POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 53

POULTRY NOTES.

Bv Teerok

This year's Duncdin Fanciers' Show promises to be a record as regards entries, so far as the experience of quite a number of years is concerned. The total entry money last year lor all classes, including clogs, was £ll3. This year it amounts to the satisfactory figure of £193. '1 his year's increase is largely duo to the fact that it h a championship show for poultry; but the interest manifested in the utility classes has a good deal to do with it. For instance, in the white Leghorn utility classes the single-combed cockerels entered number 23, as against about six in the corresponding fancy class. Keen competition may bo expected in some of the fancy classes, particularly in Wyanclottes and Bantams, for I learn that entries arc made from leading men up north, who arc eager to try conclusions with the Dunedin fanciers. About £SO worth of birds, chiefly Orpingtons and Rhode Island Keels, were purchased at good prices at Messrs lieilly and Gill's sale last week. From 10s to £1 and more were secured for many oi ttie birds. Tho prices given arc evidence that when stock is' guaranteed first class there is no difficulty in gelling rid of it profitably ; and it should be an encouragement to fanciers to breed such, rather than poorer stuff, which costs just as much to feed and produces less. I learn that the Otago Egg Circle is making members fairly well, and will soon be a recognised factor in the market. There are, however, tho usual numb.'i' of shirkers (!) —i.e.: producers who are prepared to wait and watch events. If the pioneers can make a good start —i.e.: safely survive the initial risks of tho new venture —the shirkers may bo relied upon to come in and share the good things which are bound to follow. If tho pioneers, on the other hand, have a bad time- owing chiefly to the opposition made possible by the said shirkers sending their eggs through the usual hundred and one channels, then the said shirkers will exclaim, "I told you so." If those who are holding aloof from tho circle would only realise that it is only by concentration of effort and direction that egg-producers can achieve the best results possible to them, they would certainly join the circle at once, so that a single agent should regulate prices. The New Zealand Utility , Poultry Club's twelfth egg-laying competition for light-breed fowls, lor the r*>nth week ended June 20 shows that the following are tho leading pens: 1. Dalmuir P. Yards (Waltham), W.L. .. 262 2. A. E. Phillips (St. Albans;. W.L,. .. 256 3. Calcler Bros. (Oamaru), W.L 253 4. Master Jack Green (St. Albans), W.L. 246 5. Verral Bros. (Swannanoa), B.L 214 15. Mrs J. Mills (Wcodhaugh). W.L 233 7. A. Eaton (St. Albans).' W.L 237 There are 49 pens (2SI birds) in this competition, and tne total number of eggs laid to elate is 932. I?i the third heavy brood contest the leading pens are : 1. Miss E. Willis (Shirley), 8.0 237 2. Miss J. James (Scckburo), 8.0 232 2. T. E. Conway (Kirwee), 8.0 232 3. J. Nancarrow (Burwood), 8.0 210 There are 11 pens (66 birds) in this competition, consisting of two pens of 'white VVyandottes-, one pen Plymouth Bocks, one Rhode island Beds, live black Orpingtons, and two silver Wyandottcs. To date tho total eggs laid is 1624. First single-pen contest: 1. Mrs J. Mil's (Duncdin). W.L 57 2. A. S. Cooper (Spreydon), R.I.R 56 3. lb If. James (Marshlands), W.L. .. 55 4. Caidei Bros. (Oainaru), W.L. .. .. C2 There arc II birds entered —viz., two Rhode Island Reds and 12 white Leghorns. The 14 birds have laid 569 eggs to date Seventh duck tost: 1. Heretaunga Poultry Co. (Silverstreain) 265 2. 11. VV. Bower (Levin) 258 3. \V. Knight (Lower Hntt) .. ~ .. 90 Indian runners only are competing, and there arc only three pons entered. Tlio total laid to elate is 613 eggs. lieilly, Gill, and Co. ivpori that consignments of ordinary poultry were', short of requirements. For any good lilies of poultry in fair condition payable prices were secured, poulterers finding it extremely difficult to secure their supplies. We had a special attendance of I he public on Wednesday, owing to the fact that we were selling bv auction some special pons of black Orpington and Rhode island 'Red pullets and cockerels, also white Leghorns. Buyers were represented from Waimatc and Invercargill. We placed privately a number of wdiite Leghorns pullet's from 10s to 12s 6d each, anel cockerels from 7s 6d to 21s each. Particulars of Wednesday's sale: —Rhode Island Red and black Orpington pullets and cockerels —one at 7s, eight at lis, four at; 7s 6d. five at lis 6d, Bs, 14 at 12s, 10- at c's sd. one at 13s, 31 at 9s, one at 16s, three at 9s 6d, one at 235, 22 at Kte. Ordinary weekly sale prices: Pullets—three at 2s 9d, six at 3s 3cF, four at 4a; cockerels—two at 3s 9d, nine at

