POULTRY NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23330, 14 October 1937, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

BY

A. PEAT

The official column of the Invercargill Poultry, Pigeon, Canary and Pet Club, and the Southland Poultry Producers’ Federation.

Breeders will regret to learn of tbe death of Mr C. A. House, England, who at different times has been editor of the Fanciers Gazette, Pigeons and Poultry Pigeons, Fur and Feather and The Poultry World. It is through his writings in these papers that he is best known to most of us. He was also a keen exhibitor and probably one of the ablest and most fearless judges of his day. His services were keenly sought after at Home and he probably holds the record for an unbroken series of judging engagements at the Dairy and Crystal Palace shows and also at the Hague. In 1922 he accepted several engagements in Australia. From there he came to New Zealand and from heie went to Canada and the United States. He wrote several books on different fancies and if you can procure a book by him on your favourites you can de' pend on it being good. New varieties are always appearing. A Red Wyandotte is now being produced in England, while Professor Punnett and Mr Michael Pease at Cambridge have almost perfected the Barred Orpington and are also working on a Red Orpington. Is the standard too high in egg-lay-ing contests? Are breeders overdoing it in the race for egg records? It is all very well to produce 300-egg birds but can they last for several generations? These questions are often asked. It is hard to answer, but there is one thing certain, a hen can only eat a certain amount of food. Part of this has to go towards maintaining her body requirements and the balance for egg production. So you can readily understand that if she produces a large number of eggs the weight must necessarily decrease, that is her eggs will be underweight. If this is correct then it is easy to understand why at the present Auckland contest there are 113 birds laying underweight eggs, consisting of 64 Black Orpingstons, 36 White Leghorns, 5 Rhode Island Reds, 4 Silver Wyandottes, 3 Australorps, and 1 Ancona.

At the national egg-laying contest, England, 11 months are now gone and to gain a gold medal each pen has to average 200 scoring eggs a bird. There are eight breed sections and in the last 28 days the leading six Rhode Islands Reds must lay 89 more eggs, the White Wyandottes 45, Light Sussex 70, Buff Rocks 139, Australorps 224, White Leghorns 42, Black Leghorns 151 and Anconas 305. If breeding for high records is alone responsible for heavy mortality and small eggs in hens, as many declare, how do they account for ducks averaging 70 per cent, production, exceeding the 300 eggs a year and returning a mortality of three per cent. It takes some working out. To decide whether the ventilation is right in your fowlhouse all you have to do is to use your nose when you open the door first thing in the morning. Foul air certainly rises and catches the nostrils.

A White Leghorn leads over 3000 birds at the national test, England, with a score of 259 eggs in 44 weeks. Anconas are leading the A.O.V. light breeds at Harper Adams contest and running second in Kent county. Both teams have been purchased by a South African breeder. Does fallen fruit harm poultry? A little cannot, of course. Even an abundance makes little or no odds to them. When the first windfalls begin to fall they will eat them greedily, but later on will hardly look at them. RATE OF MATURITY The differences in the rate of maturity of various breeds are well known. The generally accepted minima are five and a-half to six months for heavy breeds, four and a-half to five for light. Except to note that these figures have been confirmed experimentally, i.e., under controlled conditions, they need not be enlarged upon. The possible effect of cross-breeding (among Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns) on maturity rates is one of the problems under review at the Northern Breeding Station. The following figures illustrate the results being obtained. AVERAGE AGE AT SEXUAL MATURITY (in days)

The figures are comparable in any one year as to the pure R.I.R. and the W.L.xR.I.R. cross, where the dams were the same birds. The same males sired the pure R.I.R. and the R.I.R.xW I. cross, so these results are comparable to that extent. The same observation applies to the pure W.L. and R.I.R.xW.L. cross and to the pure W.L. and W.L.xR.I.R. cross because of the identity of the dams in the first pair and of the sires in the second.

