POULTRY NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23442, 24 February 1938, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

BY

A. PEAT

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

J. H., Otapiri:—American Bronze is the most popular variety of turkey but none of them is easy to rear in this climate. If you keep them away from the poultry you will have more success on clean ground where no fowls are running. Mr R. Folley presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Invercargill Poultry Club on Saturday evening when Mr S. Robson gave an address on the proposed standard for the judging of racing homers. “The standard in my opinion has been very well drawn up and undoubtedly gives an excellent impression of the type of pigeon required for the show pen,” Mr Folley said. The standard gave no absolute help in size for a big bird could easily have all the qualifications required under the standard but yet be too big for racing purposes. It was admitted that some big pigeons had proved their ability in races but in the main the pigeon of medium size was the best type for racing. It was now general to find the large bird winning and it must be remembered that in mileage classes, particularly if a bird has flown the distance, it must be judged accordingly and not under any idea of what the judge might think of its flying ability. The scale of points suggested in the standard did not, in his opinion, cover the necessary ground. No mention was made of points for appearance in the pen which was most important. A pigeon should be trained to show itself Off in the pen and not to fly about the pen wildly when the judges stick came near it. Another important weakness of the scale of points was that no provision was made for condition. The standard mentioned that condition was all important and that was correct. The scale of points also made no reference to colour of the exhibit. While it was admitted that a bird of any colour might fly very well but a poor colour in the show pen should penalize any pigeon, it did not matter what the colour was provided it was strong of its kind. A washy colour was definitely a show weakness.

Mr J. Cooke also gave some valuable suggestions and it was decided that:

(1) The colour of a pied homer shall be a bird of any sound colour broken With white flights to be noticeable when the bird is standing in the pen. (2) Points for judging shall be: Appearance and behaviour in the pen 25; body 25; condition 20; colour 10: feather 15; eye 5; head 10; neck 5; legs and feet 5; total 120.

DUBBING COCKERELS Dubbing of cockerels with heavy combs should be attended to. Wattles damaged in fighting should also be dubbed. There is no doubt that a dubbed cock will give better fertility over a longer period than one undubbed, although, of course, there are exceptions. Dubbing is a simple operation. Hold the bird firmly by the legs and wings; grasp the comb in the left hand; with a sharp knife in the right hand cut the comb firmly from rear to front, a short distance above the base of the comb. Scissors can be used instead of a knife. Dip the head in cold water after the operation or dress with Friar’s Balsam. The bleeding generally stops in a few minutes without any dressing. Inspect the birds dubbed regularly during the rest of the day and dress anv which continue to bleed. A little burnt paper or flour sprinkled on the cut will often have effect. In cutting the wattles take care not to cut into the skin of the throat. DESTROYING LICE To get rid of lice, a Canadian poultryman bored holes in the perches at intervals of about six inches and inserted a moth ball in each hole. Recent visitors to'Denmark say that when the Danes found that the British bacon quota reduced their pig population and left quantities of skim milk unused, they turned that excellent feeding material into a profitable outlet by increasing their stocks of poultry for egg production. Hence while sending less bacon to the British market, they are now sending more eggs. These Danish eggs are produced not on specialist poultry holdings, but on the general farms of Denmark, where poultry health is easier to maintain.

It is difficult to estimate average egg yields a hen, but they seem to have been about 125 eggs in the Netherlands, 120 in the United Kingdom, 95 to 100 in Canada, 90 in Germany, and 80 in America.

Canadian frozen poultry, is giving satisfaction on the 'English market. The Sumatran hen, although half the size' of the ordinary hen, lays eggs twice the size. A British breeder has hatched some chickens from eggs laid on board ship by the white Autralorps, sent from South Africa to the Dairy Show, while they were on their way to England for the New Breeds class. One British breeder of turkeys keeps these birds for an unusual reason, namely for the feathers which he uses in his ancient craft of arrow-making and which are used for fixing on the ends of the arrow shafts. SEBRIGHT BANTAMS The beautiful gold and silver laced bantam, known as the Sebright, produced by Sir John Sebright about the year 1800, is a cross between the common Bantam of that period with the Polish fowl, which at that time was the only silver-laced fowl in existence, and it was bred in and in until the requisite smallness was achieved. Sir John then accidentally found a shorttailed Bantam cock, which was crossed with his stock, and thus produced the short-tailed Bantam as seen at the present period. Later, he purchased a buff-coloured Bantam hen and a cock inclined to be red in colour, with a henlike hackle and destitute of sickle feathers. These features, no doubt, assisted him in producing the Golden Sebright Bantam. In the year 1815, Sir John Sebright formed a Sebright Bantam Club, which was probably the first poultry club in existence. This club met annually on the first Tuesday in February, in Brick Lane, London, later transferring to Gray’s Inn Coffee House, Holborn. The Sebright Bantam is exhibited in two colours, gold and silver, the former generally being of a bright, pure golden colour, of a lighter shade than is usually seen in Golden Wyandottes. This colour in conjunction with the beautiful black lacing, makes a most charming ensemble. The colour of the silver variety, being pure white with the black lacing, is an exquisite specimen of what the breeders’ art can produce. The Sebright Bantam has a rose comb, which originally was designed to be on the lines of the Black Rosecomb Bantam, with a leader having an upward tendency, but during the last fifty years it has developed less work in the comb, and a short leader with a downward turn at the back. Originally the deaf ear, or as termed today, the ear lobe, was intended to be

