The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 26

The Poultry Yard

Advice to Breeders White Wyandottes

By

GEO. H. AMBLER.

CONCERNING the origin of the White Wyandotte—the truest and probably the purest of the great Wyandotte family—one need only be brief and state that though white sorts from silvers had been known an dbred from intermittently in America nearly a decade earlier, the first to be exhibited in England appeared in the early nineties.

JT cannot, however, be said that the white caught on immediately; indeed, it languished until the early part of the new century, since when—aided, perhaps, by the formation of its 'specialist club in 1903, and by the fact that its representatives won the Utility Poultry Club’s laying competitions just then —two years running and with record scores—its progress has been really remarkable, until to-day, taking the White Wyandotte as a fancier’s fowl as well as a utilitarian’s, there is no other variety that can compete with this in universal popularity. A GENERAL PURPOSE FOWL For many years past all Wyandotte men have looked to the white for guidance as to what they wanted in the way of true type. And rightly so. because the intricacies of wonderful pencilling or lacing have not to be considered by breeders and exhibitors of this self-coloured variety. This, by the way, is a great responsibility, not to be regarded lightly, and should force home upon breeders and judges alike the fact that, no matter how

perfect elsewhere, a White Wyandotte that is not typical should not be tolerated for one moment, either in the. exhibition or the breeding pen. ' We must not forget that the Wyandotte is essentially a general purpose fowl, and was designed to be the happy medium in everything. In this way the tendency to excess in any direction has been checked, and though from time to time coarseness and some other faults have held sway, it has not been the case with specialists and judges who know the real grace of true Wyandotte shape. THE COBBY TYPE

It is regrettable, in the writer’s opinion, that we do not hear that expressive term—cobby—used in connection with White Wyandotte shape so much to-day as we did 15 years or : more ago. Perhaps it is even more | regrettable that the present-day type I of exhibit is not really so cobby as it might be. Cobby means stout and sturdy, rather round and short-backed, not lanky, broad and deep, not pinched or flat anywhere. Cobbiness is essentially well set off by a typical Wyandotte comb; and combs are none too good even now. They need serious attention at the hands of breeders. First of all, let them be neat and following the curve of the head closely. Fairly broad at the base, in front, and gradually tapering until the tip of the leader is reached. We want “work,” it is true, but we would rather have a succession of pin point spikes, if even and symmetrical, than a few long, odd points sticking up here and there. Leafy, corrugated (with hollows), lopsided, Hamburgh, Redcap or Malay types of comb are all bad, and nearly always perpetuate themselves in breedTHE IDEAL Observe the Wyandotte Club’s ideril male: He is weighty, yet graceful and active. Above all, he is in no way angular, view him in any position you will. His feathers seem to flow in one rhythmic whole from neck hackle to tail; it is hard to see where the hackle merges into the back plumage, and the tail emerges from the saddle feathering. He is broad-chested, full fronted, deep-bodied and nearly as wide across the saddle as he is at the shoulders. His wings are carried well up. but not too close to the body. His tail is shortish and very well spread—not pinched to a point, nor having long and sweeping sickles and hangers. His stern fluff is fairly abundant and serves to complete the harmony of the well-rounded whole. Of thigh one can see a distinct trace, but only an inch or so visible when he is at rest, otherwise we should have him approaching the lanky. There! What a picture he is with his brilliant head points, his bright bay eye. and the even yellow of his shanks and feet!

His mate. too. is one of the daintiest creatures imaginable until she has got into the “sere and yellow” stage. Here again, the necessary grace, quality and symmetry of her outline will be spoiled to some extent unless well set off by a neat close-fitting comb. Away with coarseness, especially of that kind that generally goes with a fat, gullety, thick-necked headpiece! There are equally no straight lines in this ideal pullet. She is well rounded everywhere (but not dumpy), has a suspicion of cushion, from which a short wedge-shaped tail protrudes, and is flat nowherey view her from what angle you will. Cobby, but not so cloddy that she waddles rather than swings gracefully along. Tn other respects she is an apt complement to her mate. POT WASTERS As to colour, there is not much to be said, for this is so good all round nowadays that one can safelv convey fo the pot as a waster any young cockerel that shows sign* s of a yellow top before he is five months old. Some strains pre so prepotent as regards a stay white plumage that it is particularly unnecessary to shade the youngsters intended for show, and an eld male that has weathered a season in Ihe breeding pen will scarcely show a sign of tan. Tes. colour is undoubtedly an hereditary feature*, hence, if von possess - white male bird stick to him. fr "' he will prove invaluable n breeder. EASY TO BREED TCo verv intricate tins are necessary for the novice to master before he can hope to breed a p-ood chicken or two for showing. Probablv White ’Dottes are the easiest to breed of all varieties, for the rules are onite straightforward and obvious To the new hand I would sav. “Start with a trio or quartet consisting of a cockerel and two-vear-old hens of the same strain. Above ail. see that the cockerel is white and typical, and if vou can afford it give nearly as much money for him as for the rest of the pen nut together. Trap-nest the youngsters, find out which lmn gives the best chickens, and start making a line from these two birds. Remember that the best chickens of the year are nearly always

hatched between the end of July and the beginning of September. Go

slowly at first and do not try for quantity instead of quality. Do not sell your best birds.

