POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 20

POULTRY NOTES.

By

TERROR.

“Chick.” —Yes, the material you mention is much used, and has been approved by successful fanciers. f have served it myself in years past without injury to the fowls. However, it is not recommended nowadays by the leading- authorities' who favour such, grits as are put on the market : oyster shell grit, and fost'o grit for shellmaking ; and broken stone, flint, granite, quartz, etc., for grinding purposes and the silica, they contribute. - . "11. Southland.-—I believe there are some black Leghorns about, but have not seen any for a long time. An advertise menfc above this column might bring you into touch with a breeder. I. am keeping your stamped envelope pending further inquiries, and if 1 hear of a breeder will address and poat it.

Southland Test. —The following are the leading pens to August 25, end of nineteenth week: — Single birds —Chas. Thomson, W.L., 109; Tracey King, S. \V., 105; B. Nelson, W.L., 103; F. A. Williams, W.L., 101; D. F. M'Dougall, W.L., 101. 1 Teams (six birds) — Tracey King, W.L., 560; A. E. Morris, W.L., 534; J. K. Anderson. W.L.. 492. Ducks (six birds) —Alex. Peat, Lit., _494; Alex. Peat (one dead), 1.R., 425; Alex. Peat, 1.1!,, 396. Papanui Egg-laying Competition.—The official report shows tiie following as the leading pens on August 27 (twentieth week) : -- Heavy breeds (single hen) —J. P. Drewott, 8.0., 125; J. W. Mathieson, W.W., 83. Light breeds (single hen) —W. E. Ward, W.L., 102; H. W. Beck, W.L., 98; E. J. Merriman, W-.T,.. 93; G. H. Bradford, W.L., 97. Light-breed single pen contest (three birds, same owner) —Green Bros., W.L.. 104, 103, 96—total 303; R. W. Coombes. W.L. 104, 97, 95—266; C. A. Inder, W.L., 94, 105, 92—291; P. R. Wliitford, W.L., 102, 101, 83—291; Tracey King, W.L., 93. 99, 95 —287. Heavy breeds single pen contest (three birds, same owner) Tracey King, SW, 99. 103, 105—307; J. B. IMerreft, 8.0., 105. 106. 74 -285. Ducks (three birds, eame owner) —R. W. Hawke, LIE. 83, 138, 56—277; A. C. Clements, 1.1 t., 78, 113, 64—255; T. Bond, 1.R., 55, 100, 62217. Light breeds (teams of six birds) Green Bros.. W.L., 509; 11. Williams, W.L., 485;. Vein all Bros., W.L., 432. Returned Soldiers’ competition—A. 11. Adams, W.L.-, 657; J. C. Musgrave, W.L., 555; E. L. Rice, W.L., 549. The monthly meetings of the Dunedin Utility Poultry Club bid fair to be very popular.. Many poultry breeders attended the meeting on Thursday night last who were not on the roll of tire club, and this is what is wanted in order to attract new inernbers. As announced, last meeting was “Question Night.” and Mr Dalton, who presided, lost no time in getting through the routine business of the evening so as to give Mr Spirer plenty of lime to answer any questions which might be put to him. About 40 people were present, and amongst the questions were the following: “How close is it safe to line breed?” “What is the difference between a utility and a- show bird?” “Would you breed from pullets?” “If it is wrong to breed from pullets, why breed from cockerels?” Explain judging and judges' methods.” This last question brought out quite a good and enlightening address from Mr Sprosen. “Which is the best bird to select for laying: one with sharp, fine pelvic bones or one with dull, rounded pelvic bones?” A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr Sprosen for the ready and clear manner in which he had answered all the questions, and the opinion was expressed that he had afforded the club an enjoyable as well as profitable evening. It is proposed to have another question night in the near future, when those who are too nervous to speak out will be invited to bring their questions in writing. It was resolved to have the rules of the club printed for circulation amongst the members. Next meeting there is to be an address on incubation and rearing chickens. A vote of thanks to Mr Dalton, as chairman, closed the meeting. Mrs Geo. Pearce, of 112 Elgin road, Mornington, has been successful in hatching out seven white Leghorn chickens from 12 eggs imported from Mr J. Austin, of the Canadian All-White Poultry Farm. Ballarat. In all 18 eggs arrived, but as six were cracked only 12 could be set. I consider that to get seven chicks from such long-travelled eggs was not a bad performance. I have .seen these chicks, and they look sturdy, and quite as active as others of the same age bred from birds on the spot. It is to he hoped that these chicks survive to maturity, because absolutely new blood is wanted, and it is advantageous to have it within reach instead of being- compelled to go abroad for it:. I am informed that Austin s birds are of the same strain as that possessed bv Ml- Stevens, whose team of white Leghorns put up (lie best score in Australia, 1920-21, with a* total of 1620 eggs: an average of 270 eggs per bird. Mrs Pearce has three breeding pens of her own. containing some 50 birds, 'mostly second and third year hens, the exceptions being a few of last- season’s early hatched pullets selected for a special mating on account of their extra size, the accommodation for the birds on this plant is all that can be desired, and when weather permits they are allowed extensive range. The bills ail looked in the pink of condition on the occasion of my visit, and ns they are chiefly of Mrs Mill's well-known strain, it is perhaps needless to say that their type is all that can be desired. Mrs Pearce expresses herself well satisfied with the productiveness of her birds, and, all things considered, the young stock she is producing this season (some by means of hens and some by a Triumph incubator: should prove easy to rear and ultimately profitable. The one-time Otago .Acclimatisation Fi-h Hatchery at Opolio will be. remembered by the thousands who visited it in past years as an ideally sheltered nook eminently suitable with its constant supply of _ running _ water for fish culture, but, being heavily wooded, and consequently damp, no cue would have considered it a suitable site for a poultry farm. Things are different now, however, for the present owner. Mr Alfred E. Knowles, has by timber felling let in the sun with surprising- effect. Indeed, on the occasion of a recent visit. I found sunlight flooding every part of his property. Mr Knowles has for some years kept fowls for the production of eggs for the markets at the “Hatchery,” Opoho, and finding profit- in the business has gradually added to the plant and increased the stock till now v hat with the addition of suitable buildings such as workshop and power-house, storehouse. incubator-room, brooder-house, and movable brooders, he is in a position to launch out in a big way any season bo cares to hatch-out the stock required. He erects all his own buildings and makes the greater part of all necessary appliances, and lie is thankful that the splendid timber on the ground provides a great deal of the building material required. The stock at present consist* of white Leghorns, black Orpingtons, Runner ducks and geese, and the two last mentioned have the old fish ponds for their special use. The. main poultry houses are in two long-range buildings. one of which is 40ft by 20ft, and the other 50ft by 20ft. Each is Bft high at front- and 6ft at back. Both houses arc boarded 2ft up in front, and above that are closed in with bird-proof wire netting. One of these buildings is divided into sixbreeding pens, each containing 12 iiens and a cockerel ; the other is divided into two laving sheds, one holding 30 hens and the