white, as in the Black Rosecomb, yet this has now become standardized as permanently red. When white ear I^°® S appear, tire lacing is usually poor. The comb, wattles and face of the Sebright Bantam should be dark purple or dull red, this being a peculiar characteristic of the breed.

The lacing of Sebright Bantams has a tendency to grow weaker, if a strain is continually in-bred. This has been remedied by breeding from heavilylaced birds, or crossing golds and silvers together, or even using a cross of Black Rosecombs to increase the density of lacing. When crossing golds and silvers together, the progeny come either pure gold or silver, this being a demonstration of sex linkage, as recently further developed by Professor Punnett, of Cambridge University, England. A peculiarity of the Sebright Bantam is the motion of the head and neck, which, when the bird is startled, assume a tremulous motion, similar to the action associated with the Fantail pigeon. Another feature of this breed of bantams is the large quantity of cocks which are infertile, the number being probably 90 per cent., the reason usually being debited to the short sickle and the shortness of back. In the exhibition males, it has always been considered that a cock with-a sickle an inch longer than the natural hen tail was a sure breeder. Whilst on this topic, we became associated with Professor Agar, of Melbourne University, in an experiment with Silver Sebright Bantams, and that was feeding thyroid gland to Sebright chickens, which resulted in 90 per cent, of the male chickens reared having the long sickle feather, denoting increased fertility; yet we have known short-tailed cocks that gave excellent fertility, but they are very rare. BIRD NOTES

Canaries and small cage birds are liable to become infested with red-mite and lice during the breeding season, and also with body lice, which are equally injurious to their health. Unlike red-mite, lice infest the body of the bird and give little indication of their presence except that the bird is very restless. The fact that there is so little indication of the presence of the lice adds to the danger as they increase in numbers very rapidly. How they appear on the bodies of the birds and why some birds are attacked and others are not is difficult to explain. When a bird is found to be suffering from the presence of lice the following treatment should be given: wrap the bird in a piece of clean white material soaked in turpentine and leave for about five minutes. When the material is removed the insects will be seen adhering to it. A more modem method is to impregnate thoroughly the feathers and Under-fluff of the bird with a good insect powder, which can be purchased from a chemist or bird shop. Then place the bird in a cage, the floor of which is covered with a piece of white paper. The insects, stupefied by the powder, fall into the paper, which can be removed and burnt. These insects can play havoc with a stock of young birds in a very short time and fanciers are strongly advised to inspect very closely any bird that appears restless either during the day or night. Fanciers are as a rule loth to admit that their birds are infested. They seem to be under the impression that the presence of lice is due to neglect or filth, but this is not so, for these pests Will make their appearance in the cleanest of aviaries and breeding cages. To examine a bird for insects hold it in your hands before a window to be in a good light. Hold it so that the fingers encircle the breast. Move the fingers, raising them slightly, but not enough to let the bird escape, when a small dark object can be seen to dart underneath the outer feathers. Lice rarely come to the surface but seem to slide between the feathers as the pressure and warmth of the hand is released.

It is only in the hot weather and when breeding that one experiences insect infestation among cage birds. To guard against it, spray the aviaries during the breeding season, using a mixture of 13 cups of paraffin to 4 cups of sheep-dip. Spray about six times a month and this amount lasts three months. If you follow this practice you will be quite pleased with the result in the improvement in the condition and plumage of your birds. Another excellent method to keep down red mite in canaries and probably the best is to prepare quassia chips. Select a piece of quassia chip about the weight of a match. Place in two teaspoonfuls of cold water and let it macerate for approximately 15 minutes. Pour infusion into 1 cupful of water and employ as a bathing solution for the birds. Larger quantities in proportion can be prepared. Quassia chips are the chips and shavings or raspings of the wood picraena excelsa, habitat South America. The wood is dense, tough, porous, and of a pale yellowish white colour. The wood is inodorous, but has an intense and bitter taste.