The effect of two types of in-breed-ing on rate of maturity is summarized in the bulletin which deals with the first series of experiments at the Northern Breeding Station. “The progeny from the father-daughter-outbred and father-daughter inbred matings were, on the whole, slower in reaching sexual maturity than the control progeny. The difference between the ages at maturity of the F.D.O. and control progeny was significant in five out of nine cases, and that between the ages of the F.D.I. and their control progeny was significant in eight out of 11 instances.” These findings apply to the three breeds used in the trials, viz., White Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, and White Leghorns. The averages for White Wyandottes were:—

This table also illustrates the further finding that “the progeny from the brother-sister matings were inclined to be longer in reaching maturity than the progeny from outbred matings.” In considering these figures it is im portant to realize that in the case of the brother-sister and F.D.O. (fatherdaughter outbred) matings, only one stage of in-breeding was involved; in the F.D.I. (father-daughter inbred) there were two (itself and the antecedent brother-sister from which it was derived). It would be wrong to assume that further doses of inbreeding would necessarily lead to greater deterioration. A current series of experimentation with the continuous close in-breeding of White Leghorns is expected to throw light on what is likely to happen in later stages. It has been demonstrated conclusively by many workers that rate of maturity is a heritable character. In any case, the very fact that it can be developed and maintained in a flock from year to year is sufficient evidence that it is so. Precocity is a very troublesome trait in a flock. While it is true that such birds will lay heavily, it is, as a rule, at the expense of egg size; and the tooearly maturity precludes normal de-

velopment of body weight which makes them unfit for use subsequently as breeders. Moreover, it is seldom, and then only under the most expert management, that an autumn moult can be avoided. The sequel—no winter eggs. The converse case of delayed sexual development is equally unprofitable, for the non-productive rearing process is protracted, and the whole programme of egg supply may be seriously deranged during an important period of the poultry year. Very often, too, late maturers are slow in coming through the moult, and this, in turn,- detracts from their value as producers in their second season. A CLEAN UP

A thorough clean-up now will save heavy losses later. Red mite and other parasites not only torment the birds during the night but are believed to convey disease from one that is ailing to others that have hitherto been healthy. Thorough creosoting of the perches and the sockets or supports on which they rest leaves them clean and if done in the morning of a sunny day the creosote is dry by the evening. If there are houses to spare, it is better to give each one in turn a complete rest while it is being cleaned and overhauled to make it weatherproof and sanitary for the winter.

Among the first houses to receive attention should be those in which the most forward pullets are to be placed. The young birds need time to settle down before they start to lay as if moved too late they are likely to go into a moult, which would seriously affect autumn production. It is essential their new quarters should be free from any contamination left by older birds.

Troughs, hoppers, drinking fountains and other vessels should have a thorough overhaul, followed by scalding. If particles of food are left in crevices and cracks and not removed they make troughs, and particularly hoppers, sour and generally unpleasant. Any falling off in egg production can be checked by the precautions mentioned, but the most important safeguard is to provide all the nutriment needed by the birds which have been laying. A mixture composed of three parts of weatings, two parts each of home-milled bran and maize meal and one part of white-fish meal supplies all that is needed, and a layer eating about 2J ounces of this mixture daily will have every assistance in keeping up a good regular output.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS MASSEY COLLEGE (28th week)

PAPANUI (27th WEEK) TEST No. I.—J. H. SHAW MEMORIAL CHALLENGE (for light and heavy breeds, single penned).

I TEST No. 2—WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN TEST (each competitor to enter three pure-bred pullets to be single

TEST No. 3.—BLACK ORPINGTON AND AUSTRALORPS (competitor to enter three birds).

TEST No. 4.—ANY VARIETY LIGHT OR HEAVY BREEDS, OTHER THAN WHITE LEGHORNS OR BLACK OR-

TEST No. S.—SINGLE HEN TEST, LIGHT AND HEAVY BREEDS (each competitor to enter six pure-bred pullets to be single penned).

*8 « PS PS J £ X J £ US o 5 X J tl M cu * PS 5 PU 1934 202 178 186 179 1935 208 178 191 181

y a s g ■§' «.s 0 M >, < a bi c i d < F.D.O. 237 F.D.O. control 200 F.D.I. 240 F.D.I. control 213 B. and S. 216 Outbred 202