3s 4d(, two at 3s, three at 2s 6d; hens—--20 at Is lOd, four at 2s, 10 at 2s 3d, 20 at 2s sd, six at 2s lid, six at 3s; cocks—one at is 6d, three at 2s, one at 2s 6d; duckseight at 3s 6d, one at 3s, seven at 3s 3d; geese—three at 3s 3d. EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. The secretary of the Southland Egg-lay-ing Competition reports the result for the eleventh week ending Juno 20th as follows : White Leghorns.— p on Grand ]\'o. Daily laying. Total.

Campincs.— 17 lb Dunfop 2321335—21 137 Columbian Wyandottcs.— 4 Mrs J. Mills .. .. 1011101— 5 20 White Plymouth Rocks.— 14 T. E. Davis .. .. 1202112—9 163 Black Orpingtons. — 37 R. Ferguson- .. .. 5544353—29 257 20 J. H. Hurrell .. .. 1322211—12 115 895 &017 * One bird dead; five in pen. THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS OF THE FOWL. Tho majority of the ailments from which poultry suffer are duo directly or indirectly to wrong systems of feeding, which set up indigestion and cause the blood to be filled with impurities which show their symptoms in external eruptions, and at other times by liver complaint and other internal ailments. The digestive process of a fowl is carried on in all its various stages in one clearly defined passage;- known as the "alimentary canal," which runs right through the; body. It begins with the mouth, through which the food first enters, passing clown the gullet, or oesophagus, the' pipe from the mouth into the crop. In the crop tho food receives its first preparation; glands secrete the fluid to mix with tho food, and soften it ready for further treatment in the gizzard. From the crop the food passes through the organ known as the proventricle, which it is not necessary to notice here. Then it enters the gizzard, where it is treated by the digestive fluid proper, and through which its assimilable portions nasi into tho blood, tha waste portions going on to 'die intestines, which on the; average are lour or five feet in length, opening into what is known as the cloaca, whence tho waste products arc discharged through the vent. We must also notice the functions ol tho liver and kidneys The former has an important function to perform in producing an alkaline fluid, termed "bile," which is stored up in the gall bladder until it is required for tho digestion of the fatty portions of the food, which under its action become divided very minutely—emulsified, in fact: —and the latter, the kidneys, constitute the machinery by which the impurities of the blood are cast out. It will be scon from this that the poultrykeeper needs to be particularly careful to see that his poultry have a sufficiency of the right type of food without being either overfed or underfed. It anything, overfeeding is worse than underfeeding, because fowls which are overfed will not be productive, but, on the other hand, may be' liable to illness which underfed fowls would escape. One of the great secrets hi properly feeding poultry is to see' that they have plenty of suitable grit, which is absolutely ncev sary for digesting their food. If they do not have a proper supply of this they will quickly develop liver complaint anel all its attendant evils. With regard to what are the most suitable foods, it is important to recognise that where poultry-keepers most frequently make a mistake is in giving too much carbonaceous or starchy food, such as rice- or maize. These should only be given in cold, wet weather and on particular occasions, such as whilst the moult is on. because they arc entirely heat-producing, and if given in excess their effect is to cause sluggishness of the liver, and this prevents the due digestion of the food, and so may very well end in disaster. On tho other hand, both for growth of frame and for egg-production poultry need food which is rich in nitrogen. Good, round, stout oats anel wheal and bailey and buckwheat are the grain richest in nitrogen, if we exclude peas and beans, which can only be given to poultry in the form of meal. A little pea or bean m.'al added to the soft food each day will increase the amount e)f nitrogen, and will thus make a great improvement) to ordinary meals ar.el sharps. Aiso. see that tho poultry have a sufficiency of uncooked green food, lie-cause plant life is largely built up of nitrogen, and it is therefore, important to let poultry have plenty of fresh green food, which keeps the system healthy, and is a great aid lo durestion. Tf these principles be attended to, fowls will bo much more' productive and less |j :l bh to disease, because their digestive organs" will always 'remain in a healthy state. TAIKRI POULTRY SOCIETY, ANNUAL SHOW. The twenty-seventh annual show of the Taieri Poultry Society was held in tho Coronation Hall at r.losg : cl on Saturday afternoon and evening, and proved a source of much interest to fanciers from near and

