 1 not as; good as w.e-had,at former sales,. ' \uff breeders gently were Hetermmedto .clear at. prices; offered. -White iWyandotte pullets sold .from- 4s to- 9s, Mr U.. Wilde's consignment realism* the latter ■figure; cockerels from 3s 6d to lOe, Mr-W. Bennett's • cockerels realising the highest trices. White Leghorn pullets sold from Is to 7s 6d each, some of Hunt's strain r-ea-Hsing the latter figure; cockerels sold from la fed, tft 15$, a cockerel fcoai Mi Bennett

realising the highest price. Minorca pullets sold from 5s to ss; cockerels 2s 6d to ss. Brown Leghorn pullets 3s to 6s, Roberts'* strain realising tho latter figure; cockerek were a glut, and sold from 2s to 3s. Silver Wyandotte pullets sold from 4-s to 7s, and cockerels from 2s to 10s, Howell's strain bringing the highest price. Buff Orpington pullets sold from 2s 6d to 4s 6d, and cockerels from 2s 6d to 7s. Other varieties sold from 2s to 3s 3d for _ puliete, and cockerels from 2s to ss. Pekm ducks realised 3s to ss, drake* 4s, Indian runner ducks ss, drakes 5s We also placed a numbe of birds privately from 5s to 25s each, 120 Cyphers incubators at £5 10s, and two new Jubilee incubators at catalogue prices. —Breeding Fancy Poultry.— Breeding fancy poultry is a fascinating science, and those who follow it carefully and use fair intelligence can make it a paying industry. The trouble is that people take it up without knowledge or the work There is a science m all poultry breeding, but far more so in raising fancy breeds than the ordinary farmyard fowls. There are several points that the breeder must keen well in mind. It is shade and feathers that he is breeding for, and not for the qualities which make ordinary poultry valuable. Without perfect shjfpe and appearance the fancy birds would be of little use in a sho.v, and it is for exhibition qualities that ho must strive. One may ignore the exhibitions of poultry when raising the birds for market* but he cannot do that if fan^y fowls a-re his object. In order to understand the business one must read and study upon tho subject of fancy fowls. He must have the shape of his breed fixed firmly in his mind. Half the battle depends upon the shape of the bird. By conforming to the ideal shape one lays the foundation^ for all other successes. No matter how perfect the carriage or markings of the bird may be, if the shape is tjoor they will never come up to the standard set by Ihe exhibitors of fancy breeds. Good shape generally indicates the rest of the essential points-. But not always. Otherwise it would never be necessary to breed for carriage and plumage. A well-shaped fowl will usually have a good carriage, but occasionally this can be improved by selecting for further breeding the birds that are stately and graceful in their walk and deportment. Breeding for plumage is not the least fascinating part of the fancier'a work. It probably yields more genuine pleasure than any other part of the labour. Starting with birds of excellent constitution and shape, it is remarkable what change can be made in the markings of the feathers without in any way destroying or injuring .the type. But it takes long years of careful selection and breeding to accomplish this in a way that gives satisfaction. , It is a work of love as well as wages. — Journal of Agriculture. — How to Prepare Birds for the Show , Bench. —