Single Light Breeds A. C. Mumbv (W.L.) 4 149 J. Wilson (W.L.) 6 148 W. Scott (W.L.) 5 145 ♦A. A. Hoare (W.L.) 4 141 O. Markland (W.L.) 5 134 J. A. Allan (W.L.) 4 133 Single Heavy Breeds Miss E. I. Stonier (R.I.R.) 6 163 Miss E. I. Stomer (R.I.R) 6 155 Mrs M. L. Douglas (B.O.) 5 151 Mrs R. Willers (B.O.) 5 7.46 Mrs W. J. Huxtable (B.O.) 4 135 Light Breeds (six birds) H. A. Lucas (W.L.) 22 753 Ancona Stud P.F. (W.L.) 25 682 Mrs G. E. Sewell (W.L.) 27 642 C. L. Urquhart (W.L.) 26 570 S. G. Batten (W.L.) 23 542 Heavy Breeds (six birds) L. G. Hooper (B.O.) 31 770 W. A. Larsen (A.O.) 24 727 F. A. Dewhurst (R.I.R.) 19 659 Aust P.F. (B.O.) 24 646 AUCKLAND (26th week) Heavy Breed (six birds) Huxtable Bros (B.O.) 37 742 H. Harrison (Blk. Lang) 15 679 N. Ross (A.O.) 33 621 *W. Worthington (B.O.) 33 585 *Mrs M. Howarth (B.O.) 30 561 Light Breeds (six birds) ♦J. B. Guy (W.L.) 27 665 W. Spencer (W.L.) 30 625 Argyle P.F. (W.L.) 35 607 Whenuapai P.F. (W.L.) 33 582 ♦I. Ingham (W.L.) 31 557 Single (all breeds) E. Wills (B.O.) 7 146 N. Ross (A.O.) 5 145 Ancona Stud P.F. (A.O.) 6 144 G. W. Hawkins (W.L.) 7 137 W. G. Crabb (B.O.) 5 136 Light Breeds (four birds) Mrs L. Stukleman (W.L.) 23 510 H. Turner (W.L.) 25 474 W. Spencer (W.L.) 23 468 H. Mumme (W.L.) 24 464 D. G. Hooper (W.L.) 26 453 Heavy Breeds (four birds) K. A. Powell (B.O.) 24 589 C. I. Hardinge (B.O.) 24 528 Mrs N. Ross (B.O.) 23 527 Mrs D. Edwards (B.O.) 25 520 P. Douglas (B.O.) 24 514 Ducks (four birds) Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 27 652 W. T. Gilmour (K.C.) 27 648 *Mrs D. R. Simson (K.C.) 20 620 L. Ayling (K.C.) 20 594 S. Clark (K.C.) 24 569 TARANAKI (28th week) Single Heavy Breeds G. Edge (R.I.R.) 5 171 Mrs H. Moreland (A.O.) 6 167 N. Ross (B.O.) 7 166 J. H. Hurdle (A.O.) 6 158 Mrs D. M. Waddell (B.O.) 4 154 Light Breeds (single) Mrs A. W. Revell (W.L.) 6 161 J. I. Hazelwood (W.L.) 6 147 Sunny River P.F. (W.L.) 6 146 Sunny River P.F. (W.L.) 4 138 Ducks (single) Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 7 194 Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 7 187 Mrs A. W. Revell (F.W.R.) 7 176 Heavy Breed (three birds) Mrs H. Moreland (A.O.) 15 414 N. Ross (B.O.) 16 411 G. Edge (R.I.R.) 14 403 Mrs F. Warren (B.O.) 15 343 W. Larsen (A.O.) 16 329 Light Breeds (three birds) Sunny River P.F. (W.L.) 14 398 W. Scott (W.L.) 17 366 Mrs A. W. Revell (W.L.) 15 343 M. Stephenson (W.L.) 14 313 J. I. Hazelwood (W.L.) 11 309

Weekly total Total C. Miln (A.O.) 6 80 J. R. Griffen (L.S.) 5 121 C. N. Goodman (A.O.) (1) 6 112 C. N. Goodman (A.O.) (2) 2 50 D. J. Hawke (B.O.) 4 118 Miss F. Kerr (A.O.) 4 57 S. F. Marshall (A.O.) 5 135 W. N. Jepson (A.O.) 6 92 J. Gunn (A.O.) 6 96 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.) 5 124 J. Brennan . 6 57 Ted Turner 6 119 H. Whyte (1) 5 142 H. Whyte (2) 5 125 Mrs C. J. Collings 5 86 G. Wright 5 103 D. J. Hawke 6 57 M. C. Mills' 131 Miss F. Kerr 6 122 J. Hamilton 6 65 Miss H. Keddell 6 130 J. Ibbotson (No. 1) 3 81