far. The display was a very comprehensive one and the breeders of the district are to be complimented on the high allround quality of their exhibits. 'ilia entries showed a considerable improvement over those of last year, and this, it is worthy to note, was most marked in the utility poultry. Competition was not particularly keen in most of the remaining classes, and it is rather a pity that the club's efforts do not meet with belter support in these directions. The judges were Air C. J. Cusson (a Government poultry expert) and Mr John Taylor (of Milton), the former judging the utility classes and the latter the remaining sections Leghorns. Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, and Minorcas were the breeds that came under the notice of Mr Cussen, and he stated that some very good birds were shown, especially among the Leghorns, which were a class. In all the sections some of the birds would have scored better if they had been shown in better condition. The judge expressed his preference for fowls that were well filled out in front, and based his awards on this principle, which he considers is an important factor in utility poultry. There were some pood birds shown in the breeding classes, the silver Wyandottes being of particularly high standard and showm~ some splendid lac:ng. 801110 nice brown Leghorns were also exhibited, but the Minorcas were, in the opinion of the judge, only a fair lot. Canaries and pigeons made a good showing, and the children's classes were very well filled.

Mr S. C. Rusbatch's trophy, valued at £2 2s. for the competitor gaining the most points in the utility classes, was won by Levis Walton with 7 points. It. 11. Thomson was second with 6 points. The show was well managed in all its particulars, the bulk of the work devolving upon the secretary (Mr W. E. M'Lean) and Mr P. C. Sinclair (vice-president). The following is the pri/.j list:— POULTRY. BREEDING CLASSES. Judge: Mr J. Taylor (Milton). Minorca hen (three entries) —T. Lecdham 1 and 2, R. M'Cann 3; Minorca cockerel (four entries) —W. M'Lcod 1 and special, J. Fleming 2; Minorca pullet (three entries) —W. M'Lcod 1 and special and 3, L. Irvine 2; Rhode Island red cockerel (two entr:os)—T. li. Dalton 1, G. Williams 2; Rhode Island red pullet (three entries) — T. H Dalton 1 and special, G. Willaims 2, P. Bathgate 3: Andalusian hen (two entries)— T. H. Dalton 1, P. M'Killop 2; brown Leghorn In 11 (two entries) —W. 0 Hendry 1. J. A. Crawford 2: brown Leghorn cockerel (two entries) —W. C. Hendry 1. special, ami 2; brown Leghorn pullet (one entry)—W. C. Hendry 1; silver "Wyandotte cock (two entries)—J. B. White 1, P. Carolin 2; silver Wyandotte hen (two entries)—,!. 13. White" 1 and 2; silver Wyandotte cockerel (two entries)—J. B. White i, P. Carolin 2; silver Wyandotte pullet (four entries) —J. B. White' 1, P. Carolin 2 and 3; black Orpington cock (one entry)— .J. Anderson 1: black Orpington hen (one entry)—W. C. Hendry 1 and special; black Orpington cockerel (one entry)—Miss J. C. O'Leary 1: buff Orpington cock (one entry) .