POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2927, 20 April 1910, Page 36

POULTRY NOTES.

Br Terror.

—"Mr E. Really, of Reilly, Scott, and Gill, has been appointed to judge film Naseby and Oamaru shows.

The Christohuroh show is to be" judged as follows: —Wyandottes and Orpingtons, Mr J. Tindall; Minorcas and black Leghorns, Mr H. Hearfield; Leghorns (other than black), Anconas, Andalusians, and Campines, Messrs R. _C. Wilson and C. Lucas; and all other classes, Mr F. Dacre. —t The especial attraction at the poultry sale at Messrs Reilly, Scott, and Gill's last week was the disposal of a number of barred Plymouth Rocks imported from Mr B. B. Thompson of the United States of America, and it will be encouraging to' fanciers to learn that although, the prices obtained by the auctioneers were by no means phenomenal they were nevertheless "fancy" figures. The following breeders secured birds ■ at the prices given : —T. Leedham—one pullet at 345, two at 20s, three at 13; Sinclair Horner, two pullets at 17s and one cockerel at 325; B. Ainge—two puilets at 16s, three at 13s, one cockerel at 20s; John Peterson—four pullets at 14s, one at 13s, brie cockerel at 15s; F. Rogen—one pullet at 28s, one at ISs, two at 265, one cockerel at 41s; E. S! Cott—two pullets at 15s; W. Mitchell—two puilets at 15s. The birds, though of undoubtedly good quality and well worth the purchase money, are not superior to strains of the breed which were already in the hands of Dunedin fanciers and shown last year. This last-mentioned strain was imported by Messrs Rogen and Andrew from the Grove Hill Poultry Yards of America, and the progeny is now in the hands of Messrs S. S. Myers (of Anderson's Bay), Mr P. Sinclair (of Mosgiel) and others. Mr Albert Bills, of Wain street, Opoho, has a splendid cockerel.

the departure of Mr T. Harland, partner of Conn and Harland, the popular cocker spaniel breeders of this city. Besides being a consistent member of the local Fanciers' Club, he was a real good sport, and I am sure Dunedin's loss will be Invercargill's gain. It is Mr Harlahd's intention to also go in for the fowl fancy as well. He is taking on black Orpingtons. He has bred some very nice ones, so I wish hiim luck in this line. I gather 'from the breeders that it is not'their intention to split the partners up, but Mr Harland is taking half the stock south and M r Goran is keeping the balance here. While talking about these breeders, I learn from them that their importations have cost them over £IOO. In this they are to be congratulated, for they tell me it is -their intention to breed to one standard, and with this view in sight they have had to import several dogs to get the strains they want. . —Mrs Lucy, the well-known North-East Valley breeder of Indian Runner anr' buff Orpington ducks, has a flock of over 100 young birds, which well repay inspection. Taking the laying ducks first, I was shown a little flock of 15 young Runner ducks, the progeny of a trio imported last year from G. Thompson, of West Australia,, the. winner of the third Subiaco jeompetition, whose ducks put up the marvellous record of 1571 eggs for the. first 12, and 2638 eggs for the total 21, months of the test, and an average per bird of nearly 262 and 440 eggs respectively. The highest score for fowls in the. same test was 1400 and 2047 These ducks commenced laying on the tenth day after their arrival in Dunedin. after a very trying journey, and have laid almost without intermission ever since. Their descendants appear very likely-look-ing birds, and as a pen of them are entered for the forthcoming Utility Poultry Club's Competition, • they will have a chance of showing themselves to be as good as their famous relatives. Some young drakes from .the same trio look very promising, and Mrs Lucy has already had inquiries for some of them. from previous customers, desirous of yet further increasing the eggproducing powers of their flocks. A glance at the Greymouth winter test winners of 1907, now reduced by accident to five ducks, shows them to be in good corfdition, and I was told that they were still laying as well as ever. A flock of young ducks, bred from the abov%, are very typical birds, being alert, vigorous, and of good carriage, and some of them have been laying sines they were between four and five months of age. The show Runners a>re next in order, and some of the promising youngsters I inspected should do well this season whenever exhibited. The duck with which Mrs Lucy scored' so well last season has unfortunately joined the great majority. Buff Orpington ducks next command attention, and the trio of this breed, which were unbeaten last year at Christ-church, Ashburton, and Dunedin, appear fit for exhibition at any time. Before coming into Mrs Lucy's possession, the drake of this trio had won 15 first prizes, and the ducks several each in Australia. Some of the young Buff Orpingtons which I was next shown were fine massive, well-coloured specimens, and likely to give their parents a shaking up if they meet them in competition this year. A couple of these birds, as wlill as a pair of Indian Runners, have been already purchased by a Southland fancier for exhibition purposes. Last year

