POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3353, 19 June 1918, Page 51

POULTRY NOTES.

By Tkreoe.

By -way of supplementing- my last week’s brief reference to the Christchurch Show, I am glad to add that I learn from a visiting fancier, from down this way, that he considered the Show to have been extremely creditable to tho Christchurch fanciers, particularly in view of the prevailing distractions. An innovation, probably rendered possible because of the fewer entries, was that there was no doublebanking of pens—i.e., all were in single tiers; and the pens were open back and front;., so that the birds could bo viewed from either avenue. It is questionable whether the I'ast-montioned novelty was in every respect an advantage, for though, to the public, it was undoubtedly a convenience, it was otherwise to the judges and to the birds themselves. It could not have been an advantage to the judge that the birds would rush towards the light furthorest from himself, and the birds muot have found it a bit. draughty. The utility classes, I am told, were easily ahead of tho others except in Wyandottes and Khodo Island reds, and no doubt the fact that these two breeds are supported by specialist clubs in Christchurch accounts for their present position in public favour in comparison with the other breeds. The fact that toy dogs were shown, and that cakes and scones and dressed poultry wero on exhibition helped to swell the gate money. With regard to the last-mentioned, I am told that one exhibitor lost a prize through his having removed tho head, and thus making it impossible to identify the breed. Big placards were placed at tho end of each row of pens notifying the public that tho birds were not to be handled. Some of the judges seemed to think that an exception in their favour should be allowed to this rule, as they (the judges) aro continuously being asked for their reasons in placing the awards, and also for their opinion of birds in classes judged by other judges; and in view of tho fact that many people go to the Show for instruction there certainly seems ample warrant for the judges being exempted from the law. referred to. Utility white Leghorns were a very big class, but did not give general satisfaction. Length of back is reckoned a good point in Leghorns; but the tendency seems to bo to exaggerate this feature, for mstny of tho exhibits wero far too long. The • winning hen was a beauty, and was claimed at the catalogue figure. Mr Oalder, of Oamaru, showed a very nice pullet, which it was generally considered should have won, but she ■ was put down for crooked breast. Crooked breast is a fault regarding which more definite information is required. A “crooked’’ breast should be “crooked,” and a breast with a slight dent in it is not crooked. Judges should use discretion in this matter, for although it is set down in the utility standard os a disqualification, it was understood by the committee who framed it that judges would not penalise unduly. Minorcas were a big improvement on last year, and the competition was really good. The winning cockerel was an easy winner. Ho showed great quality, and in every way claimed the judge’s first attention. The second bird was also a good specimen, but too high in tail. Tho third was too coarse to deserve better place. The first and second Minorca pullets gave distinct signs of cushion, and were higher at tho back than front. The third bird was of good type, but out of condition and off the lay. Orpingtons constituted a splendid class. The winners were of good typo and close in feather, as per standard reuiroment. A number of the unplaced birds were decidedly loose in feather, and suffered accordingly. One otherwise very fine specimen—a cockerel —lost through being too long in 'eg. Rhode Island reds were tho best of their kind ever seen in Christchurch. The winning cockerel was a beauty. He was slightly touched in breast, but won notwithstanding this fault and the added ono that he had a slight kink in breast. Mr .F. Brown (chief Government poultry expert), the judge in this class, it will be noticed, used discretion in this case, and did not unduly penalise for what was only a so-cxlled “crooked” breast. The pullets in this breed were also a fine lot of typical birds. The Wyandottes in the utility classes wore only a fair lot, and the majority wero evidently just nicked from fanciers’ yards. Tho bantams, taken all round, were a poor crowd, and the judge was evidently not a champion at the game. The winning pullet was very close in tail —almost whip-tailed. — and was lucky to win. Tho winning cockerel was .a good bird, but wanting in front and rather short in back, but had good head. In the open classes the Wyandottes were a good lot, but there was nothing really outstanding. The first-prize cockerel wae a good bird, but might have been better on tori. The winning pullet was bred from the lately imported stuff secured by Mr Alf. Walker. She was good, but not in tip-top condition., Tho black Orpingtons and Leghorns were not of the useful _ type; they would all. probably, look very nice on a green lawn, but were not show specimens either from fancy or utility standpoints. The Tapanui Poultry and Produce Club holds its thirtieth annual show_ on Saturday, July 15. Tapanui is almost invariably represented at our Dunedin fixture, and consequently deserve all the encouragement possible from the Dunedin fanciers. <■_ This year this club holds the championships of the South Island Association for Old English game, barred Plymouth Rocks, silver Wyandottes. clean-legged tumbler pigeons, and Norwich yellow canary (plain head, cleanticked, -or variegated). The secretary is Mr A. Munyarcl. “The American mail brings the news that the United States Government has established, as part of the military organisation, an extensive poultry plant in connection’ with the Fort Leavenworth garrison in Kansas. Provision has been made for 20.000 layers, and tho rearing of 10.000 to 50.000 chickens each year, in addition to 5000 ducks. Twelve laying houses, each 20ft bv 200 ft, and two full stories, to accommodate 1750 hens, have been erected. The mammoth incubators selected for this farm are of the Newtown Giant make. This Is' claimed to be the largest Government poultry farm in the world.” This statement may he correct as far as a Government poultry farm is concerned. But it has been stated in an American paper that there is a poultry form in tho United (States where