A half teaspoonful of powdered allum dissolved in 2 cupfuls of water is also another bathing solution. Camphor hung in small muslin bags about the bird room is also helpful in keeping down red mite. EGG-LAYING CONTESTS TARANAKI (47th Week) Heavy Breed (single)

PAPANUI (46th week) TEST No. I.—J. H. SHAW MEMORIAL CHALLENGE. For light and heavy

TEST No. 2.—WHITE LEGHORN SINGLE HEN TEST. (Three purebred pullets, single penned) Grand Total.

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

TEST No. S—SINGLE HEN TEST, LIGHT AND HEAVY BREEDS. (Six purebred pullets single-penned.)

Mrs H. Morland (A.O.) 6 282 G. Edge (R.I.R.) 6 273 N. Ross (B.O.) 5 261 J. Hurdle (A.O.) 4 254 Mrs D. Waddell (B.O.) 5 248 Light Breed (single) J. Hazelwood (W.L.) 6 270 Sunny River (W.L.)’ 4 261 Mrs A. Revell (W.L.) 4 259 W. Scott (W.L.) 6 255 Whenuapai P.F. (W.L.) 6 243 Light Breeds (3 birds) W. Scott (W.L.) 14 646 Mrs A. Revell (W.L.) 9 613 C. Urquhart (W.L.) 7 594 Sunny River P.F. (W.L.) 4 590 Heavy Breeds (3 birds) N. Ross (B.O.) 13 666 Mrs H. Morland (A.O.) 9 659 S. Bason (Lang) 15 626 G. Edge (R.I.R.) 13 624 Mrs F. Warren (B.O.) 9 594 Ducks (single) Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 6 324 Mrs E. Kelly (K.L.) 6 312 Mrs A. Revell (F.W.R.) 2 290 Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 7 261 H. Melville (F.W.R.) 7 234 AUCKLAND (45th Week) Heavy Breeds (6 birds) Huxtable Bros. (B.O.) 29 1261 N. Ross (A.O.) 25 1128 H. Harrison (Lang) 10 1118 •Mrs M.' Howarth (B.O.) 25 1074 •W. Worthington (B.O.) 21 1054 Light Breeds (6 birds) W. Spencer (W.L.) 30 1223 Whenuapai P.F. (W.L.) 27 1180 ♦J. Guy (W.L.) 23 1178 Argyle (W.L.) 25 1176 ♦J. Manifold (W.L.) 30 1122

Single Birds (all breeds) *G. Hawkins (W.L.) 6 256 *H. Saunders (W.L.) 6 245 ♦Ancona P.F. (A.O.) 5 243 N. Ross (A.O.) 5 239 Mrs N. Ross (A.O.) 5 236 Light Breeds (4 birds) Mrs L. Stuhleman (W.L.) 21 876 H. Turner (W.L.) 17 874 W. Spencer (W.L.) 20 870 L. Hooper (W.L.) 15 829 H. Mumme (W.L.) 15 809 Heavy Breeds (4 birds) *K. Powell (B.O.) 15 983 *P. Douglas (B.O.) 16 908 *Mrs D. Edwards (B.O.) 15 894 ♦Mrs N. Ross (B.O.) 13 874 ♦Mrs E. Philson (B.O.) 23 870 Ducks (4 birds) Mrs E. Kelly (K.C.) 21 1124 W. Gilmour (K.C.) 24 1119 L. Ayling (K.C.) 15 996 S. Clark (K.C.) 14 974