—R. Chalmers 1; buff' Orpington pullet (one entry)—R. Chalmers 1; any other'• varietv purebred cock (one entry)—Mrs P. Murdoch 1: crossbred cock or cockerel (one entry)—A. Inirie 1; crossbred hen or pullet (lour entries)—J. Fleming 1, A. Imrie 2arid GAME 'BAMTAMS. Black-and-red hen (one entry)—Edward Bills 1; black-and-rcd cockerel (one entry) E. Bills 1; black-and-red pullet (one entry) —E. Bills 1; pile cockerel (one entry)— Glondininjr and Brown 1; duckwing hen (one entry)—E. Bills 1. BAXTAMH (3TOT GAME). Sebright silver pullet (one entry)—Glendining and Brown 1; black rose comb coc-ke-ol (one entry)—Glendining and Brown 1 ; black roscoomb pullet (one entry)—Glendining and Brown 1. DUCKS, ETC. Pair of Pekin ducks (otic entry)—L. G. Marwick 1 ; Indian Runner drake (two entries)—Mrs P. Murdoch 1. G. 11. Craig ?.; Indian Runner duck (two entries) —W Hughes 1, Mrs P Murdoch 2; pair of turkeys (three entries) —Ci Findlay 1 and 2. Mrs p. Murdoch 3. SELLING CLASSES. Any variety, hen or pullet, selling price £1 (two entries)—H. M'Lcod 1, Mrs P. Murdoch 2: any variety, cook or cockerel, price 20; (one entry)—R. Smeaton 1; any variety, hen or pullet, price 10s (one entry;—A.' Murdoch 1; purebred birds, price not to exceed ss, open to club members only (two entries) —R. Smeaton 1 and 2. UTILITY CLASSES. Judgj: Mr C. J. Cussen, Government Poultry Instructor. Breeding pen, heavy, four bird:-, three hens or pullets with cock or cockerel (three entries) —T. Smeaton 1, R. Smeaton 2, R. Aitken 5; breeding pen, light, four birds .(five onirics)—las White 1, Mrs P. F. Bennett 2, A. Murdoch 5; any variety. heavy, cocker;- 1 , {six entries)—George Ili'l! 1, D. Findlay 2. Wilson and Anthony 3; .any variety, heavy hen (five entries) —J. M : Gcttigan 1, R.' 11. Thomson 2, Peter Bathgate 3; any variety, heavy pullet (six entries)—l). Findlay 1, Peter Bathgate 2. R. IT. Thomson 3; white Leghorn, light cock Levi:-, Walton 1; H. M'Leod 2. L. G. Marwick 3-, white Leghorn, light cockerel (12 entries)—A. Pedofsky 1 and 2. Levis Walton 3; white Leghorn, light hen (10 entries) —R. II Thomson 1, Peter Bathgate 2. J. Cnrric 3; white Leghorn, light pullet (22 entries)--Levis Walton 1, A. Murdoch 2, ili-s P. F. Bennett 3 ; any other variety leghorn. Jight hen (one entry)—G. IL Craig 2; any other, variety Leghorn, light pullet (ono entry) —D. Connor 1: Minorca cock or cockerel (one entry)—Wilson and Anthonv 3; Minorca hen or pullof (one entry—Wilson and Anthony ]. XOYJCK CLASSES. (Selling price under 10s.) Judge: Mr J. Taylor, Milton. White Lccrhorn, cock or cockerel (one entry)—Mis J. Strnchan 1; whir:' Leghorn. hen or pullet (one entry)—ll. G Marwick 1. PTGEONS. BOYS' CLASSES. Judge: Mr J. Taylor. Milton. Any variety of fancy pigeon (one ontrj)—Ernest Robert 1; working homer, coek, any age (one entry)—-Ernest Roberts VA ! RS CLASS. Cock- and hen of anv fancy breed (one entry)—Ernest Roberts 1. WOttKIXG IIOAfEK CLASSES. Flying homer, cock, certified to have flown 100 miles or over (one entry)—J. W. Goodman 1: flying homer, cock, certified to have flown 5-0 miles or over, tinder one year (one entry)—J. W. Goodman 1; 'lying homer cook, most likely cock (one entry) T t W. Goodman 1.