never less than half a million birds have to bo fed every day. —lf a show bird looks pale and tired from the effects of a long journey, or rough l handling on the way to tho show room, try giving a tablesponful of warm milk containing three to five drops of brandy (not _ more), _ somo 15 minutes before tho judging begins. Feed it with a glass tubo or fountain pen filler, to avoid soiling tho plumage. It will usually brace the bird up and make it look its best. Do not use more than five drops of brandy, as a larger quantity will cause the bird to bocome sleepy, when, of course, it cannot show at its best. The milk and brandy (says an exchange) will also help to ward off colds when the show weather is cold! and wintry. Some English fanciers claim that the following treatment will yield excellent results with birds returned from tho shows, and that it eliminates the dango* caused by the wear and tear of the excitement of being on exhibition and exposure to diseases in the showroom: —"Immediately on arrival homo the birds are placed in small pens, similar to exhibition coops, and each bird is given a teaspoonful of. castor oil, and a good feed of stalo bread soaked in warm beer." A good many birds suffer each season from lack of proper care, and from being overshown in the Old Country. Messrs Fraser and Co., 146 Crawford street, Dunedin. agents for the Otago Egg Circle, report: 'Eggs: Market easy. Fresh, Is 9d to Is lOd; Otago Circle eggs, 2s. Poultry: We held our usual auction sale at 1.30 on Wednesday. Prices for all classes showed a decided advance. We recommend consignments of all classes, especially ducks and* turkeys, for next week's sale. Hens — 12 at Is 6d, 15 at Is 7d, 10 at Is 10d, 25 at 2s. 25 at 2s 3d. 20 at 2s 6d; 18 at 3s 20 at 3s 2d; cockerels—lo at 3s, 25 at 3s 6d, 14- at 3s 9d; ducks —eight at 4s, eight at 4s 6d; geese —three at 4s, three' at 4s 3d; all at per head. Turkeys: 10 hens at 10d, 4 at lid per lb; six gobblers at lid. three at ll{d per lb, live weight." Tho Co-operative Fruit-growers of Otago (Ltd.) report: "A very good yarding of poultry came forward on Wednesday, and prices were firmer for all lines. Eggs have been coming to' hand freely, and our market for stamped and guaranteed has come ba-ck to 2s, and we hear of somo agents selling at Is lOd. Preserved eggs are still slow of sale, some agents quoting l Is 6d._ AH stock foods, wheat, etc., have good inquiry. The following prices wera secured for our consignors:—Hens—three at Is Bd. 45 at Is- 9d, 16 at Is lOd, 89 at Is lid, 23 at 2s. 40 at 2s Id. 18 at 2s 2d. 24 at 2s 9d. 11 at 3s [ cockerels —11 at 2s Id, six at 2s 2d, four at 2s 4d. 13 at 3s 6d, 12 at 4s, six at 4s 2d; ducks — five at 3s 4d. five at 3s 6d, five at 3s Bd, four at 4s 3d. five at 4s sd; pulletstwo at 4s 3d." DUNEDIN FANCIERS' CLUB. . The x'anciers' Club's annual show of poultry, pigeons, canaries, dogs, cats, and children's pets will be held iu tho Brydone Hall on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Tho show promises to bo most successful. In poultry a very: large entry has been received in tho utility section, while Wyandottes, Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and bantams are tho strongest sections. The pigeon entry is ahead of those received in previous years. Canaries and cage birds are well up to the usual standard, while the Persian cats and children's pets show a decided increase. This section of the show is becoming more popular each year. Some very quaint pets will be on view on Friday and Saturday only. The dog seetton is well up to the usual. Bulldogs, spaniels, Airedale terriers, and Irish terriers aro the strongest breeds, but all classes will be fairly well represented. The judging will commence at 9 o'clock on Thursday, and should be concluded by midday. The showwill be open" each day and night up till 10 o'clock. The following will officiate as judges:—Poultry : Utility breeds, Mr C. Cussens; bantams, Messrs H. L. Sprosen. and G. Nioholson; all other classes, Mr T. Leedham, with Mr W. Omand as judge's assistant. Mr R. Bankshaw will judge the fancv pigeons, and Mr A. F. Clark the homing" pigeons. The canaries and cage birds will be judged by Mr G. Nicolson, and Mr and Mrs Cunningham will judge the cats and children's pets. Captain H. S. Kylo will judge the dog section. Several interesting attractions will bo witnessed in the shape of performing dogs, crowing competitions, and a cat parade.