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THE POLUTRY INDUSTRY

FOR FANCIER, AMATEUR & POULTRY FARMER Edited by J. B. MERRETT, P.O. BOX 588, Christchurch.

POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CANARY CLUB NOTES. Mr A. Walker will represent the Christchurch Poultry Club at the annual meeting of the South Island' Association in Dnnedin on Neveinber 30. Two valuable trophies have been donated for competition at the Jubilee Show to be competed for by the utility white wyandottes and breeders of this variety in the utility section can be assured of large classes at the June fixture. For the Jubilee Show, the committee have been successful in securing for exhibition only, an exhibit of pheasants which should be of interest to all breeders of the feather tribe as well as an additional attraction to the public. The Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary* Club have applied to the Department of Agriculture for one of these exhibits to be held in conjunction with the Jubilee Show, and if successful the Christchurch public will have the opportunity of seeing what ihe Government Department of Agriculture can stage from the different sections under its control. This exhibit has not been on view in Christchurch for some years, and can be assured of a hearty welcome. At the next meeting of the : Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, andj Canary Club the business of] Ihe evening will be to approve of the Jubilee Show Prize Schedule as submitted to the club by the Past Presidents. This should be of interest to all fanciers as the schedule will be open for correction if desired and all members are expected to attend. The Christchurch Poultry Club's delegate to the association's annual meeting has been instructed to support the remit allowing all clubs to procure their own pigeon rings for 1917-18 and following years, which if carried should put an end to the ring question for all time. The ladies interested in the cat section in conjunction with Ihe Jubilee Show have held several meetings lately and intend to put on the schedule a list of special prizes which should draw large entries in all classes. Miss T. E. Rogers, of Adlington, has taken charge of the section, with Mrs A. L. Flockhard as secretary, both acting on behalf of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Club. Tnhlf Poultry. There was an excellent attendance at the N.Z. Utility Poultry Club's meeting on Tuesday evening, when the president gave an address on "Table Poultry." In his opening remarks the speaker stated that the conditions of the table poultry market to-day, were different io years ago. The demand then was for a large bodied bird. Value was judged more by size and weight than ; >y quality. This was the reason the heavy breeds such as Dorkings, Indian Game, Sussex, etc., were considered the best table breeds. Now we find the demand is for a smaller bird, buL it must be choice in quality. It affords an excellent chance for the producers of light breeds to cater for the table trade, as the lighter breeds could be produced to meet the requirments of the demand at a lesser cost than some of the heavy breeds. It also solved the cockerel trouble. Thousands of young cockerels were being lost each year owing to no interest being taken in rearing them. Many producers killed their male birds, as soon as they could be distinguished. Others quitted them to buyers who did not understand feeding with the result that thousands of chickens died for want of proper care. These could be seared and made a valuable asset to the food supply of the Dominion if proper provision were made to raise them to maturity. The aim to-day should be to produce the dual purpose fowl for eggs and table. A misconception existed about the Legborn being unsuitable for the table. With proper care and attention it could be made a delicacy, and though Ihe carcase was not large it met the market requirements if fed and well formed. The classification of table poultry was then dealt with and specimens shown to illustrate the different classes to which each bird belonged. There were three classes, boilers, roasters, grillers. Boilers were represented by male birds nine months and over, and hens twelve months and over. Roasters were cockerels up to eight months, and pullets up to nine and twelve months. Grillers were chickens up to two months in age. In marketing the aim should be to send forward birds before the spurs began to harden. The flesh was then tender and young and commanded high prices. The point to remember was not size but quality, not age but youth. It was the choice

quality that commanded prices. The question of fattening was then dealt with, and the various foods suitable for conditioning were explained. In New Zealand almost all our cereals were useful. Outs formed a good basis for fattening, barley, maize, peas and pollard, and meat meal were advocated. Caponising was not considered a paying business. The practice kept the birds tender, and the flesh choice, but to prepare the birds for market it required too lengthy a period for feeding, and the extra price did not warrant it. Crate feeding was useful in bringing on store birds. It was advised that male birds be penned off while young. They would not fret and would benefit more from their feed. The prices obtained in Christchurch were higher than many liar's of the world for live birds. Even in England to-day table poultry was not as costly as the local market. The demand was only temporary, and was duo to the scarcity of stock, and the requirements for troops and hospital ships. Preparing birds for market was a profitable business for the farmer, and it was to be hoped more atten-: Hon would be given to the industry.; Government Instructor's Ideas. Mr C. dissert, the Government] Poultry Instructor, then addressed] the meeting on the selection of breeders for table poultry. He said success came after well directed! energy being sustained. Breeders must possess those qualities which] we wish in their offspring. The se-j lection must continue year after; year. It was unreasonable to expect the offspring to possess more good qualities than their parents. The poultry men should aim at vigour and constitution and meat producing qualities. In many respects the points which go to indicate the laying qualities of a fowl are to be looked for when selecting the breeders, as we require a short-legged bird, with well meated thighs, and medium to short neck. Excessive development in length of leg, neck, and wing was not desirable. In selecting table birds we desired a long, deep breast, carrying plenty of meat. The latter point was not, however, desirable when it came to selecting the layer. A delicate chicken, added Mr Cusscn, was generally the stupid one of the flock. It was a good idea to mark the strong chickens and cull out all weakly ones as soon as possible. The' use of animal food in some form or other was advisable as soon as the feathers started to grow. He had often observed chickens go on doing Well for three or four weeks, and then start to fail. This, in the speaker's opinion, was, in many cases, due to the want of animal food. If chickens appeared to go off their feed it was advisable to miss a feed until the appetite returned, or a change of diet was advisable, but care should be taken in changing the ration; let it be gradual. This could be done by gradually taking out the part of the ration one wished to discontinue, and substitute the new food. Mr Cusscn demonstrated by means of pictures the class of birds that i! was desirable to use as breeders. Mr A. E. Wilson, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers, said be had learned a fair amount that evening, and Mr Merrett bad shown how to market birds. Mr Cussen's tips would be useful to all. He hoped the club members would arrest the great waste referred to byMr Merrett by raising their own cockerels. x\ number of questions were answered at the close of the addresses. Mr Merrett donated the poultry, which realised 30/- for the Red Gross Fund. The purchasers generously banded the birds over for the use of patients at Bottle Lake Hospital. Notes. We regret to learn thai Mr I). Hampton, Riccarton, a well-known .Minorca fancier, has lost his son David in France. He was a fine type of young manhood, and in his 21st year. His loss will be keenly fell. Fighting for King and Country. Nobly he fought, nobly felt. Mr R. I). Johnston, Ashburton, the well-known Silver Wyandotte breeder, died suddenly during the week. He was in Christchurch during Garnival, and looked in the best 'of health. He contracted pneumonia, from which he died. The New Zealand Utility Poultry Club decided on Tuesday evening to instruct their delegate to urge for a representation on the S.I.P.A. Council. The delegates from Chrisiehurch for Hie S.I.P.A. annual meeting will leave for Dunedin on Wednesday next. The egg market continues firm. The supply also is good. The rising price of wheal is i<; be regretted, as

