POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 53

POULTRY NOTES.

By TeEHOB

Mr E. Parkins, Beach road, Ashburton, has imported from Mr Bradley (England) a trio of brown. Leghorns. The cockerell is described as a good show specimen, and the pullets are for cockerel breeding. Mr J. Gumming, of Sydenham, Christchurch, has imported a high-class Minorca pullet from Home, and intends to exhibit it at Dunedin. In the opinion of judges, the local Minorca breeders will have to look to their laurels. Mr Turner, of Ravensbournc, has procured from Mr Gumming a very nice trio of Minorcae. They are described as handsome birds, but leggy. It is just as well to mention this, as the trend is now to recover the utility type. When the war is over, and the Germans once more seek trade with New Zealand, it is vqry likely that they will attempt to introduce some of the substitutes for ordinary food which are already being experimented with on the constitutions of their own people. it has been discovered that proteids can bo obtained for human consumption from straw, sawdust, and sewerage ; and —this is of special interest to pouitrymen—a Dr Alvis Walz, of Graz, has produced a new process for making synthetic eggs! lie has been able to extract the albumen contained in the blood of bullocks, sheep, pigs, and other animals slaughtered lor human consumption, and to piesent it in such form that it has no trace of its origin,. either in taste or smell. As prepared by Dr Waiz"s system, it is a coarse, yellow powder, to which he has given the name oi hsematalb. His process has already been applied in a number of German and Austrian abattoirs, and hajmatalb is in use in many hospitals of the Central Empires as a substitute for eggs. It dissolves in water, and can also be used in the preparation of pastry and other dishes. Testimonials from doctors and nurses give evidence of its value as a nourishing food. Does this toll the knell of the hen as an egg-producer. I trow not. We have heard of these egg _ substitutes before; but (says an English scribe) "what can exceed for sheer enjoyment the dainty smash of the egg-spoon upon the shell, the sily levering of the top, and the uprooting of yolk and white of the really fresh egg at the" breakfast table? Synthetic eggs! fiddlefaddle." —With regard to the consignments of Chinese eggs now being dumped here and elsewhere, it is interesting to read that "these eggs grow more and more poisonous and bitter until they reach a maximum, after which —and no scientists have yet told us why—they ripen like cheese, until finally their smeil becomes appetising instead of offensive, and—experto crede —the egg is delicious and wholesome." The monthly meeting of the Canterbury Egg Circle Committee was held on Saturday, the 6th inst. The report for April showed a largo increase over the supplies of last year, and prices showed a better average. It was reported that the supply of eggs was insufficient for the demand, but the action of the agent in keeping the price at 2s 3d for first grades and 2s for second grades was endorsed, and he was instructed not to raise the price above these figures, even though the demand might warrant it. Members agreed that high prices resulted in a decreased consumption, and a speedy drop in the market, as well as an inducement for foreign eggs to come in. Dr J. Henry Orawshaw, Kaiapoi, extended an invitation to all poultry men to attend the field day at his farm on the following Saturday, when the Government poultry experts will give addresses. It was agreed to hold open meetings monthly, and a syllabus was drawn up for the next six months. Producers agreed that there would be an increased production of eggs next year in consequence of the cheapening of foods. The daily cry is for economy! Surely it is true economy to keep a pen or flock of fowis, who can so easily convert refuse food—generally wasted, burnt, or consigned to the dust bin—into delicious new-laid eggs, which medical science has proved are always worth their price, and contain more nutriment than the same weight of lean meat, whilst its constituents are invaluable for human life and health. True patriotism demands that all poultry-keepers (not in khaki or on munitions) should give publicity to the fact that money invested in a pen of prolific hens from a pedigree utility strain increases productiveness. Every opportunity should be taken to proclaim oublicly and privately that the hen well bred and properly fed is the best of profit-earners, and that, in addition to being a food producer, the hen will, when properly mated, soon liberally increase its species at little expense or trouble. The scientific breeding of poultry demands closer attention in the future. Geese require very little attention in feeding if they are given a good run in a pasture. They are readily fattened if given a little grain each day in addition to their pasturage. When it is required to fatten them the feeding of green vegetables to which has been added equal parts of corn meal, bran, and ground oats to make the whole mash light and crumbly, should fatten them in three weeks. The breeding geese should not be over-fat. They do better on pasture, and once per day a feed of whole grain (preferably oats) may be given. They shouM bo craven all the drinkhie water they require, and during: the mating season should b© provided with a pool or stream of water de r p enough for swimming. An interesting sidelight is thrown upon a question which has agitated readers lately liv a report which comes from Mi c «ouri — whore the layinp competitions are held. Tn order to '•et an idea of the standing in the show arena of breeders who had hinrh-pro-ducmg hens in the contest, an inquiry was instituted among the contestants whose birds produced 200 eges or over. Ft was discovered that the 60 breeders whose records were put in evidence had won l 5 0? prizes nmnne; them, and that many of the hens which won in the egg-laying eontost won prizes in shows befovp and after the contest —the shows at which these birds