Poultry says: ''We are frequently asked at this season how best to prepare birds for the show bench. The adults are usually eg dirty and shabby after the season's workr'that they are quite unfit to showwithout considerable preparation. They should be kept apart and in the shade, so far as' possible. All minor broken feathers should " be removed ' sufficiently long before tie -show to give them time to grow again, but care must be taken that no leading feathers are removed in such a way as to give reasonable' ground for suspicion that the bird has been trimmed. In "the whit© or light-coloured verieties, and indeed in all varieties in which there is any light colour capable of showing dirt, a good washing is essential. It must not be attempted, however, if the bird has begun to cast its feathers, as the almost certain result will be a sudden moult, which will spoil all chance of success. "The great secret of washing successfully is to do i% boldly; a .half wash is worse than none at all. The bird should be placed in a clean tub of good size in about lOin or 12in of- water, and should in the first place be soaked to the skin with the water, which, by the way, should be fairly warm-, though not warm enough to cause the bird to faint. Should this contingency occur, as it sometimes will with heavy birds, a dash of cold water over the head or the holding the head undei' the water spout for a minute or two will bring th« bird round. When once it has been thoroughly soaked with water it shoiild be , as thoroughly soaked with some white soap or with softsoap, a good lather being raised, and all parts being well soaped. "The use of a sponge and brush is decidedly advantageous, and there need he no ; fear as to breaking the feathers, provided they are not rubbed directly against the 'grain.. To rub them across the grain and ■ to scrub the really soiled parts with a, : brush is necessary. If the bird, be very ,dirty it may be desirable to use a second supply -of warm -water for the- wash : but in any case three or four fresh supplies of warm water should be afc hand to thoroughly rinse out the soap from all parts. The soap should be well washed out with hand and sponge in the first water used, and the subsequent rinsing waters may be thrown over the . bird partly ; the rinsing process should be continued in any case until there is no sign of soap on. any of the feathers.

"When this stage has been reached tire bird should be placed on a table and thoroughly dried with a soft, clean cloth, rubbing well into the feathers. If these should have become matted at. all in the process they should be combed out with a clean comb, and the bird should then be put to dry in a clean basket, the lining of ■which has been turned back from one bide, placed in front of the fire. It must not to near enough, however, to blister the bird's skin or to curl the feathers. Attention is necessary during the drying- process to see that the birds turns itself to the fire, so that all parts get a fair share of the heat and dry simultaneously, or nearly so. If the birds are tame, the bottom bar of a kitchen table, round three sides of which a curtain has been hung, makes a good roost, oh whi<?h they can be placed near the fire and can dry without risk of getting soiled, as they niay do if placed on straw, unless carefully watched. We r-ecommend all beginners to try iheir hands in the first instance on a bird not intended for show, and to practise two or three times, if necessary, on such a bird."

The Arbitration Court on Friday awarded £250 compensation, against W. R. Lyltelton, of Rakaia, sheep farmer, in consequence of the death by accident of a ploughman wliile m respondent's eoyjlojc.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 26.

The statement for the eighth week of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's egglaying competition at Lincoln College showb that the total number of eggs laid during the we&k was 34-1, making the total to date 24-24-. The following are highest on the list, the total given being for eight weeks:— H. Hawke (Greytown), 28, total 217: A. M. Price (Christchuroh), 19, total 189; John Mann (Templeton), 15, total 167; Alfred Tyree (Christchurch) 16, total 150: Edmoiid Wilder (Fernside), 18, total 129; R. E. W. Evans (Ghristchuroh), 17, total 127; K. S. <?ox (Sockburn), 16, total 123 ; A. H. Bristed (Christchurch), 23, total 115; F. A. Rollinson (Kaiapoi), 8, total 111. No eggs have yet been laid by the birds in four pens. The birds in several pens are moulting. j

THE BLENHEIM COMPETITION.

BLENHEIM, June '2s

During the eighth week of the New Zealand egg-laying competition, 1061 eggs were laid, as against 819 V in the previous week. This advance brings the average per pen up lo 10 3-5 eggs. Mr H. Leger's white Leghorns (Levin) maintain the lead wifch 27 for last week, and an aggregate of 195. Mr Brooks, of South Australia, is eeoond,' with 29 and 188; Mr H. Creber's silver Wyandottes (Westport), with 15 for the week, and Mr Jonathan Hodson's whit© Leghorns (Blenheim), with 24 for the week, are a tie for third place with an. aggregate of 137 each.

