POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 63

POULTRY NOTES.

tjy IEKROK.

mention of the fact that a 200 to 300-cgg-a----voar hen was a modern production, the result of very few years’ breeding, and that it was produced from birds which for thousands of years had laid only 20 to 30 eggs a year each for productive purposes only The question asked is: Which is the greater influence—the influence of the few years of progress or the influence of the thousands of years behind ? I don t think many fanciers will bother to inflect upon the matter as a question at all. foi every breeder must realise that to maintain a laying strain there must be perpetual attention. One year’s inattention may mean a terrible fall in the laying power of a strain which : it has taken years to build up. Anyone who wishes to maintain a laying strain must every breeding season sec to it that the cockerel employed is the product of the best laving strain available bettor than his own, if possible. It must never be inferior. To introduce an inferior male bird into a pen of good laying hens may he compared with the letting go of a rone by one side in a tug-of-war competition' It is like giving up the game. Fanciers who realise that in creating a laying strain the tug backwards is so formidable may continue their efforts; those who don’t realise what is behind them may, by luck, progress for a year or two. but not much longer. The breeder for feather points has to fight just as fiercely against the pull of time as has the breeder for eggy*—Tha danger of inbreeding is much greater in present-day laying strains than formerly, as the founders of the present strains were limited to a few birds. Insufficient size and loss of constitution are to be noted in some high-grade layers, and great care must be taken if these defects are not to bo perpetuated. Marking of voung stock is absolutely necessary in some form°or other if the poultry-keeper wishes to make the business a success. Mr P. Omand is apparently intent upon maintaining his position as a first-ranker in the local poultry world. To strengthen his cockerel breeding pen he has bought a pullet from Mr Sowraan, of Piotou. and two from Mr J. FF. Hemsworth. of Paramata. In Mr Omand’s hands these birds, from well-known breeders, may bo relied upon to bn made the most of. Another hint one often secs is; “Yon can’t make a profit with an overcrowded yard.” I am not going to deny this, but X wish to point out that, it all depends upon circumstances. What do you understand by the word “yard” in relation to fowls? T know a man who keeps about 50 fowls in a very small yard; but his house and nesting accommodation are ample. When I told him his yard was too small, ho said; “No; the yard is right enough. I be-

lieve in domesticated poultry. I tnink they lay better than wild ones, and birds get wild if given too much range. Well on in tho afternoon, when they have laid all their eggs, I let them out to range as they like till roosting-tirae, and as they have little time to spare, they forage the best they can. I have tried other methods, and this one pays me beat.” I may add that this man’s yard never got soured, because it was a moveable one. Every two weeks he shifted it, and could do so without moving the house. After four shifts of the yard fencing the house, being built upon sleds, was shifted a few feet. This man made money out of his fowls, and said they paid him better than did his cows. I said above that ho crowded 50 hens in a yard. I may now add that he had several “ yards ” similarly crowded. Exercise is a most important factor in promoting good health, and should never be lost sight of. Fowls must exercise, or they will become fat and their muscles atrophied. Fat and flesh are. not the same thing. Some fat is essential to health; but a very fat fowl is never a healthy one. Proper exercise helps the fowls to keep up in flesh and muscle and to burn up any surplus fat. Tho healthy fowl will hold its weight, allowing for slight variations at different seasons. Lack of exercise tends to divert the digested food from flesh-forming and tho development of eggs, and turn it to fat-making. For some reason food seems to be disposed of more readily in storage of fat than for the purpose for which we intend it. If wo fail to supply a sufficient incentive to proper exercise, we are almost certain to defeat our purpose in feeding. Sluggishness begets laziness; exercise begets activity, and activity is necessary. Tho New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s eleventh egg-laying competition— April, 1915, to May 31, 1916. six hens to a pen—completed its twenty-fifth week on September 28 as follows; Heavy breeds: 1. E. Willis, New Brighton (B.O.) .. .. 650 2. Cooper & Wainscott, Spreydon (R.1.E.) 567 3. W. L. Walker, Linwood (B.O.) .. .. 541 4. W. Bloomfield, Auckland (B.O.) .. .. 535 Light breeds: 1. Jack Green, St. Albans (W.L.) .. .. 593 2. Glencoe Poultry Ranch, Karori (W.L.) 591 3. Waikato Egg Farm, Hamilton (W.L.).. 576 4. Dalmuir P. Yards, Waltham (W.L.) .. 573 5. A. G. Brailey, Hillmorton (W.L.).. .. 668 6. Verral Bros., Swannanoa (8.L.) .. .. 563 7. H. S. Woodnorth, Winton (W.L.).. .. 560 Indian runner ducks; 1. W. Knight, Hutt .. 605 2. Glencoe Ranch, Karori 564 The 49 pens in the light breeds (294 birds) have laid a total of 23,959 eggs; the 11 pens of heavy breeds (66 birds) have laid 5025 eggs; and the Indian runner ducks (eight pens, 43 birds) have laid 3385 eggs. NEW ZEALAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION. NEW RULESt The constitution states that the association shall consist of affiliated associations, egg circles, societies, clubs, and individuals having for their object the promotion of the poultry industry in New Zealand, and the objects and powers of the association are: (a) To encourage and promote the interests of tne poultry industry in general. (b) To hold conferences at least annually, print and circulate reports, and solicit Government assistance for and on behalf of all matters pertaining to the poultry industry. (c) To encourage the breeding, exhibiting, and proper markct.ng of poultry and poultry products. ~ (d) To encourage the adoption ot uniform standards. (e) To organise and promote a bureau ot, lecturers qualified to deliver addresses on the aims and objects of the association, and to issue certificates thereto authorising them to announce themselves as members of the New Zealand Poultry Association Bureau of Lecturers; and that a central bureau be established to collect records of experiments and investigations, and that oulletins he printed and issued. (f) To make and interpret rules and regulations for controlling and carrying out all or any of the objects of the association. . (<>■) To expend the funds of tne association, to incur such liability on behalf of the association, and to apportion the funds as it may think expedient. (h) From time to time to delegate to the Executive Board hereinafter constituted any of the powers vested in it by these rules, or by any rules and regulations for the time being of this association. The officers of the association shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents, secretary-treasurer, auditor, adviser, and an Executive Board of five members, and shall be elected at tho annual conference. Rule 7 provides for the basis of representation of delegates to be as follows: Poultry associations, egg circles, societies, ana clubs with a membership of 30 or less, one delegate; over 30 members, two delegates. Rule 19 states that tho Executive Board shall have power: — (a) To carry out any business delegated to it by the committee of the association by virtue of the rules and regulations for tho time being of the association. (b) To advise affiliated poultry associations, egg circles, clubs, societies, or active members on any matter that may arise between the mootings of tho association. (c) To expend funds and settle all current liabilities of the association. (d) To interpret the rules and regulations of the association and deal with any unforeseen difficulty which may arise, and which is not provided for by these rules, but subject to revision by the association at the annual meeting of the association. Rule 23 states that the advisor shall be a position to foe filled by the Chief Government Poultry Instructor, which shall entitle him to all the rights and privileges of membership. Ho shall give the association such advice and assistance as occasion may offer, and shall have tho power to relegate to one of his his position on the executive of the hoard in tho event of his absence.