it leaves little profit at present price of eggs. Mr A. Boyle has made a handsome present to Queen Mary's Hospital, Hanmer Springs, of 50 White Leghorn hens. It is a handsome gift, and the soldiers should not lack a good supply of eggs. EGG-LAYING COMPETITION'. The following are the results of the South land Egg-laying Competition, held at Kcw, ! for the 33rd week, ending November 21:— White Leghorns.

Pen Grand No. Daily laying. Total. ; 2 .T.Stevens .. .. 5,1,2,0,1,3,3-27 999 1 .'!1 John Dowdall .. 0,3,5,1,5,4,5—29 983 5 c. Criciiton .. 0,0.4,3.5,0,5--:!.-) 9.v; 22 Miss Sutherland.. 4,5,0,4,0,0,4—35 930 23 *J. J. Schultz .. 3,3,2,3,5,5,t—2o 9191 35 *Entcrprise Poultry Farm .1,5,3,5,1,5,5- 30 912 9 Mrs Gorinski .. 5,5,3,5,1.5,0-33 895 I 13 J. J!. Mcrrctt .. 5,4.3,5.0,5,4—32 889 ; 6 S. I.. Beer 1,5.5,5,5,4,2—30 8X5 ■ 33 .T.Stevens .. .. 5,5,5,0,.-,, 1,0—30 880 ' 33 C. Warburton .. 4,4,3,0,5,0,4—32 877 25 H. Woodnorth .. 0,3,3,0,0,1,1-32 808 21 Rangiuru Egg R. 4,2,1,3,1,3,3 -23 807 7 J. Thomson .. .. 4,5.2.1,5,5,3 28 819 31 J. Hislop .. .. 5,1.3,2,3,1,5 20 810 l(i J. Strang .. .. 5,5,0,5,5,1,0 30 843 23 K. Finlayson .. 1.1,5,0,1,5,3-32 813 20 Green Bros. .. 1,1,5,1,3,5,1—20 810 12 \V. Hamilton .. 3.3.1,2,3,1,3-22 831 32 .Tames Strang .. 0,5,5,5,5,1,3--33 831 11 James Ireland .. 5,0.5,1,0,1,0—30 700 30 Rillstone & Davics 5,6,5,1,5,0,0- 37 781 8 C.Clayton .. .. 5,1,3,1,4,6,3-29 777 10 Enterprise Poultry Farm 4,5,5,1,0,5,4—33 771 S Mrs Carr .. .. 2,5,0,3,14,3—25 702 15 C. Mathcson .. 32 702 30 Tracey King .. 2.5.5,3,0,1,1- 2!) 702 24 T. E. Davis.. .. 4,1.1,1,5,1,5 -30 717 1 B. Ross .. .. 0,3,5.2,5,0,0- 33 738 20 E. Orme .. .. 3.0,3,3,5,1.3-27 731 27 H. Fortune .. .. 5.1,1.1.1.3.5 —29 681 1!) R. \V. Havke .. 4,4,4,3,5,2,5—27 645 18 C. Raines .. .. 2,5,5,2,1,1,0—28 G20 Black Orpingtons. 37 *R. Ferguson .. 1,2,1.1.1,2,0—8 701 29 *J. H. Hurrell .. 1,1,1,1.5,5,1 30 511 White Plymouth Rocks. 11 T. E. Davis.. .. 1,5,1,3,5,5,1-27 705! Campines. 17 R. Dunlop .. .. 4.2,1,3,2,1,2 21 0591 Columbian Wyandottea. 4 Mrs J. Mills .. 4,2.4,0,5,4,3—28 501; 1,111 30,552 *One bird dead; five in pen.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19161125.2.35

Bibliographic details

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 872, 25 November 1916, Page 5

Word Count
1,843

THE POLUTRY INDUSTRY Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 872, 25 November 1916, Page 5

THE POLUTRY INDUSTRY Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 872, 25 November 1916, Page 5