The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1034, 26 July 1930, Page 28

The Poultry Yard

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.)

THE TWO-OUNCE EGG

DURING the last few years the poultry-keeping public has taken a keen interest in laying records. The 300-egg-a----year layer has been boomed and glorified, and in many cases I do not think the public ever troubled to ascertain whether the 300 eggs averaged 2oz apiece or only l-Joz, or whether the bird was of any practical value afterward, more especially for breeding purposes. This interest in laying records has been largely responsible for a pronounced tendency to exaggerate utility ideals, and even for a good deal of misrepresentation in the description of utility stock.

The conditions arising out of the glorification of the individual superlayer are by no means favourable for the development of the egg-producing industry on commercial lines, which, after all is said and done, is the chief purpose in the breeding of utility poultry. WHAT TO AIM AT To produce the greatest possible number of marketable eggs, and to maintain the productive and progenital vigour of their flocks, should be the aim of all who engage in che breeding of laying stock, and if it can be shown that laying trials and contests are alienating breeders from this practical purpose, it will constitute a grave charge against these tests, which have, we are convinced, rendered valuable service to the in dustry in stimulating interest in the breeding of better stock. There is no more serious menace to the pro gress of commercial egg production than the increasing predominance nf the small egg. We have only to glance through the reports of the lay lng contests to realise how prevalent this failing s among stock bred for heavy production. Every allowance can be made for pullets in laying contests for com parative immaturity, and for other circumstances that might be regarded as direct causes of small eggs. How ever, I fail to see that anything can excuse those breeders who send out under-sized eggs for hatching, though the transaction may permit of explanation. EFFECT OF BREEDING For instance, one may be tempted by a breeder’s advertisement of a very select pen containing birds with great laying records, and one makes a pur chase, only to find that the eggs fail to scale the normal 2oz apiece, which is surely a very moderate minimum for eggs from matured hens. But what is the permanent effect of breed ing from birds of this class? Is it not evidence in the large proportion of small eggs recorded in laying tests? I am not suggesting that the experienced professional breeder is so blind to his interests as to raise stock from hens that have nothing more than big laying records to their credit. But competition has raised the standard of productiveness to such an extent that many people who are in the habit of buying eggs demand these high records as an essential qualification and the breeder is not to be blamed for competing with his fellows lu making bids for public custom. The small-egg menace can only bo overcome by a more general under-

standing of its causes, and the public must take a hand with the breeders in discounting the importance of heavy laying records unless they are accompanied by exceptional physical character and reasonable egg size. If there are individuals capable of producing 300 2oz eggs in a year and of retaining a high standard of physical vigour, we may be sure that breeders will make good use of them. How ever, to assume that every hen which lays 300 eggs in a year, irrespective of the size of the eggs, is to be regarded as a desirable breeder is a policy which can only lead to disaster REMOVING THE CAUSES It is, however, gratifying to know that several of our leading breeders are working with the express purpose of defeating the small-egg menace. To what extent the question is bound up with that of breed characters remains to be seen. I am well aware there are direct as well as indirect causes of small eggs. Even pullets bred from the large egg strains may fail in this respect through errors in feeding and management, and such failures cannot be laid to the account of breeders. But first ind foremost, it 'should be the business of all who engage in specialist breeding for egg production to remove what may be called the indirect 'causes, such as breeding from hens with high laying records with out regard to vigour and egg size, and breeding from immature pullets. No breeder should endeavour to develop any breed for his own particular purpose. EGG-EATING AND ITS CURE There is nothing more annoying and ruinous than to have egg-eaters in the flock. Whenever there is any suggestion of eggs being eaten by the hens a watch should be kept in order to discover the culprit, so as to check the vice before it becomes general, in which case serious losses may occur. This bad habit is usually caused by over-crowding, lack of exercise and the use of nests that are low to the ground and too light. The habit rarely is found among a flock that is on free range, or that is given proper housing and a well-balanced ration. It is sometimes caused by giving too much grain, when the hens eat the eggs in an effort to obtain meat food. As a rule, the hen first acquires the taste for eggs by pecking at a soft-shelled egg or one that has been broken in the nest. It is hard to cure a hen of this habit, when once she has acquired a taste for the eggs. It you wish to try breaking the bird of the habit, the most successful

