POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 51

POULTRY NOTES.

By Tkrkok

The secretary of the Otago Egg Circle., representing a largo number of producers in Otago and South Canterbury, has written to the Minister of Agriculture, asking him to confer with the Minister of Customs with a view to removing the present duty of lOd per bushel on wheat arriving from the commonwealth. The circle is paying 6s per bushel for fowl wheat, which is being used by millers in the absence of better quality. In view of the large; supplies in Australia, were the duty removed it could be landed here at 5s 8d per bushel. There is a possibility of a further rise in the near future, and perhaps a shortage at the coming harvest, as an outcomo of smaller areas sown. Tho letter stated that it something were not done a repetition of what happened in 1915 would occur—namely, a number of producers were compelled to relinquish business and others had to reduce their live ! stocks considerably. The Government has I been, and is, spending a fair amount of

money by way of instruction, etc , to no purpose if poultry farmers are to be driven out of business. Poultry raising was advocated as an occupation lor returned men, and the lolly ot placing those brave fellows m an unprofitable concern was apparent to anyone.

—lt is a mistake to ptish for egg's in the case of birds intended for next season's breeding pen. These birds should be separated lrom the regular laying stocs; and if tho change puts tnem oft' tho lay, so much the better, as the rest will enable them to build up and regain vigour. This rational treatment will mean strong chickens next year.

Jii respect to the male buds it is a good plan to iien away from the hens tnose winch are to be retained for breeding purposes, and to dispose- by sale or lor the table all surplus birds. When the male birds are full size, the sooner they arc disposed of the greater the profit. Adowed to live, they merely eat without increasing ir> value. The; exception, of course, u in respect to birds which may bring a nigh price as breeders; but even these may be retained too lono lor profit unless they are well tdvertised. It is surprising how negligent poultry people often are in regard to advertising. Many a good cockerel wor h £(Js or more has been killed and eaten because even near neighbours were unaware of its existence. A. shilling advertiscm nt (16 words) above; this column would save many iegrets. —lt is alleged that without liatciiable eggi and livable chickens, success in poultrv culture cannot be attained.

A Home authority on poultry-culture recommends the following as a good menu for laying hens:—One part each pea meal, maize bran, and bran, two parts ground oats, and four parts thirds. Bean meal could be used alternately with pea meal. During tne winter months some form of animal food, such as fish meal, meat meal, etc., should bo added. Grit, of course, must be supplied. _ The schedule for an Old Country Fanciers Show advises a class for "Rhode Highland reds!" Query: Is this a new bird of hardy Scottish . type? The Feathered World asks the question. Birds that are through .their moult should be well looked after, and a dose of tonic or a little extra meat each day will do much towards bringing them into good condition again. Those that are slow in casting their feathers should be given some cod liver oil capsules, extra meat and new wheat, and have protection against dampness and cold winds: being out in the cold and damp is bad in cases of protracted moult.

Pullets may now bo encouraged to lay by giving food of it more nourishing nature, and some cooked meat or other form of animal food. A winter ration should eontain not less than 10 per cent, animal food to make up for the loss of insect life, for food of this description is necessary. Charcoal is a great cleanser of thedigestive system. A good way to give it is pulverised and mixed with the mash. About this time of the year, with the change to winter conditions, see to it that the birds <ret charcoal; it will help the sluggish and prevent disease. —At this time of the year many people are buying birds, male or female, for new blood. Never introduce such a bird into your flock until it has been put in quarantine for a few days. Disease has often been introduced into a flock by neglecting this precaution.

—At times, when preparing for some special show, it may be necessary to feed specially to bring out some particular feature. For instance, the body may be fully developed, and in a state of matured feather, but the comb has not come out to its fullest extent. In that case a few clays' penning will be of assistance, and if to the feeding a little well-cooked meat is added when mixing for the morning feea, and at intervals of a, day or two a few small pieces of raw meat are given at midday, with an occasional feed of sweetened bread and milk, a great, change will hi noticed in a week's time or so. Sometimes the colour may be of the best, but the sheen not come out. To the ordinary meals mix some well-boiled linseed, gruel as well, in which it has been cooked; then, if more liquid is needed, make it up with milk; you will soon draw out all the depth of colour that the bird possesses. To this can be added a little sugar and a small quantity of canary seed now and then, both of which will assist the linseed in strengthening the colour already there and putting on a bloom that will help the bird to victory. Tho New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's twelfth egg-laying competition for lightbreed fowls for the thirty-fifth week ended December 12 shows that tho following arc the leading pens: — 1. Mrs J. Mills (Woodhaugh), W.L. .. 1078 2. J. Nanearrow (Burwood), "VV.L. .. 1020 3. Master Jack Green (St. Albans). W.L. 1013 4. Calder Bros. (Oamaru), W.L 1003 5. Rangiuru Egg Ranch (Otaki), W.L. .. 994 6. Calder Bros. No. 2, W.L 986

