POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 33

POULTRY NOTES.

By Terror. . “I 1 ai mer. —Two-year-old ducks are best for breeding purposes. Mate with well-grown yearling drakes. You will find a paragraph on the subject in this week’s notes.

‘Chicks/—Ton are asking a question for which it would be better to get the answer by going to see how things are done on a big plant. However. I may say that the house to accommodate 300 brooder chicks should be divided by wire netting into three compartments, each to hold 100 chicks. Each division should ailow room for the actual brooder and a covered-in run space of. say, 4ft bv Cft. Uns would mean a house 10ft by 12ft, and it should be high enough to allow’ standing room for the attendant. Outside each division there should be an outer run for the chickens when weather permits. .If 300 chickens are allowed together in one compartment, there is sure to be loss by crowding into corners. Nature and Nurture. —Those of my readers who interest themselves in breeding problems may welcome the following explanation of the meaning of the terms “nature” and “nurture,” given by Arthur Thomson in his book “ Heredity.” He says: The fertilised eggshell implicitly contains in some wav which we cannot imagine the potentiality of a living creature. If this rudiment is to be realised there must be an appropriate environment, supplying food and oxygen, and liberating stimuli of manv kinds. iSurrounding influences— maternal or external—begin to play upon the developing germ, and without those influences the inheritance could not be expressed the potentialities could not be realised. Ihus the organic inheritance implies an environment apart from which it means nothing and can achieve nothing. Indeed it is only by an abstraction that we can separate any living creature from an environment in which it can live. Life implies persistent action and reaction between organisms and environment. But while the inherited nature and its possibilities of action and leaction must be regarded as rigorously determined by the parental and ancestral contributions, nurture (the environment influences) must not be thought of as predetermined. In fact the surrounding influences are very variable, and the nature ot the young organism may be profoundly changed by them.” I break olt quoting here to direct attention to this last statement of Mr Arthur Thomson: Nature may be changed bv nurture. It is a point well worth noting nirtlJ’ 0 ” try !? ree ,l e ™- Tbe celebrated authoi proceeds: ‘ Ihus we soon find it possible to distinguish between the main features which are the normal realisations of the inheritance in a normal environment and peculiarities in nurture, lhe characters of a newly-hatched chicken stepping out of the imprisoning are in the main strictly hereditary” but In" fl, ne n ,10v be > al I to ? eth er so, for during the three weeks before hatching there in S rt.T n S °'- ne °Pl’ ortuili ty for peculiarities on Vho e ? v,r ° nn ? ent to leave their mark on the developing creature. Still more is this the case with the tvpical mamahan embryo, which develops.‘often for many months, as a sort of internal parasite within the mother—in a complex and variable environment. And as lite goes on peculiarities, due to nurture continue to be superimposed on the hereditary qualities.” Readers will gather from the foregoing that heredity be"ins and ends with the union of two cells—fertilisation. Nurture and environment begin before the egg is laid. It continues during the process of incubation, and, so iar as breeding purposes are concerned, goes on till the bird reaches maturity and reproduces its kind. Mishaps during incubation and bad management in rearing may make it impossible for a bird to express its inheritance during its life work; but, wonderful to relate, its inheritance and not its acquired characteristics due to nurture, is handed on to the next generation.

Scots Greys.—ln the opinion of the Scottish l-ancier, the English breeders tail to recognise the valuable quality of the Scots Greys, and it deserves notice. In England they are known not as Scots Gieys, but as Scotch Greys, which a writer to the Scotch Fancier says is, of course,_ not the correct name. As a farmer s bird they are recommended on account of their great activity (Scotch-man-hke) in foraging, and at - that they snow themselves to best advantage on free range. Decidedly pretty birds, with their markings somewhat similar to the barred Rocks, but with the markings lying crossways over the bodies and over - the tails, mi 0 r Scots Greys is a pleasing sight, lhe fact that the cockerels are a very saleable commodity just off the range without any special preparation ought to popularise this breed with the farmer who has little time to spare for fattening at a season when this would be needed among the young males of many breeds, they are fine of bone, compact in build, and carry a good quantity of deliciouslyflavoured breast flesh. The hens lav a tair-sized white egg, and if bred to‘lay the output is very satisfactory.' In weight such birds are about 51b. though the males are occasionally 21b heavier. The combs are single, and in the hen this part may either be erect or falling slightly to one side; in the male it should be erect and evenly serrated. The plumage is between a blue-white and a light grey, while the barring is black. This should be the same all over the body. The legs and feet are white, or they may be mottled W'ith black) but the shanks must show no feathering. The white beak may have streaks of black. BoJJi ear lobes and wattles are of medium size. The head

