EGG-LAYING

Southland Times, Issue 18619, 18 August 1919, Page 7

EGG-LAYING

SOUTHLAND COMPETITION. END OF WINTER TEST. The following is the result of the winter test (17 weeks), but as the eggs have yet to be weighed for another two weeks the winners cannot be determined, as the leading pen has so far failed to lay the Club’s standard weight of eggs (230z to the dozen) though it is possible for the pen to make up the weight:— The records for the winter test of 17 weeks in the three previous competitions were:— 1916 — J. Stevens, 494 eggs. 1917 J. Schultz, 397 eggs. 1918 — R. C. Ferguson, 442 eggs, LIGHT BREEDS TEST.

PAPANUI NOTES. RESULTS OF THE WINTER TEST. On July 31 the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s winter test terminated, and generally speaking the winter laying compares more than favourably with previous years and from a financial viewpoint it baa been the most successful yet held by the club. The weather was favourable for the birds coming to profit at the commencement and well into June when snow, heavy rainfalls and severe frosts followed to the end of the first week of July, which steadied the egg-yield of the teams and compelled 20 of the 30 fowls in the experimental houses to go out of profit. During July very changeable weather was experienced and\the last week saw a succession of very severe frosts. Following are the totals of the various pens on July 31, the leading birds being the winter test winners in their respective tests, provided they fulfil all the. conditions at the termination of the year’s laying:— Light Breed Singles—S. L. Beer, 94, Beck and Oakley 87, J. B. Merrett 87, E. Marsden 86. Heavy Breed Singles—J. McDonald 106, Green Bros 81. Experimental Singles—E. Marsden 97, J. Liggins 89, T. E. Conway 86, Green Bros. 80. Light Breed Teams—E. Marsden 508, J. Liggins 478, C. Thomson 468, E. Terry 464. Also; Mrs Gorinski 429, S. L. Beer 420, T. King 420, D. McDougall 400, J. Stevens 323. Heavy Breed Teams—T. E. Conway 406, W. Bloomfield 291. Duck Teams—W. T. Green 495, J. Donald 469. Single Ducks—W. T. Green 104, H. Meadows 89. NOTES ON THE WINTER TEST. The birds on the whole were in splendid bloom on July 31 for a heavy egg yield in the spring. The light breed teams, as well as the heavy varieties, were given access to their runs during the fine weather. J. McDonald’s Black Orpington laid 100 eggs, averaging 230z to the dozen, in 108 days. This performance nearly equals the world’s record established on two successive years by H. B. James, Victoria, with Lady Constant, 100 eggs in 107 days, and Lady Bendigo 100 eggs in 106 days. W. T. Green’s single duck has laid a sequence of 97 eggs in 97 days. With a week to go and a total of 508 eggs, E. Marsden’s team promises to break the club’s record (531 eggs) made ten years ago, for four months’ laying. A coincidence in the winter test is T. King’s and S. L. Beer’s teams finishing equal (420 eggs). Both are keen enthusiasts residing at Riverton. G. H. . Bradford’s team, also D. McDougall’s and the Oxford Poultry Farm’s team are likely to improve their positions before very long. The receipts for sales of the winter test eggs were £6B 10s lOd greater than for 1918. H. B. James’ blood has crossed the line first in the three light breed tests —E. Marsden in two tests and S. L. Beer in one. Owing to the scarcity of green food carrots were boiled and added to the mash. There were no serious cases of sickness though several of the birds had to be treated for colds. Only one White Leghorn showed signs of broodiness and that was in Green Bros.’ No. 2 pen, whilst five of the heavy breeds were troubled with this complaint. There seems every prospect of a completely new plant next year, when every bird engaged will be single-penned.

Week’s Weight Grand Total Oz Total C. Thomson .. . 31 59 454 Mrs F. Gorinski . 32 67 g 406 J. E. Anderson . 21 43| 401 W. K. Hamilton (8) 26 51* 387 S. Faircloth .. . 30 603 385 Mrs C. Thomson . 20 42 g 385 E. Williamson .. 29 56 383 A. L. Walker .. 27 534 382 P. Nelson 2§ 584 365 G. H. Preston .. 33 684 354 R. H. Dempster . 35 764 353 P. W. Shaddock . 25 514 348 Tracey King .. . 27 56 345 Enterprise P.F. . 29 58S 345 H. T. Stratton . 30 614 340 J. Pauli 27 544 340 T. J. Horan .. . 31 63J 340 W. K. Hamilton (30) 32 654 332 H. S. Woodnorth . 26 514 331 J. H. Uren 24 473 326 C. Matheson .. . 23 47J 309 *E. G. Munnings . 10 20 305 £. Davis 29 594 304 A. Ayers .. .. . 27 564 305 ||S. L. Beer .. . 20 384 290 Theo. Murray 28 55| 283 C. Double 23 464 279 R. Wilson (5) .. 12 254 278 A. Provan .. .. 22 454 275 R. Wilson (35) . 22 45$ 272 J. White 28 614 268 D. F. McDougall . 17 344 268 J. J. Schultz .. . 18 384 248 |Beck and Oakley . , , 22 47 268 R. Preston .. .. 18 374 192 (Waitoitoi S.F. . 21 444 169 HEAVY BREEDS TEST. tR. C. Ferguson . 17 32g 289 JMise H. King .. . 31 614 254 tR. L. Procter . 8 m 119 tJ. Brown 2 961 34 16 12,283 •Brown Leghorns. tBIack Orpingtons. Wyandottes. JOne bird dead. UTwo birds dead.