There arc 49 pens (204 birds) in this competition, and the total number of eggs laid to date is 43.984.

In the third heavy-breed contest the leading pens are: 1. T. E. Conway (Kirwe-e), 8.0 96-5 2. J. Nanearrow (Burwood), 8.0 887 3. C. J. Norton (Ashbnrton), 8.0 856 4. Mrs J. James (Soekburn), 8.0 850 5. T. Dowthwaito (Avondale), S.W. .. 836 0. Miss E. Willis (Shirley), 8.0 833

There are 11 pens (66 birds) in this competition, consisting of two pens of white Wyandottcs. one pen Plymouth Rocks, one Rhode Island rods, five black Orpingtons, and two silver Wvandottes. To elate the total eggs laid is ' 8924. First single-pen contest:— 1. Mrs J. Mills (Dunedin), W.L 193 2. R. H. James (Marshlands), W.L. .. 190 3. Calder Bros. (Oaniaru). "W.L 188 4. TV. Davey (Wellington), W.L 181

There are 14 birds entered —viz., two Rhode Island reds and ]2 white Leghorns. The 14 birds have laid 2130 eggs to date. 1. W. Bower (Levin) .. .. ,-.1184 2. Heretnunga Poultry Co. (Silverstream) 102 J 3. W. Knight (Lower ITutt) 007

Indian runners only are competing, and there are only three pons entered. The total laid to date is 3120.

Messrs Fraser and Co. report on behalf of the Otago Egg Circle eggs:—"The market is over-supplied, and prices have dropped to Is 2d per dozen. Tho circle is still making members, and the largest poultry-fanner in South Canterbury has joined this week. Poultry-farmers generally recognise that tho circle has been able to rcgulato the price of summer eggs. At no time during tho flush season have members 'received less than Is lid per dozen. Poultry prices havo eased a little; but there is a fair demand for good-class birds. The circle has written to the Government asking them to take tho duty off Australian

wheat, and if this is don© poultry-farmers will be able to secure their requirements at about 5s 8d instead of 6s to 6s 3d, as at present." Messrs Reilly, Gill, and Co. report:— " A very fine yarding of poultry came forward for our sale on Wednesday last. Prices were lower than those ruling at the sale the previous week, though poultry experienced a good demand. Eggs: During the week we have had some very nice consignments, all of which wc have been able to clear on a basis of Is 3d to Is 4d for stamped and guaranteed, and Is Id to Is 2£d for case eggs. Poultry realised as follows : liens—one at Is 6d, eight at Is 7d, 19 at Is 9d, 21 at Is 10d, 67 at Is lid. 50 at 2s, 17 at 2s Id, 36 at 2s 2d. 38 at 2s 3d, 51 at 2s 4d, nine at 2s sd, nine at 2s 6d, eight at 2s 7d, 11 at 2s Bd, 16 at 2s 9d, five at 3s, three at 3s Id, 13 at is 3d, 14 at 3s sd; cockerels—lo at Is sd, 14 at Is 9d, one at Is lOd, one at 2s 3d, nine at 2s lid; cocks —three at Is 6d, three at Is 9d ; one hen and nine chicks, 9s fed; ducks —two at 3s, six at 3s 4d, four at 3s lOd; ducklings, 14 at 3s: pullets, one at 2s; goslings, 12 at 4s; turkeys— two at 7d, two at lljsd; canaries, three at Is 3cl; bantams—three 8$ lOd, four at lid."