is long the eyes large and bright, while the tapering neck in the male has a profusely flowing hackle. The back of the bird is broad and flat and the breast deep and full. The long, strong, wide-apart legs remind one of the game, though these are not so decided in the Scots Greys. Sick Birds.—The failure to notice and attend to, a , sick bird before it becomes seriously ill is frequently a cause of much loss, or even failure, where the trouble is infectious or contagious. As soon as the fowl is seen to be “ off colour ” or abnormal in appearance in any wav, it should be isolated till the cause is found out or the birds get better. A suitable coop or other quarters for such cases should always be provided in poultry plants, however small they may be. It is a mistake, too, to use the coop for any other purpose than as a “hospital.” the chances are that when it is used otherwise, and a bird is found which required looking after, there will be no available place to hold it, and so it will be neglected till the symptoms are further advanced, and by that time much damage may have been caused by the spread of the trouble. One cannot be too careful in connection with eases of this kind. It is certainly good where hospital coops aie never required, but this is no argument for not having one handj- in a case ot emergency.

Marketing Eggs.—The principal source ot revenue on the poultry farm or plant is eggs That being so the item which needs to be considered is the necessity or marketing them new-laid; they must be clean and free from taint, and - should be sent off to the buyer each day if a reputation is to be worked up. Good packing with plenty of fresh-cut chaff should be the order of the day, and on no account should any packing material smell musty, as this is liable to affect the flavour of the eggs. Each box should contain a guarantee form as follows: — • Every egg in this box is guaranteed laid to-< ay —giving the date, etc. The best packing is made in the patented wireloop containers, as they save recounting, much time, prevent breakages, and as they reveal their contents are handled carefully by carriers.

Now that incubators are being started, do not forget a box of damp sand. It may never be required, but it should be there in case of an accidental flare up. A fire extinguisher is more ornamental, but damp sand is effective. Never fill a lighted lam]). Wipe the oil container e '’ e ri’. time, and thus reduce the chance ot firing to a minimum.

,„ T11 , C ,. Cinderella of Agriculture—The ’’ orld s Poultry Congress in Canada is a greater tribute to the humble lien than has ever been paid to her before. The following clipping from an Ottawa paper reports Mr Tom Newman on the subject as follows:—“‘The Cinderella of Agriculbo'v J oin Newman, editor of I oultry Science, the well-known British publication, describes the hen iu a letter to the headquarters of the ’World’s 1 oultry Congress. Mr Newman says that up till a few years ago no one would ha\c thought she would reach the place in industry she has to-day. Air Newman is an official delegate from Great Britain to the congress.”

Tie Care of Goose Eggs for Hatching. , le . £ oosc eggs whilst on hand should be laid upon the side and covered over with a piece of blanket. Thej" should be turned daily. A temperature of 55deg rahr. is a suitable one for the keeping of goose eggs intended for hatching. Ordinarily the germ is strong in geese eggs, and hatching out is not impossible even when the egs are kept for a month. The proper and most paying plan is to start tne hatching when the eggs are as fresh as possible.

Mr E. Vernor, of Oamaru, has licen niort successful with his game bantams at the various shows in the South Island, having carried off numerous championships, first prizes, and specials. Mr Vernor has disposed of his champion pile cockerel to Mr George Nicholson, of Maori Hill, Dunedin. A black-red pullet has also been purchased by the same fancier, while a duckwin" cockerel was secured bv Mr W Brown” of Dunedin. A North Island fancier has booked a nice trio of black reds. Reilly s report: An exceptionally good yarding of poultry for their sale on Wednesday. In all they received and sold:—Hens: 14 at 15s, 15 at 14s, 9 at 13s 6d, 8 at 13s 2d. 22 at 12s, 15 at 10s, 16 at 9s, 27 at 9s 4d, 27 at 9s 2d. 33 at 8s lOd, 40 at"Bs Bd. 40 at 7s 6d, 8 at 6s 4d, 2 at 4s 2d. Cockerels: 7 at 425, 8 at 15s, 12 at 13s 6d, 22 at 13s 4d, 7 at 13s, 9 at 12s 6d, 15 at 12s 2d, 13 at 12s, 9 at Us 6d. 12 at Us. 12 at 10s 22 at 9s 2d, 14 at 9s 6d, 16 at 8s Bd. 9 at 8s 4d. 7 at 8s 2d. 9 at Bs, 2 at 7s lOd. 4 at 7s Bd. 6 at 7s. 2 at 6s Bd. 2 at 6s 6d. 6 at 6s. Bullets: 16 at 18s. 28 at 16s Bd, 45 at 15s 6d, 19 at 13s. 20 at 12s 6d. 42 at 12s. 13 at 10s 6d. 9 at 9s lOd, 2 at 9s 6d. Ducks: 13 at Ils 6d. 22 at 9s 6d, 21 at 9s, 4 at 8s 6d, 2 at 8s Geese: 12 at 13s, 5 at Us. 12 at 10s 6d. 4 at 10s. (All at per pair.) Turkevs: 9 gobblers at Is 5.L1 per lb, 7 do. at Is sd. 1 do. at Is 4d. 7 do. at Is 31d. 1 turkey hen at Is 34d. 1 do. at Is" 2Jd. We had an exceptionally good sale, there