breeds, single penned) Weekly total Total. C. Miln (A.O.) 4 138 J. R. Griffen (L.S.) 5 197 C. N. Goodman (A.O.) (1) 4 173 C. N. Goodman (A.O.) (2) 0 69 D. J. Hawke (B.O.) 3 200 Miss F. Kerr (A.O.) 3 127 W. N. Jepson (A.O.) 4 165 J. Gunn (A.O.) 5 199 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.) 4 226 J. Brennan 5 164 Ted Turner 3 191 H. Whyte (1) 1 194 H. Whyte (2) 4 217 Mrs C. J. Collings 5 182 G. Wright 3 196 M. C. Mills 6 219 Miss F. Kerr 5 221 J. Hamilton 4 167 Miss H. Keddell 5 226 J. Ibbotson (No. 1) 5 172 E. Tilley 3 200 F. C. Innes 0 203 A. C. Goodlet 5 195 R. West 0 190 H. Williams (No. 1) 5 215 Mrs J. Still (No. 1) 7 189 A. Lucas (No. 1) 5 204 H. Williams (No. 2) 7 245 W. E. Ward 5 206 J. Liggins 5 217 E. P. Anderson (No. 1) 2 148 W. Barrell 4 169 J. Ibbotson (No. 2) 6 214 Mrs J. Still (No. 2) 2 188 A. Lucas (2) 1 193 T. Cairns 4 236 L. P. Hawke 6 219 J. H. Graham 4 196 T. B. Grant 0 152 T. S. Dove 3 206 Green Bros. 5 180 C. A. B. Williams 4 189 E. P. Anderson (No. 2) 5 204 Mrs B. Andrews 5 170

G. Millar (No. 1) 246 155 202 Mrs F. D. Dillon 216 186 176 Mrs B. Snelling 164 180 246 A. W. Pritchard 194 200 211 F. Ashworth 206 224 208 D. J. Hawke 120 175 223 Miss F. Kerr 132 206 126 S. F. Marshall 198 153 198 G. H. Bradford (No. 1) 185 238 201 W. M. Evans 238 247 191 Miss H. Keddell 202 81 194 J. Brennan 43 157 186 G. H. Bradford (No. 2) 193 176 120 Mrs J. A. Ritchie 238 221 195 E. Tilley 258 200 202 P. Knight 205 242 241 Green Bros. 84 147 238 A. C. Goodlet 157 208 234 A. D. Whyte 177 187 210 J. H. Jones 204 126 199 H. Williams (No. 1) 196 52 217 H. Williams (No. 2) 207 206 179 J. Liggins (No. 1) 171 112 219 J. Liggins (No. 2) 146 208 221 A. Edwards 231 213 177 J. B. Lees 152 214 254 T. S. Dove 227 189 180 A. 0. Oakley 242 267 207 W. Turner 225 219 225 E. Fuchs 214 198 163 Argyle Poultry Farm 214 198 163 Mrs B. Andrews 198 170 206 TEST No. 3—BLACK ORPINGTONS AND AUSTRAL ORPS. Miss F. Kerr (A.O.) 109 142 166 S. Brumby (A.O.), (No. 1) 71 136 44 S. Brumby (A.O.), (No. 2) 168 231 228 D. J. Hawke (B.O.) 98 211 176 C. 0. King (A.O.) 246 215 235 B. Cotterell (A.O.) 116 224 22 K. D. Martin (A.O.) 190 216 202 W. N. Jepson (A.O.) 192 219 163 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.), (No. 1) 150 181 223 G. D. Hollyman (A.O.), (Nd. 2) 183 192 236

R. Pearce (A.) A. W. Pritchard (B.L.) E. R. Buckley (R.I.R.) 146 125 163 89 220 186 184 216 189 W. J. Scott (R.I.R.) 175 225 233 T. B. Grant (R.I.R.) 193 159 115 C. Stone (R.I.R.) 193 189 232 P. A. Cornish (L.S.) 188 147 39

Weekly total Total G. Millar 9 664 D. A. McKie (A.O.) 17 1064 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 1) 31 1252 J. Liggins 18 981 E. F. Butler 16 918 L. G. Ancall 23 1180 G. H. Bradford (No. 1) 8 847 G. H. Bradford (No. 2) 28 1363 G. H. Bradford (No. 3) 27 1224 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 2) 18 1102 Mrs B. Andrews 29 1167 E. Tilley 20 1135 G. H. Mitchell 18 1085 S. E. Davey and Sons (No. 3) 17 1320 T. S. Dove (No. 1) 30 1181 H. Williams 33 1317 D. A. McKie 22 1132 Calder Bros. (No. 1) 23 1012 Calder Bros. (No. 2) 22 1192 T. S. Dove (No. 2) 14 911 E. P. Anderson 24 1266 A. D. Russell 23 1223 G. D. Hollyman 15 1056 TEST No. 6—SINGLE DUCK F. Ashworth (K.C.) TEST. 242 268 252 G. Wright (K.C.) • 214 217 276 Mrs C. J. Collings (K.C.) 262 226 128 J. W. Thomson (K.C.) 14 229 296 R. J. Vallance (K.C.) 234 125 180 A. G. F. Ross (I.R.) 218 216 288 L. Williams (I.R.) 253 262 173 W. A. Toon (K.C.) 196 199 237