Mrs Lucy experienced a great demand for her birds,* and over 50 of them were distributed to customers residing in both islands, on© purchaser being so satisfied with the birds sent that he repeated his order twice in quick succession. Mrs Lucy uses the Cyphers incubator, and considers it a most reliable machine for duckhatching. Last season Airs Lucy exhibited at the Christchurch, Ashburton, and Dunedin shows, winning seven first prizes, two specials, seven seconds, one third and two or three v.h.c.'s and h.e.'s with a total of 22 entries. Indian Runner ducks, if hatched out before the end of September, should be laying by this time if they have received the care and attention so essential to egg production. This season has so far been too dry a one to get the best results from duoks, as they are (partial to surroundings of a nature more moist than we have been getting- fear so many months.' Many young Runners commence laying at about five 'months old, although it is not wise .to count too much on their doing so until nearly sevep months of age, and if so bred that they reach this profitable stage at about April, When eggs command a high price, they are likely to lay well throughout the winter, and thereby gladden their owner's heart. I think, however, that the second year's laying of an Indian Runner is more profitable than the first, as the number of eggs is, generally, nearly as many, and there is no reoent preliminary expenditure to counterbalance the resultant year's profit. Whilst inbreeding, unduly maintained, is harmful, it must not be overlooked that outside of the fanciers' yards "inbreeding" is one of the natural laws for conserving' the continuity of the different created species, as also for preserving the fixity of type. True, when man by domestication has outraged Nature's laws the latter resenting his interference, refuses to adopt her methods to his requirements, hence, while in their natural state, when only the survival of the fittest is arranged for, inbreeding, ever incestuous inbreeding, is "not only tolerated, bat in many instances actually promoted. The results of domesticity where artifical feeding and selection prevail, and where the immature young which naturally would have fallen victims to natural r oes, or hardships, for which a weak constitution unfits them, are retained by man's influence to become the progenitors of their race; then too close in breeding undoubtedly has its drawbacks, and where the necessity to keep up the original type demands it, then the stoctc to be bred from should be kept as nearly as possible in. accordance with Nature'? own . rules for. their state of existence.. This seams to me the seorefc wdiich should be treasured by every breeder. ' The age of an egg is a familiar subject of humour. The egg, in fact, shares with the cheese the dubious honour of inspiring much of the humour that adorns our comic papers and delights the patrons of our music halls. It would ?eem, however, that the egg has been somewhat a maligned article. The Royal Zoological Society of Ireland recently held its usual breakfast meeting, when (says an English paper) a rare delicacy formed part of the menu, in the shape of some eggs brought home from China .by Sir Charles Ball. Sir Charles gave his guarantee that these eggs were at least 40 years old. . and though this announcement was not encouraging, the indomitable scientific spirit prevailed, and the eggs were eaten. They were described as quite agreeable—a sort of jelly, with a delicate egg-like flavour. I reproduce the following letter as it appeared in the Poultry World (England), February 18 last, in the hope that some Witness readers will deal with the subject through these columns: —" Are Laying Strains Influenced by Line-Breeding?—To the Editor of The Poultry World—Sir—ls it true that high productivity of eggs is transmitted and can be maintained, peTpetuated, or developed by line-breeding or by any system of lineal descent? This question is generally assumed to be answerable in the affirmative, but the object of this letter is to appeal for proof of the assumption, against which I venture to assert that all the available evidence of a scientific nature points to a contrary conclusion. "It is indisputed that by selective breeding and culture various types of breeds of the domestic fowl have been established, which far surpass their wild congener and the '"barn-door mongrel in fecundity, but is there any foundation in partially recorded facts for the supposed existence of ' laying, strains ' within these breads?