E. Tilley 6 84 1 F. C. Innes 4 123 | W. E. Harvey 3 67 A. C. Goodlet 6 89 R. West 6 99 H. Williams (No. 1) 5 118 Mrs J. Still (No. 1) 6 75 A. Lucas (No. 1) 5 107 H. Williams (No. 2) 6 119 W. E. Ward 6 106 J. Liggins 4 115 E. P. Anderson (No. 1) 7 80 W. Barrell 5 75' J. Ibbotso" (No. 2) 6 108 Mrs J. St” (No. 2) 6 97 A. Lucas (No. 2) 6 139 T. Cairns 6 134 L. P. Hawke 6 119 J. H. Graham 6 110 T. B. Grant 5 70 T. S. Dove 4 122 Green Bros. 5 87 C. A. B. Williams 3 123 E. P. Anderson (No. 2) 7 104 Mrs B. Andrews 6 76

penned). Grand total G. Millar (No. 1) 139 107 124 Mrs F. D. Dillon 119 75 86 Mrs B. Snelling 86 97 133 A. W. Pritchard 92 123 123 F. Ashworth 112 120 100 D. J. Hawke 75 139 137 Miss F. Kerr 75 131 59 S. F. Marshall 100 102 95 G. H. Bradford (No. 1) 81 130 132 W. M. Evans 144 14382 Miss H. Keddell 106 81 100 J. Brennan 18 78 89 G. H. Bradford (No. 2) 104 126 87 L. Brumby 126 149 111 Mrs J. A. Ritchie 132 119 108 E. Tilley 136 115 92 P. Knight 106 136 141 F. C. Innes 79 89 89 Green Bros. 84 133 133 A. C. Goodlet 149 126 143 A. D. Whyte 76 65 103 J. H. Jones 100 111 98 H. Williams (No. 1) 96 52 120 H. Williams (No. 2) 103 150 103 J. Liggins (No. 1) 111 45 124 J. Liggins (No. 2) 98 116 119 A. Edwards 122 110 92 J. B. Lees 69 114 138 A. S. Cormack 89 84 144 T. S. Dove 135 105 101 A. O. Oakley 146 158 105 W. Turner 81 137 109 E. Fuchs 128 122 112 Argyle Poultry Farm 126 89 101 Mrs B. Andrews 105 132 98

A. S. Cormack (A.O.) 147 70 140 Miss F. Kerr (A.O.) 41 73 75 S. Brumby (A.O.) (No. 1) 67 63 44 S. Brumby (A.O.) (No. 2) 112 130 139 D. J. Hawke (B.O.) 98 135 106 L. Brumby (A.O.) 49 85 57 C. O. King (A.O.) 150 139 147 B. Cotterell (A.O.) 90 126 22 K. D. Martin (A.O.) 102 145 119 W. N. Jepson (A.O.) 98 135 81 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.) (No. 1) 89 139 119 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.) (No. 2) 110 117 143 D. A. Tutton 37 63 29

PINGTONS. R. Pearce (A.) 77 57 94 A. W. Pritchard (B.L.) 32 122 110 E. R. Buckley (R.I.R.) 117 134 125 W. J. Scott (R.I.R.) 102 130 154 T. B. Grant (R.I.R.) 99 70 76 C. Stone (R.I.R.) 136 102 114 P. A. Cornish (L.S.) 97 91 39 TEST No. 6.—SINGLE DUCK TEST. F. Ashworth (K.C.) 124 161 152 G. Wright (K.C.) 107 123 180 Mrs C. J. Collings (K.C.) 170 138 91 J. W. Thomson (K.C.) 14 117 169 R. J. Vallance (K.C.) 125 54 98 A. G. F. Ross (I.R.) 160 125 178 L. Williams (I.R.) 133 148 136 W. A. Toon (K.C.) 120 127 163

Weekly total Total G. Millar 19 405 D. A. McKie (A.O.) 37 590 S. E. Davey & Sons (No. 1) 37 679 J. Liggins 27 587 E. F. Butler 30 580 L. G. Ancall 28 674 G. H. Bradford (No. 1) 23 559 G. H. Bradford (No. 2) 35 769 G. H. Bradford (No. 3) 33 609 S. E. Davey & Sons (No. 2) 35 602 Mrs B. Andrews 33 609 E. Tilley 35 614 G. H. Mitchell 31 643 S. E. Davey & Sons (No. 3) 30 776 T. S. Dove (No. 1) 32 630 H. Williams 35 698 D. A. McKie 30 719 Calder Bros. (No. 1) 32 582 Calder Bros. (f{o. 2) 27 677 T. S. Dove (No. 2) 27 583 E. P. Anderson 33 666 A. D. Russell 32 690 G. D. Hollyman 33 641