BREEDING METHODS SIMPLY EXPLAINED. Breeding Fowls for Exhibition.—The beginner is advised to purchase as good 6tock as ho can afford to buy, for then ho has the benefit of years of skilful breeding. If the breeder from whom stock is secured has strains which arc not closely related, it is well to buy a cock from the same breeder, and allow him to mate tho pen for breeding purposes. In all other cases it is well to buy a cock from some other source, oven though the progeny may not be quite so uniform, for greater vigour will be secured/ Breeding stock should always be kept healthy and vigorous, as only such stock can produce satisfactory offspring. Line Breeding.—Systematic in-breeding is called line breading. Tho way in which this is usually carried out is as follows: Tho breeder usually has several pons of fowls, closely related as to origin. Each of these strains is inbred, and tho progeny very closely culled both for vigour and appearance. When the related lines of blood are again united by breeding together the choicest individuals of tho different strains, vigour is secured, and yet tho desirable qualities which hav3 been fixed by the inbreeding are not destroyed. It is a good plan, whenever possible, to have a portion of the brooding stock raised in another section nf tho country for a year or two. Then choice individuals can be brought back and bred with the: home stock. Double Mating.—ln some breeds, of which the barred Plymouth Rock is an example, it is difficult to secure both male and female exhibition fowls from the same mating, for if the cockerels are of the proper colour then the pullets are apt to bo too dark, while if tho pullets are just right in colour then the cockerels will' be too light. To avoid this difficulty it is customary with some breeders to mate dark-coloured malea with standard-coloured females for the production of standard coloured males, while light-coloured males arc used for the production of females. It is thus necessary to mate up two pons, one for tho production of cockerels, and the other for tho production of pullets. This practice is confined to the proeluction of show birds, and. in fact, not all breeders of exhibition birds are advocates of the double mating system, believing that if birds "" that are of standard colour, when mated together will not produce offspring of standard colour, then the standard should be changed. It would appear that tho latter view is the more sensible one to take, for individuals of a breed possessing tho accepted colour of that brood should be able to reproduce their kind when mated gether.

SOUTHLAND EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. Tlio secretary of the Southland laying Competition reports the result fof the thirty-sixth week ending December 12 as follows: "White Legborns.—

* One bird dead; fivo in pen. C. Crighton (pen No. 5) with a score of 139 eggs, wins this monthly prize of a bag of oats, donated by J. 11. Mills and Co.; J. Ireland (pen Xc. 11) second with 130 eggs.

Pen Grand No, Dailvla^ •ing. Total. 2 J. Stevens 4533455--29 1088 31 John Dowdall .. 4546465--31 1079 5 C. Crighton 4555656--36 1057 22 Misa Sutherland -2-1-996 23 *J. J. Schultz .. .. 5345833--26 995 9 Mrs Gorinski .. 65455.5 t--84 984 35 *Enterprise P. Farm 431.4335--26 984 38 C. Warburton .. .. 4536455--32 976 in J. B. Merreit .. .. 5445356--32 970 6 33 8154433--25 902 960 5345554--31 25 H. Woodnorth .. .. 6465425--31 957 2-1 Ran slum Egg Ranch 3 mi L8--25 941 2S K. Finlayson 5544565--34 935 16 5456454--33 933 7 J. Thomson 5144554--28 931 34 *J. Hislop .. .. .. 5438844--29 928 32 James Strang .. 5453544--30 921 12 W. Hamilton 4515344--20 919 20 Green Bros. 5344344--27 919 11 James Ireland .. 3156156--33 890 30 Rillstone and Davies 2655255--30 876 8 C. Clayton 6423522--21 876 10 Enterprise P. Farm 5626553--30 8-59 8 6436553--32 &34 15 C. Mafheeon 6433345--30 853 30 Tracv King 3442551--24 £32 1 R. Ross 6543444--30 829 20 F. Orme 2444443--2.5 817 14 T. E. Davis .. .. 2345454--29 790 27 H. Fortune .. .. 4463635--31 764 10 R, W. Hawk© .. .. 5444434--23 720 18 C. Raines — Black Orpin 5344634igtona.—• -29 Tot 37 *R. Fcrsrusoii ' 2331333--18 809 20 *J. H. Hurrell .. .. 3222332--17 003 —"White Plymouth Rocks. — 21 T. E. Davis .. .. 5453345--2D 835 — Campines.— 17 3154342--25 741 — Columbian Wj randcttes .— 4 Mrs J. Mills .. .. 3345434- - 26 636 1,039 33,708