FEATHERED FANCY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 5

FEATHERED FANCY

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT

Mr S. H., Addington.—Many thanks for your letter. I have forwarded same on, and no doubt you will be communicated with in the course of a few days. —GRIT.

A very good proof of the general improvement of the laying abilities of our poultry, and the increased interest in the breeding of poultry, is the large number of enquiries for broody hens. I remember, not many seasons back, owner 3 were prepared to get rid of them at ordinary values; now they command higher rates and are eagerly sought after. In some instances owners Avill not sell, and on farms where sitting varieties are kept and not required, a broody coop is necessary, and one 4ft long by 2ft wide and 2ft in height will be large enough for three or four broodies. The floor should be constructed entirely of wooden bars about apart. After being enclosed for a day or so the broody hens will soon join the laying ranks.

You rarely hatch a champion from a sitting at half-a-crown.

I recently called on Mr J. Cummings, of Sydenham, and had a look at the progeny of the Bradley importation. Mr Cummings has been breeding direct from the imported trio, and at present has some two dozen chicks. The early ones which are well advanced are doing we'll, particularly the pullets, and the owner is more than pleased with them. They show promise of being big, and built on racy lines, with good, long backs, dark eyes, good legs, and promising lobes. With care they should give good accounts of themselves. The cockerels are not quite so forward. Mr Cummings has also mated with the Bradley cockerel the Pitt's hen of a previous importation. This hen is a cockerel breeder and the owner should get something good from the pen. These are all the stock birds that the fancier keeps. He believes in keeping a few and giving them every attention. A pair of Golden and a few English Pheasants are also stored at the yards.

I notice that Mr J. Craddock, of Selwyn Street, Addington, has some very nice Black Leghorns at his residence. If I remember right he got in the prize cards at the 1013 show, but unfortunately overlooked the entry date of the last exhibition.

The annual meeting of the United Pigeon Fanciers' Club will be held at the rooms on Thursday evening next.

At the annual meeting of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club, Mr Bedwell drew the attention of the club to members leaving with the Expeditionary Force, and suggested that their names be still kept in the club's roll of members, the suggestion was adopted.

Mr G. P. Bedford of the Cust is still adding to his extensive loft of fancy pigeons, and recently secured from Mr T. IT. Jones, a fine pair of black, longfaced, clean-legged tumblers.

I am told that the Dunedin Canary Club have disbanded, and affiliated with the Dunedin Fanciers' Club. If such is the case it is a pleasure to record such a step. We are too few in the fancy to be divided, unity is strength," and by all working amicably together, the fancy is sure to derive further benefits.

Still they join the ranks of the roller canaries. Last week Mr J. Ford, of Wellington, forwarded to a new Christchurch fancier the bird that won the Young Bird Cup "at the last Christchurch Show, and a suitable hen to match.

Yorkshires have also secured a new fancier, Mr Hansen, of Auckland, I be-

(By "GRIT.")

lieve, haA'ing sent some breeding stock to a beginner in Cliristchurch.

The eighth annual meeting of the Christchurch Canary and Cage Bird Club was held at the last club meeting, now occupied the proud position of being the premier club in the Dominion. The club shows from an educational point of view had been a decided success, and the club's thanks were due to Messrs Beardsley, T. H. Jones, A. Gapes, and F. Coventry for judging same. The balance-sheet proved the club to be in a very sound condition, and the trophy fund was also satisfactory. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr E. C. Wells; vice-presi-dents, Messrs A. R. Pengelly, C. Wilson, H. Frudd, and 11. Beardsley; hon. secretary, Mr L. Penrose; hon. treasurer, Mr G. H. Watson.

A new canary club has been formed in Wellington with some fifteen members. Mr J. N. Eider is president, and Mr J. Ford secretary. It has been decided to affiliate to the North Island Association.

In accordance with my promise, I now give the standard for Faverolles: —

FAVEROLLES (SALMON)—COCK. Comb: Upright, single, medium size, four to six neat serrations, free from coarseness or any side-work. Wattles: Small, fine in texture. Beak: Stout and short. Head: Broad, flat, and short, free from crest. Neck: Short and thick, especially near the body, into which it should be well set. Back: Flat square, very broad across the shoulders and saddle, and of fair length. The back of the hen is longer than in the male bird. Breast: Broad keel bone,very deep, and coming well forward in front, but not too rounded. A hollow breast very objectionable. Sides: Deep. Wings: Prominent in front, but small, and carried closely tucked to body. Body: Thick, deep, and cloddy. Tail: Feathers and sickles stout, medium length; a flowing tail carried low or straight objectionable: Thighs: Short, wide apart,/ plenty of body between them. Shanks: Medium length and stock, straight, slightly feathered down to outer toe. Knees: Straight, carried well apart, narrowness, or tendency to be in-kneed, very objectionable. Toes: Five, the fifth toe totally separate from the fourth.

The standard for the hen, and points to deduct, I will give in next issue.

I was asked if I could give the names of any breeder of Faverolles in the Commonwealth. The following competed at the Victorian Poultry and Kennel Club's show:—T. W. Rowe, 39 Nelson street, Balaclava; Messrs Taylor and Brand, P. 0., Seaford; Reilly and Hill, Lyndhurst Poultry Farm, Lyndhurst; and K. Courtenay, 'Governor road, Mordialloc. The entries were not large, and the president presiding, and there was a good attendance of members. The annual report congratulated the club on its continued prosperity, and that it the cards were divided among the above competitors.

Speaking to Mr T. W. Richmond,'-of Addington, he informed me that by the last trip of the s.s. Ulimaroa lie forwarded the Black-red Game Bantam cockerel that was so much, admired at the recent champion show to Mr H. H. Doyle, Branxton, New South Wales. He was a very fine feathered bird, and, like the rest of this strain, exceptionally reachy. The figure, I understand, .was a satisfactory one.

The Fancy will supply further to the Expeditionary Force in Mr C. J. Forbes, an enthusiastic breeder of Anconas. Mr Forbes was a splendid worker. for. the Christchurch Poultry Club , and belonged to the class that is so scarce in the management of all shows. Still, he recognises a greater call on his services, and I wish him the very best of luck and a safe return.