POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 62

POULTRY NOTES.

By Tebroh.

The very full show report which is published this week should be found instructive by all who are interested in knowing not only the points which find favour with the judges, but by those who are continually asking where eggs and pullets from good strains can be obtained. The list of trophy winners should be cut from the paper and preserved, so that it can be referred to vvnen there is occasion to do so.

The poultry show was very poor numerically, as compared with previous years, and no doubt the war and .the consequent high price of food account for this; but as regards the quality, there was nothing but praise to be hoard. The silver Wyandotte classes were an object-lesson as to what the fancy can do in the course of time if it persistently works for an ideal. I have carefully criticised the exhibits of this breed from year to year for a very long time mow, and I have no hesitation in saying that never before has the Dunedin public had such an even and superior lot of birds placed before it. The worst bird would have been a prize-winner could it have been shown some few years back. _ ,The silver Wyandottes were not only uniformly wondefully laced (free from doubel lacing), but were typical of the brood into the bargain. At one time-it was thought that type and lacing could not bo combined; but time has proved this theory to be wrong. The bantams were also marvellously good, particularly the black rose-combed bantams; and as this breed is a purely fancy one it shows that the true fancy spirit is still to the fore. Two specimens of the silver grey Dorking attracted, I fancy, more attention than did any other individual exhibits. They were real beauties, and it is to be hoped that some at least of our Dunedin fanciers will be tempted to take up tlrs breed, for Dorkings are not only handsome, but fairly good layers, and as table birds they cannot be beaten unless it be by crosses of which their own blood, forms a part. I expect to have more about the show next week, as some reports have boon promised me. This week I must curtail my notes because of the long show report which appears below. The Tapanui Poultry and Produce Club’s schedule for their twenty-seventh annual show is to hand. By it I learn that Saturday, July 10, is the date fixed for the show, and that the club is fortunate in still having Mr A. Munyard to the fore as secretary. The club invites entries in all classes of feathered stock. —.Mr L. A. Sproscn is advertising his rose-combed black bantams for sale, and as they have for three years practically scooped the noo! in Dunedin and one year at Christchurch, it is evident that those desirous of taking a first position in this rising fancy have a splendid opportunity. I am sorry to know that Mr Sprosen, jun., has got tired of the fancy, as he was hard to satisfy, and consequently bid fair to become quite a strength to the local fancy. THE ASH AND PROTEIN FACTOR IN POULTRY-FEEDING. (By Prof. H. R. Lewis, Now Jersey Experiment Station.) Three extensive series of experiments carried on at the station as to the relation of ash and protein to broiler production, rearing of pullets, and egg-production, are summarised by the ai thor as follows : Protein from a vegetable source, even when accompanied by a high phosphoric acid content in the ration, is not an efficient method of providing protein when feeding growing chickens or laying flocks. The addition of animal protein in the form of meat scrap materially increases the efficiency of a ration relatively high in vegetable protein, both for egg-production and flesh growth. An increased consumption of nitrogen, occasioned by the addition of moat scrap, docs not cause increased loss of nitrogen in the droppings, the reverse, howeverbeing true. Phosphoric acid from an organic source (animal bone) is much more efficient than phosphoric acid from an inorganic source, as phosphate rock. Lime in itself has little or no effect upon increasing assimilation of nitrogen. Lime from hone is not as easily assimilated as lime from phosphate rock. This was verified in every instance, and the difference was very pronounced. From the standpoint of broiler production, from the standpoint of maturity, and from the standpoint of egg-production, moat sci'ap is a necessary adjunct to any ration. Dry granulated bone was found to ho a cheaper source of phosphoric acid and protein than a prepared commercial product, and was more efficient in poultry feeding. Laying hens fed a ration deficient in protein not only give- a low production, but the eggs which' are produced are small and undersized. A dry mash containing considerable variety and having 20 per cent, by weight of beef scrap, is an efficient foundation for a laying ration. For growing chicks, a dry mash, having tor its base wheat bran and containing by weight ai least 10 per cent, of meat scrap and 10 per cent, of granulated bone, is an efficient ration.