"Nowadays nearly every poultry-keeper claims to have a laying strain of his own or of someone else's, but what has become of the unstrained residue? My own experience, which no doubt is that of many others, leads me to believe that the bulk of the hens rea.chi.ng the pmblic from so> called ' laying strains ' show marked inferiority in the' average of their performances to the average of their breed, as also to that of well selected cross-breds, but. I await competent refutation of my heresies, if they are fiuch, with all due humility as an—lnexpert."

effect that Mr A. H. Padman, the wellknown breeder of white Leghorns, has won the Gatton competition in Queensland, with a score of 1532 eggs for 12 months from a pen of six hens. Two years ago his birds established the world's record at the same pla-co with a tally of 1538. It is a truly wonderful achievement for a South Australian breeder- to enter in a different climate and be victorious twice in succession with scores so remarkably close and consistent. • The 1532 is highest for 1909-10 competitions.

The Roseworthy Competition (South Australia) was successfully concluded on March 31. The full report was not available at time of writing, but following are the leading pens:— —Section 1: "White Leghorns.— Market V.-lue. • £■ e. d. 1. £l2 (and special), C. B. Bertelsnusier (pen 17)* 1531 5 17 2 2. £7, A. J. Cosh 1367 5 6 4 3. £3, Sarsrenfri Poultry Yards 1333 5 6 3 4. £1 10a, E. A. Peddar ~ 1363 5 5 G 5. 10s, P. E, Hannaford ... 1334 5 4 4 * Six-monthly prizes. —Section 2: All Other Breeds.— 1. .£l2, Carolina Farm—B. o*r>. 1190 4 17 7 2. £7, Carolina Farm—B. Orp. 1204 4 16 10 3. m, W. C. Wutm—Blk Orp. 1230 4*lß 1 4. £1 10s, B. P, Martin—B. Orri. 1210 4 14 10 5. 103, Kappler Bros.—S. Wyan. 1173 4 12 § Competition was decided by value of cggr.3 laid, not by numbers In 3907-8 the

top score was 1531 (local record), so that | Berbelsmeier's pen has tied for local | record. In 1907-8 there were 366 days; in , 1909-10 there wore 365. Had there been | another day this time Bertelameiev probably would havo got tvo or three more ■ego-s, and so. established n. new local record. The Clare birds havo put up a. magnificent performance in trying for local record, j and it should bo said that on this occasion | takin<>- them throughout, tho weather conditions wore more severe. Mr Bertelsmeicr is heartily congratulated on his success in reaching -the top, after some years of steady, consistent improvement.

ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE FOODS. Reference is made in the report of the superintendent of Roseworthy Poultry Station to two food items. The first is lucerne haV chaff. The writer says:-"For many vears I have been a strong advocate ot the use of this magnificent fodder as the best and most economical for poultry I have used it practically all my life for fowls As a green food, chaffed, and either mixed with mash, or fed at midday ot hung in bunches for the birds to pick at, it has a food value superior to clover I prefer to chaff it, as there is practically no loss. Lucerne hay properly cured so as to conserve the leaf, which contains the ac.tual food and well chaffed, is a splendid poultry food' It contains about 17 per cent, ot flesh-formers (which are also egg-makers). Before use it should be soaked m hot" water for some hours. Soak. over nighty for the morning mash. This softens the fibres and renders the chaff more palatable and digestible At both Roseworthy and Kybybohte Poultry Stations the lucerne chaff I am using was grown and cured at the Government irrigation blocks on the River Murray at Murray Bridge. There are. many other foods agreeable to poultry, such as kail rape, and other of the brassica meal is similar to the article known in America as beef scraps and in England as crissel, etc. The sample used during recent years at the poultry stations is manufactured at the Government freezing works, Port Adelaide and is superior in every way to any other that I have used. This method of providing animal food is exceedingly appropriate in a' climate such as prevails here during - the warm months. In hot weather the use of uncooked meat is inadvisable, and it is exceedingly difficult to keep it fresh. Green bone, so much admired by some people, is even more unreliable. During my long experience I have traced many poultry-yard disasters to the use of tainted meat or green bone. Preparations similar to the poultry meat meal are reliable, and can be made into soup by adding sufficient boiling water, and allowing the mixture to stand. According to analysis we can feed in the form of grain and vegetables all the albuminoids necessary for poultry, but the fact remains that these do not perform the precise functions of the animal albuminoids. Those who say animal food i 6 not necessary must lack experience, observation, and education. The majority of South Australian, breeders find that without a due proportion of animal food their egg yield cannot be maintained."