White Wyandottes are so wonderfully adaptable that they practically never require much pen-training, and show themselves off more naturally than any other kind of poultry. Perhaps one is prejudiced, but there never has been, or will be, any variety to touch the White Wyandotte in my humble opinion, regard the ideal required of a fowl in whatever way one will. PERCHES If there is anything in the poultry house that requires careful attention it is the perches. On these the liens spend about half their time. The instinct of self-preservation prompts fowls to perch on the highest , ossible point when settling down for the night. They naturally wish to be above danger from below. For this reason the perches in a fowl-house should all. be on the* same level, otherwise crowding will take place every night with disastrous results. The perches should be low, not alone because fowls are apt to injure themselves when flying down from high roosts, but because low perches permit of better ventilation. The most impure air in a poultry-house is near the roof. The lower air is purer, more plentiful, and more health-giving than at the top of the house. Eighteen inches to feet above the floor is plenty high enough to place the roosts for the convenience of most fowls, unless dropping-boards are used when the boards must be about 2ft* Gin. above the floor and the pe-Mies Gin. above them. , , Perches should be built so that they do not really touch the walls of the house at any place. When they d d so it is much easier for lice to thrive. The fewer cracks and crevices wherein lice may find a lodging place about the perches the better. Perches should be movable, in order that thev may be taken out of the house and periodically cleaned. GENERAL NOTES PERSONAL Mr. W. Bish, Henderson, who for many years lias been a successful competitor in the Mount Albert laying tests also a foremost exhibitor in White Rocks at the shows, made his debut as an exhibitor of Old English game at Pukekohe, winning the Challenge Cup for best Old English Game in the show, with a typical Bantam cockerel. Mr. W. A. Hanson, Auckland, left on Wednesday night for Hastings, where he will judge all clkses of poultry, both fancy and utility. The death of Mr. George Butcher, Christchurch, took place during the week. Mr. Butcher had one of the best studs of Black Orpingtons in the South Island. All fanciers will join us in tendering our sympathy to his relatives.

Mr. Crowhurst, Stanley Bay, who, prior to his coming to Hew Zealand, was one of the leading homing pigeon breeders and judges in England, is proving a valuable asset to the Auckland Club. Apart from his being a useful member of the club’s executive, he has made an entry of 36 homing pigeons for next week’s show. This, we should imagine, is a record entry for one breeder. ADDRESS AT PUKEKOHE Mr. E. C. Jarrett, Government instructor, gave a most instructive and interesting address in poultry-keeping at Pukekohe on Thursday. Although the weather was wet there was a good attendance. Mr. Jarrett emphasised the need for maintaining true breed type—a combination of beauty and utility. Demonstrations were given with drawings of poultry in the different stages of egg production. Personally, we think the time- is opportune for the Government to provide their instructors with lantern slides as these would have more education value than ordinary drawings. It is evident the Government lias not yet realised how vitally important it is that it should co-operate with its instructors in their efforts to educate the amateur poultry-keeper. For many years the poultry industry has been cue of the most important branches of agriculture, yet the claims of poultry-keepers have, time and again, been practically ignored by the Government. The claims of other primary industries and those engaged in them have been given every consideration, yet the poultry industry is still in many ways the “Cinderella of agriculture.” Poultry keepers need more assistance from the Government to enable them to build up an export trade. It will also mean larger and more virile societies, better support for shows promoted by them, and, last but not least, the betterment of the whole industry. Too long has it been the “Cinderella of agriculture.” The time has come when its status must be raised —there is no fairy prince—the Government must do it. SHOW ITEMS

Mr. J. Nixon, Auckland, has been appointed judge of all classes of poultry at Hawera.

Mr. W. A. Hanson’s (Auckland) Silver Wyandotte pullet was awarded the challenge cup for Best Bird in the fancy section at the Pukekohe show. Mr. T. Sparkes’s (Auckland) Fantails won all the specials in the Fancy Pigeon classes. Changes have been so rapid in the poultry industry in recent years that many old-time poultry-keepers have the idea that there are fewer poultry shows than in former years, and that all poultry shows will soon be a thing of the past.

A comparison of the list of shows ten or twenty years ago and the list of this year will show that poultry shows are more numerous than ever and there is a reason. The reason is that they have a. definite place in the poultry industry, and. without them, all would soon be chaos and confusion. We must have high ideals and standards before us, and we cannot obtain them for poultry unless forward looking men and women attend them. Entries are coming in well for the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club’s Show, to be held in the Drill Hall, Wellesley Street, on Thursday and Friday next. Entries have been received from practically every part of the North Island, and it is anticipated that close upon 800 exhibits will be staged. Aucklanders will, therefore, have an opportunity of seeing some of the finest feathered stock in the Dominion. Everybody who can do so, should try to pay a visit to at least one poultry show a year, whether he be an exhibitor or not, and those who can make it convenient to visit the Auckland show will have something to think about for a whole year, and nothing could give them such pride and confidence in the industry—of which they may be a very small' unit —as to see the wonderful array of poultry, pigeons and canaries as will be seen at this show. We have frequently pointed out that Auckland should have the finest show in the Dominion. This can only be achieved if the club’s executive receive the support and co-operation of all interested in the feathered tribe.