FANCIERS' COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 42

FANCIERS' COLUMN.

The Otago Witness has been appointed the official organ for the publication of announcement* of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club. DATES OF SOUTH ISLAND SHOWS Afl arranged by the South Island Poultry Association. —East Coa3t.— 'June 8. —Maniototo. June 10 and 11.—Ashburton. Group 2 Championships. June 15 end 16—Temuka. June 24 and 25.—South Canterbury June 25.—Taieri. Group 1 Championship. June 29 and 30.—Wyndham. June 30 and July I.—North Canterbury. July 1 and 2.—Oamaru. Group 3 Championships. July 6 and 7.—Southland. July 8 and 9.—Waimate. July 16. —Tapanui. —S.J. Interclub ChaMbnge Shield.— July 1 and 2.—Granity. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Hen Wife.—Your fowls are evidently fed, housed, and exercised correctly; and as you allege they are otherwise plump and healthy, I must presume that the trouble that has caused death in the cases you mention is inflammation of the egg passages, caused probably by their first eggs breaking. Amongst otherwise healthy-look-ing chickens —particularly where there has been in-breeding, also in breeding from birds of unsound condition —some are apt to succumb at eventful periods of life, such as at the hatching period, the laying of the first egg, or durihg the moult. Many chicks that fail to break through the shell appear to \>s> particularly promising, and we say "What a pity it did not hatch," but ultimately, perhaps, it is just as well it did not, for the little extra strength then required might only have carried it on till the laying stage, and then all the feeding and care would have, been in vain. Would advise change of blood in the shap-> of a cockerel of a new strain in the next breeding pen. Working Collie.—See reply in Kennel Notes.