CHOLERA. The appalling losses of poultry from "a mysterious disease" to which the Victorian breeders have been subjected l of late should act as a warning to breeders here • and stimulate them in. the direction of taking vigorous steps to protect their flocks from the ravages of such a disease. Prevention is always better than cure, and, as the symptoms of the Victorian disease undoubtedly point to cholera, a few hints on that most fatal of all poultry diseases will not be out of place. Mr J. Woodioffe Hill, the well-known veterinary surgeon, describes fowl cholera as "an epidemic diarrhoea, chiefly produced by defective regime, or hygiene, in the poultry yard, and the contaminating influences of choleraic discharges, decomposing animal and vegetable matters, impure water, and low, damp situations'." Fowl cholera is swift and fatal, and breeders will be well advised to dig under ground all decayed matter in .the runs, and, if possible, sweeten the .ground by planting some useful plant, such as kale or lucerne. The regular use of Epsom salts, one packet to 20 birds, in the morning mash, and the scalding and shading of all drinking fountains will have d> beneficial iand preventive effect. In order that breeders might be made acquainted with the disease in its initial stages, the following description is taken from the Farmers' Bulletin, No. 15, supplied, by the Department of Agriculture in New South Wales: —"If the symptoms are noticed early, the bird will he found dull and listless, rocking its body and dragging the legs as though they were cramped when walking. The feathers are ruffled, and the wings drooped. The eyes are more or less sunken, the eyelids sv.;pllen, and frequently an irritable condition of the latter exists, causing the' bird to scratch the parts. Appetite is suspended, but there is frequent thirst, and inclination for warmth is manifested by the affected birds huddling together or keeping in the sun. Diarrhoea is present throughout, being at first glairy and mucous, and subsequently white and frothy, or bubbling. As the malady proceeds the depression is more marked, the eyelids are closed, the head carried low. and swollen from effusion of serum and congestion of the blood vessels. The gait is staggering, and the exudations become very white, clearer, watery, streaked with blood, and offensive."

Immediately any of the above .syrnotoms manifest themselves the unaffected birds should be removed to fresh ground, the affected ones .destroyed by fire or thorough disinfection., and quarantine the infected yards until they are thoroughly sweetened by cultivation. In birds in the curable stages a small teaspoonful of salad oil into which three -drops of chlorodyne are mixed is recommended. All the water should bo given fresh several times a day, and sufficient sulphate of iron mixed with it to give the water a slight inky taste. The water vessels should ba scalded on eaoh watering. As food, rice boiled in milk is about the best thing to give them, but scalded sour milk is also recommended as a drink. The bird's strength must be kept up, and food of any description that is easy of digestion, not tending to irritate the already inflamed organs, may be given. CENTRAL PRODUCE MART. Reilly, Scott, and Gill (Ltd.) report icathe week ending Saturday, 16th inst; — Poultry: x\t our usual sale held on Wednesday we offered some fine 'barred Plymouth Rock pullets, hens and cockerels on account of Mr 11. Jack*, Stoke. Nelson; alsi son:'?' nice pens of silver Wyandotfccs, blavk Orpin o'tons, and white Leghoiaia r-n account

of local fanciers. Having a good attendance of fanciers and those interested, we had a most successful sale. It is quite evident that Plymouth Rocks are in favour at present, some of the most prominent fanciers securing specimens. White Leg*horns and black Orpingtons also realised good prices. In all we sold 131 purebred birds, which realised from 3s 3d to 44s each. We propose holding a further sale on Wednesday, the 27th, when we shall submit some imported Plymouth Rocks, black Orpingtons, Leghorns, etc. Guaranteed fresh eggs are wanted, 2b per dozen being readily paid. w 553 .. - a