other 69 pul'ets. The Leghorns are of Green Broth rd and the Orpingtons of Christies strain. The whole of the stock looked healthy and busy as could be at the time of my visit. The feed-house and storeroom is a 10ft x 20ft structure, and contains bins for wheat, pollard, bran and peas, as also a large supply of hay. From this room the breeding pens can be ent< red one after the other without getting out bdo the op- n. a groat advantage in bad weather. The took workshop mid powerhouse in one is 12-fr x 16ft, and the equipment. shows that Mr Knowles is both engineer and carpenter. The incuha'orhouse is built into a. bank, and i< of 12ft x 10ft dimension and hip-roof, ,i. It is solidly lined, and ventilation is provided for as well as ample lighting.. It contains an 80 and a 140-egg Cypher, and two 50egg circles. All were full when i visin-d the pin nr. and Mrs Kiu-vflo-. who has charge of this department as well as of the newly hatched chickens, showed me. that she kept a daily register of the temperature. As she explained, this practice enabled her t-o guago what were the temperatures to give the best results from hatch to hatch. In the brooding-house I saw two lively little lots of black Orpington and white Leghorn c-hickons in brooders of Mr Knowles's own design. They are lamp-heated, and very little flame gives all the warmth required. Up to date Mr Knowles has not undertaken to sell chickens, but his present extensions now warrant him disposing of a few. On my asking him: “What about day-old chicks?” he explained that with his present facilities and intended increase of stock he could not enter into that at pres, nt. Poultrykeeping is not Mr Knowles’s regular occupation—just: a side line, hut there is, I think, every indication that by and by it will be his main job. for there is scope at the “Hatchery,” Opoho, for keeping thousands of birds if desired. I may add that as this fancier has planted a large number of fruit trees and bushes, if. is apparent that he intends to have more than one “string to bis bow” should he launch out as a farmer pure and simple. A species of flying-ant in the North Island is said to be responsible for a certain amount of mortality amongst poultry, especially during the swarming period, which takes place during the months of March and April. The ants are possessed of stings; poultry pick them up, are stung on the mouth or throat, and. after running about with their mouths open, fowls eventually die gasping. Mr \V. W. Smith curator of the New Plymouth Botanical Gardens, states that well-fed poultry were less likely to feed on the deadly stinging ants. Reilly’s Central Produce Mart, Ltd., report:—Consignments forward not nearly sufficient to meet, the demand. Particular inquiry for birds of heavy breeds suitable for cluckers. We are now booking for day-old chicks, and would recommend intending purchasers to forward orders without. delay. Eggs.—Market easier, stamped and guaranteed Is 5d to Is 6d, cased Is 4d. On Wednesday we received and sold: — Hens—Six at 12s 6d, four at 12s, 11 at 11s, four at 10s. four at 9s 6-d, four at 9s, eight at 7s 6d, six at 7s 4d, six at 6s. Cockerels—Four at 10s, three at 8s 6d, two at Bs, two at 7s 6d. four at 6s 6d, two at 6s. Ducks —Six at 10s. All at per pair. Fraser and Co., auctioneers, produce merchants, commission agents, and agents for the Otago Egg Circle. 146 Crawford street, Dunedin, report:—Eggs—Market steady. We quote Fgg Circle eggs Is 6d; plain Is 4d to Is sd. Poultry—Quantity coming forward has eased off very considerably and prices are nominal; hens to 7s 6ri, cockerels to 5s 6d; ducks to 7s 6d; all at per pair. Turkeys—ls per lb live weight.