CAGE BIRDS. Unflighted or Breeders' Classes. (Judge: Mr J. Taylor, Milton.) Norwich, plainhead, clear yellow. Two entries—J. M'Farlane 1, A. M'Knight 2: Norwich, plainhead, ticked or variegated, yellow- (one entry)—J. M'Farlane 1; Norwich, plainhead, ticked or variegated, buff (one entry)—J. M'Farlane 1 ; Norwich hen. clear, ticked, or variegated, yellow (one entry)—J. M'Farlane 1: Norwich hen, clear, ticked, or variegated, buff (one entry)--A. M'Knight lj Norwich, crest, any colour (one entry)—A. M'Knight 1. OPEX CLASSES. Norwich, plainhead, clear yellow (two entries)—A. M'Knight 1, Miss A. VI. Smellie 2: Norwich, plainhead, ticked, yellow (two entries) —J. M'Farlane 1 and 2; Norwich, plainhead, clear buff (one cntrv)—A. M'Knight, Norwich, plainhead, lightly variegated, buff (one entry)—J. M'Farlane 1 ; Norwich, plainhead, ticked or varicgatec (one entry.—A. M'Knight 1: Norwich, plain head, clear buff (one entry)—A. M'Knight 1; Norwich, plainhead, ticked or variegated (two entries) —J. J. M'Farlane 1 and 2; green, yellow, or foul yellow (one entry] —A. M'Knight 1; groin, buff, e\r foui buff (one entry)—A. M'Knight 1; selling class, pair of canaries, any variety, prion not to exceed £1 (0110 entry) —A. M'Knight. CHILDREN'S PETS. (For compelitiors under 16 years of age.) (Judge: Mr J. Taylor," Milton.) Short-haired oat (two entries) —Gordon Murdoch-1, Jas. Wright 2; bantam, cock or cockerel, any variety (nine entries) —Ken Brown 1. Bill Brown 2. Willie Fogo 5; bantam, hen or pullet, any variety (11 en-tries)-A. Warwick 1, Ken Brown 2, Bill Brown 3; guinea pig. long Lair, any colour (three entries)—-Lyall Swallow 1, Vera Magec 2 and 5; hedgehog (one entry)—Sinclair Munro lj pair of pigeons (two entries) Kmest Roberts 1, Conn.'ll Gawn 2; rabbit (three entries)—Keith Cough 1, Melville Bathgate 2, William F. Bennett 3: French rabbit (four,.,, entries) —K. B. M'Killop 1, Norman Oliver 2, D. Dyer 3; pigeons (one entry)—Ridley Steele 1. In the evening Mr Cussen addressed u large gathering of fanciers and others on many different aspects of poultry-keeping, cove-ring a great deal 01 ground and convoying much useful information to ,his hearers both in the course of ins address ad in reply to 1 large number of iiucstions. Mr A. F. Quelch (Mayor) presided, and on his motion a hearty vole el thanks to Mr Cussen was carried unanimously.

2 J. Stevens 5415534--27 3H 31 John Dowdall 8343432--22 324 35 Enterprise P. Farm 5255626--31 814 o g Miss Sutherland 6553615--34 307 !) Mrs Gorinski 4424524--25 280 5 C. Cvichton .. .. 2434534--25 286 21 Ranginru Egg Eanch 8433443--24 281 3-2 James Strang 3234332--20 27G 34 J. His'op 6343355--28 270 2:i J. J. Schultz .. .. 4665356--35 205 28 K. Finlayson 4224328--20 251 13 J. B. Merrott .... 3444366--30 210 30 Rillstone and Da vies. 6425534--29 236 25 H. Woodnorth .. .. 4314333--21 232 3G Tracy King 4423444--25 227 12 W. Hamilton 4515244--25 222 6 S. L. Beer 4643564--32 220 8 C. Clayton 2354244--24 213 20 E. Orme 2433433--22 203 7 J. Thomson 3534344--26 206 20 Green Bros. 3535545--30 . 100 10 Enterprise P. Farm. 2143144--19 1SS 3H C. Warburton 5351545— -28 186 11 James Ireland .. 1212011- - 8 174 21 T. E. Davis .. .. 6335352--27 173 27 H. Fortune 2311422--15 163 15 C. Malheson 1221221--11 164 33 J. Stevens 4 112315--26 161 1 R. Rosa 4552365--30 141 19 R. W. Hawk© .. .. 5233132--19 141 18 C. Raines 4132333--10 136 16 J. Strang 5645355--33 121 3 Mrs 2264444--20 K'S