“ You will not do for a nurse. You are too short!” “That is an advantage! If I let the baby fall it wouldn’t have so far to drop I * —Buca Humor, Madrid.

being some very nice birds forward, and we sold during the week a number of breeding pens < f all descriptions. We are highly pleased with the prices secured at auction and privately. In breeding pens we sold turkey gobblers at 20s. 255, 30s, and £2 2s each, turkey hens at 21s and 30s each, Embden geese 7s 6d, 10s, and 15s each, and Toulouse the same money. Six Indian Runner drakes 7s 6d to 10s each, 12 white Leghorns ranging in price from is 6d. to 30s each, 15 brown Leghorns from 12s 6d to 21s each, 7 Minorca cockerels from 10s 6d to 25s each, 8 pullets from 8s 6d to Us each, 16 Rhode Island Reds from 8s 6d to 13s each, 22 white Leghorns from 8s 6d to 15s each, three black Orpington pullets at 21 s each. Eggs: These have been coming to hand freely, and prices range from Is 9d to 2s per dozen.

23rd PAPANUI EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. Leading Pena 16th Week ended July 23 (112 days). FLOCK TEAMS CONTEST. (Six birds.) 1

Week’s eggs. White Leghorns— W eight oz.drs. Total. J. G. Verrail .. .. 32 61. 1 471 J. Liggins .. .. 25 53.11 471 A. Woolley .. .. 30 Gl. 4 457 H. G. West .. .. 27 CO. 3 - T. C. Wilee .. .. 32 72. 6 445 F. Hawes .. .. 28 59.10 435 Green Bros .. .. 32 GG.13 431 SINGLE HEN OPEN CHAMPION SHIP. —Light and Heavy Breeds.— Week’s Weight eggs. oz.drs. Total. Black Orpingtons— Mrs Hcllaby .. .. G 12. 9 90 H. W. Beck .... 5 11. 7 90 H. J. Ballin .... 1 8. G 82 A. M. Espie .. .. . 5 White Leghorns— 10. 9 80 F. Hawes .. .. G 13. 0 92 W. E. Ward .. .. G 13. 7 84 A. C. Goodlet .. .. 4 8. 6 82 S. E. Davey .. .. G 13. 6 82 H. C. West .... 6 13.15 82 SINGLE DUCK CONTEST. (Owner enters Three Birds.) Week’s Indian Bunners— eggs. Total. F. R. Cotton, No. 1 .. Ill A. G. 1?. Ross, No, 2 <7 1(X) Mrs Gee, No. 1 . 6 107 A. G. F. Ross, No. 3 .. 108 J. W. Thomson, No. 2 .. 6 105 Mrs Gee, No. 3 7 103 SINGLE HEN CONTEST. (Owner enters Three Birds.) Week’s A.O.V. Heavy Breeds— eggs. Total. P. Bailev, R.I.R., No. 1 G 97 P. Bailev, R.I.R., No. 2 .. 6 97 P. A. Cornish, L.S., No. 1 .. Black Orpingtons— , 5 87 G. A. Grainger, No. 1 6 98 T. D. Dalziel, No. 2 5 94 R. M. Cookson, No. 3 . G 92 J. Kingsland, No. 2 K 89 J. Kingsland, No. 1 .. > 5 88 T. D. Dalziel, No. 1 5 86 WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN CONTEST. (Owner enters Three Birds.) Week’s Ccrog. Total. A. R. Browne, No. 1 .. rr 99 11. Williams, No. 1 .. . 7 99 W. II. West, No. 2 .. 6 95 W. H. West, No. 1 .. 4 94 H. Williams, No. 3 .. 5 93 II. C. West, No. 2 .. 6 . 92 H. Williams, No. 2 .. G 90