STRATFORD SHOW

methods are either to use a number of china eggs or loaded eggs in your nest, where the bird will be sure to find them. After several unsuccessful attacks on the eggs the hens will probably become discouraged and leave the rest of them alone. The most effective way of preventing hens from acquiring the habit is to give a balanced ration and plenty of exercise, to build nests dark and about two feet from the floor, and construct them so that there is no danger of the eggs being scratched out on the floor and broken. WHERE DUCK KEEPING WILL PAY The keeping of ducks for egg production is becoming so general that we now frequently see Indian Runners and Khaki Campbells and other laying' breeds confined in very small enclosures. This means that the birds which, under natural conditions, are great foragers, have to be provided with all their food. Nevertheless, there is ample proof that even under these conditions they can be made to pay, so that when they can be kept in circumstances that tend to greater economy and productiveness, they should yield a handsome profit. The ideal conditions for the keeping of laying ducks a e to be found on a farm where they can have free range. To the busy farmer they represent a more economical proposition than hens for egg production, because they need very little attention and their accommodation is of the simplest, consisting of a well-ventilated outhouse, with a dry floor or a low house, costing one third the price of a scratchingshed for an equal number of hens.

The Stratford, Show as usual, provided excellent competition in the poultry section. Entries in the fancy section were not quite so numerous as last year but were more than compensated Cor by the quality of the exhibits and the increased entry in the utility section Mr. Hicks, Otane, judged the fancy section and Mr. R. D. Whyte, Palmers ton North, the utility section This was Mr. Whyte’s first appointment as a judge of all classes, and from reports to hand, he acquitted himself remarkably well.

In the fancy section Minorcas were a good lot, the winning pullet being of outstanding merit. Orpington cocker els and pullets were above the aver age, the loose-feathered specimens being conspicuous by their absence Silver Wyandottes were a strong lot. the winning pullet being a well-laced specimen. In Taranaki probably more Light Sussex are bred than in any other part of the Dominion, consequently, competition was keen and provided one of the finest exhibitions of Sussex seen in the North Island this season. The winning cockerel and pullet in the fancy classes and the winning cock in the utility section were birds of outstanding merit. Util ity Minorca cockerels were a strong class, the winner displaying great breed type. Utility White Leghorns are another breed in which the Taranaki breeders hold a strong hand. Their birds are not only up to standard weight, but combine show points with egg production, and among those exhibited at this year’s show were some of the best specimens seen this season. Rosecomb and Black Peking bantam classes were good, the win ning cockerel in the Rosecomb class

GENERAL NOTES

PERSONAL NOTES

being an excellent specimen with good head points and good flow of feather. Pekings were large classes, some birds of outstanding merit being exhibited among the Blacks.

The executive of the Auckland Game Club is looking forward to a record entry for this year's event. Already entries have been received front prac tic-ally every part of the North Island Messrs. W. Wilson and E. J. R. McLaren have been appointed judges. The following are the totals of the leading birds in the Taranaki egg-lay-ing test, to and including the 15r.1t week: White Leghorns.—Gibbons Bros No. 1, 92 eggs; Gibbons Bros.’ No. 2, 73 eggs; R. Cannon’s No. 2, 72 eggs Anconas. —W. B. Lee’s, 70 eggs. White Rocks.—K- M. Galvin's, 37 eggs. Rhode Island Reds.—A. J. Lacey's, 70 eggs. White Wyandottes.—Gibbons Bros. , 74 eggs. . Black Orpingtons.—V. L. Gane’s, 81 eggs. Light Sussex. —A. J. Davey’s, SI eggs. Fawn and White Runner Ducks.— T. Dowthwaite’s, 65 eggs. White Runners.—D. M. Waddells, 31 eggs. Khaki Campbells.—J. W. Garrick’s. 75 eggs. Three-bird Team Test. Light breeds: Gibbons Bros.’ White Leg horns, 216 eggs. Heavy breeds: Gib bons Bros.’ White Wyandottes, 173 eggs. The Auckland Game Club Show which is being held at Newmarket this week-end, is a popular event with Game fanciers in all parts ol the Dominion Over 300 exhibits will oe staged, en tries having been received from as cat distant as Christchurch, CartertoD, Nelson, Stratford, Te Puke. Tauranga and Hastings.

Mr. W. Bislt, Henderson, has ju&t forwarded trios of White Rocks, Black Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds to Mr. J. Turner, Suva. Both the White Rocks and Rhode Island Reds were exceptionally fine specimens, having been bred from Mr. Bish’s winners The Black Orpingtons, too, were typi cal specimens. Mr. J. Herberts, who has had a run of successes with his Black Minorcas in the show pen, finished up the season by annexing three cups at Stratford. viz., Taranaki Minorca, 10-guinea cup for best utility Minorca; Stratford Club Cup for best young bird, light breeds, utility section; Mrs. Stewart’s Cup, best young bird in show.