won including San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. From San Francisco a pair of highclass Rhode Island Reds have arrived in Sydney to the order of Mr J. F. Dalrymplu, of the Loloma Farm. They ara from the yards of Mr Lester Tompkins, Concord, Mass., U.S.A. —Mr Gardner Corning, the proprietor cf the Corning Egg Farm, New Jersey, U.S.A (one of the most practical as well as one of the largest egg- producers), alter feeding mustard to hOOO laying hens for three successive seasons, writes: '"The egg production has increased very materially; the percentage of fertility has run considerably higher; the germs have been strong, largo, hatchable germs, and the resulting chicks have come into existence with a jump, and, where they have been properly handled, have rapidly grown into sturdy youngsters. A heaped teaspoonful for every six birds is a daily allowance. It should be thoroughly mixed with the meal whilst in a dry condition. A good-sized hen's egg (says "Chanticleer") weighs about 2oz, and is composed as follows:—64- parts water, 25 parts albumen, 11 parts oil and salts, and 10 parte shell and mineral matter. The shell of a hen's egg is composed principally of carbonate and phosphate of lime; the egg itself containing, in addition to the albumen, sulphur, oil, phosphorus, iron, etc. The fowl, unless it can obtain an abundance of natural food, should have plenty of meat included in her daily food. Tn fart. whilst I admit grain in moderation will benefit fowls, it will be found tuat ssoit food in some form is a necessity for prolific eggproduction and nutritious eggs. Further, there must be a variety of foods to ensure eggs and promote health. ■ —There is always a danger at a time like the present, when poultry feeding' stuffs are in greater demand for other purposes, and are consequently high in price, that many poultry-keepers may be disposed to decrease the sizo of their flocks and restrict their operations in this direction. The Board of Agriculture (England) says: "Such action would be against the best interests of both the individual and the nation, since the greater the amount of human food produced in this country the stronger will bo our position. 13. making use of coarser foods than are usually employed, tho cose of feeding can be considerably reduced, whereas the yield need not fall off to any appreciable extent." The New Zealand Poultry Club'e twelfth egg-laying competition reports for the fourth week ending May 9: —Heavy breeds: Miss J. James (Sockburn), six black Orpingtons, leading with 101 eggs; Mr J. Nancarrow, of Burwood, with a pen of the same breed, scoring 83. The next highest in this class is Miss E. Willis (Shirley), with 63. The 11 pens in the heavy breeds have laid to date a total of 413. In the first single pen test run by the club there are 14 entries-—two of Rhode Island Reds and 12 of white Leghorns. Miss A. S. Cooper's R.H.R.'s have laid 23, and Galder Bros.' (Oaxnaru) white Leghorns the S&OUt number. Tho total for the 14 birds in thia section is 201. There are only three entries of six birds each in the Indian runner section, and the pen entered by the Hcretaunga Poultry Company (Siiverstream) leads with 93. "There are 49 entries of six: birds each in tho light breeds competition—viz., two of brown Leghorns •-- ' 47 of white Leghorns. The highest - so far (four weeks) is 115 eggs laid by the white Leghorns from the Dalmuir Poultry Yards, Waltham, and Mr E. P. Aymes, Papanui holds second position with 110. The total eggs laid in this section during the term under report is 2808. Messrs Reilly, Gill, and Co. report: " We have pleasure in reporting an advance in price for all lines sold at our sale on Wednesday. Poultry is short of requirements, and good table birds are wanted. High prices are assured. Hens for laying purposes are meeting a keener demand, and there is every appearance of prices improving for all lines. cons : gnments being short of requirements. Detailed list is given below. Pullets. —We have an order for 150 white Leghorn pullets. Anyone having any good white Leghorn pullets for disposal would be well advised to communicate with us. Heavy cons : gnments of preserved eggs have been coming on to the market, and sales are rather slow, though prices show no material change. Stamped and guaranteed eggs are realising 2s 4d per dozen. We sold: Hens— 22 at Is 7d, 19 at Is 9d, 44 at Is 10d, 52 at Is lid, 15 at 2s, 13 at 2a 2d, 11 at 2s 3d, 18 at 2s 4d. Cockerels—--12 at Is Id, 14 at 2s 2d, 11 at 2s 3d. 11 at 2s 6d, 15 at 2s 9d. Cocks—l at Is sd, 11 at Is 6d, 11 at 2s. Ducks—3o at 2s 6d. Geese—26 at 3s 3d. Pullets—s at 3s 6d, 14 at 4s 6d, 16 at 5s 6d."