THE LINCOLN COLLEGE (UTILITf COMPET POULTRY C: LTION. rS) E«e-LAYIN6t STATEMENT FOR WlB!i I INDING JUNE I 103. B, 19 6 ! 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 3* 35 36' IP. Presents (Ohristchuvch). Silver Wyandottes ... |U. S. Cox (Sockburo), Buff Orpingtons H. Pannell (Chrigtehurch), Black Orpingtons J. J. Royds chinch). Buff Lpghorns H. 0. Lane (Spreyd<n), Silver AVyandottes R. Willis and Son (New Brighton). B. Orpingtons H. P. Pocock (Alexandra S.), Blade Orpingtons... Alexandra Poultry Co. (C. O.). W. Plymouth R'ks John Tindall (Ohristchurch). Silver Wyandottes A. H. Bristed (Lin-wo d), Buff Orpingtons W. B. Cowlishaw (Chch), Bkck Orpingtons Mrs Mills (Dunedin), White Leghorns A. F. AndersoD (Christchmch), Brown Leghorns F. C. Hack (Upper Riccartoij), S. Wyandottes ... Bishani Poultry Farm (Makikihi), B. Orpingtons Charles Petersen (Timaru). Black Oipiogtous R W. Hawke (Papanui), White Leghorns ... J. H. Shaw (Kircarton), Brown Leghorns John Mann (TemplDton) White Wyaodoltes B. B. M. Evans (Christchurch), S. Wyaudottes .. Edrnond Wilaer (Feinside), Buff Orpiugtons Alfred Tyree (Christchurch), Black Orpingtons Mrs Alexandra Studholme (Hinds), Aucona.s E. Pannell (Christchurch). S. Wyandottes H. Havvke (Gieytown North), S. Wj antfottes ... A. if. Price (Ohiistdmrch), Buff Orpingtons G. Rollinson (Kaiapoi), Black Orpingtonh F. A. Rolliu»on (Kaiapoi), American W. Leghorns Ernest Scott (Ducedin). Brown Leghorns Arthur (iapes (Ohris / tchurch'>, Black Langshans ... (i. H. Blair (Timaru >, White Wyandottes G. R. Hutchinsoa (Auckland), S. Wyandottes ... Mrs Symons (Chustchurch), Buff Orpingtons G R. Hutchinson (Auckland), B. Orpingtons ... Henry LegeE (Levin), White Wyandottes |j. W. Halliday (Chriatchurch), Minorcas H. Waldcn (Greytown N.), S. C, Brown Leghorns E. Steer (Greymouth). Whita Leghorns Competitor. 1 2 3 2 0 4 § i 8 H 2 S 2 1 2 0 <v 2 0 2 1 i a H 3 3 3 ! 1 3 & 1 2 i ! 2 | O2 A 2 1 2 4 ; 3 2 i 3 3 j 0 2 3 2 :*S To" 16 15 15 8 £0 :*£< 38 { 123 48 84 25 54 iWe 1l». I 1 l 1 i 1 tour " N I OX. 41 Ml 11* Voi ni 2 j 1 1 3 1 0 0 1 4 0 0 1 2 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 4 0 0 1 11 11 i 4 6 2J 1 2 i 7 81 115 W 32 35 2o 47 31 - - _ I 7 s' 10J ni If 4 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 .- 3 8 63 15* _ I i - 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 4 5 2 1 2 3 3 1 0 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 2 4 3 3 1 2 j 2 1 3 1 4 2 1 4 3 3 3 I 6 j — — i 2 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 \2 2 !2! 2 0. 2 3 4 3 3 - 14 15 17 18 16 16 28 19 99 .67 127 129 150 70 50 217 189 35 111 65 _ | 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 HI 15i 3f 5i 1! loi 4i 2 0 0 1 2 1 l 3l 3 0 0 I _ a !i 3 3 8 11 1 I 1 0 2 0 1 3 1 0 i 0 ! 1 1 b o 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 11 5 3 _ I 67 5 27 - 1 i i 7S 0 1 1 3 Q 0 S 0 1 1 3 - - - - 5v 41 0 0 2 0 I 3 4 4 9 3 15 25 5S - _ r\ Totals... 54 38 52 47 47 51 52 341 242. Wil<3ei's pen contains 3 broody, Tyree'i 1, H. H; soft-shelled egg in H. Hawke's pen and underweighi June 18 to 24 very wet. iwke 1. Pi egg laic ■ici': I by 2. pu! Seve'al oens : llet in Pii.e' are m 's pel ioult H 1 B. ■ing. Weal One her: