POULTRY YARD

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

POULTRY YARD

BY

WHAT IS A PEDIGREED HEN? The object of pedigree breeding, whether for shape or eggs, is to find out the outstanding individual hen or male which has the power to transmit to her or his progeny the good qualities, and not the bad ones. Too much has scientists and students of poultry breeding, and the average poultry breeder has accepted the bald statement that the sire transmits the good qualities to the daughters, and the dam the good qualities to the sons. This statement is actually without foundation, as no definite formula has been found whereby it is shown how the latest bad characteristics and qualities can be eliminated. A pedigreed bird is one that has been bred for several generations, and a careful chock taken of the performance and type of the progeny. The mere fact that a bird might be purchased at a market, and later nut in a contest and lay a high total, does not qualify any individual for calling this bird a pedifreed bird. Quite possibly it may have een bred from pedigreed parents, but in the absence of a written guarantee and proof, it should be termed merely a good laying bird. Again, no matter how well-bred a bird may be, there is always a. percentage of the progeny that throw back to old ancestors. This can be seen in any poultry yard, where the chickens show varied type, and even an occasional specimen different in colour, despite the fact that every care is taken in breeding from the selected specimens. It is only the specialist poultry keeper who has studied every angle of the subjectfor years who is able to detect the slight variations in type, and the specialist, it may be noted, does not run several varieties together, nor docs he keep more than two or three varieties. For any individual, no matter how keen, to learn the inner intricacies of any one variety, it takes at least three years’ close study and observation. A constant check has to be made of birds at shows and competitions, and in other breeders’ yards, until at last it becomes second nature,to detect the really good bird at a glance. . *

another. AH berries at the end of the small branchlets should be left, as they extend the size of the bunch and never get crossed with other berries. Never touch the berries with the hand, as it damages the berry by removing the “bloom,” and the blemish will remain until the end. OLD-FASHIONED PLANT?. In referring to the return to public favour of plants that were once popular but have almost dropped out of cultivation,-' C.' Sparrow, writing in the H.A.” says; While it is of importance to keep the weather eye open'for a new fashion'' or fresh development in plants,

it is always good to remember that old fashions return to popularity. Popular plants which 20 years ago were declared to be back numbers show signs of a return to popular favour, just as our modern women in their next fashion occasionally revert to ■ some fashion of generations ago, and the modern smooth faced man has adopted the custom of Nelson’s time, although he may in -the near future- adopt the mid-Victorian whiskers. Among plants that went out of fashion my be mentioned the camellia which was a flower, of great

importance in the time of our grandparents and has once more become popular, not only as a flower for the young belle to wear in her hair, but also as a hardy shrub with some tall trees to protect it from cold winds or sudden bursts of sun after a frost. One of the most popular flowering plants in Covent Garden' throughout, the autumn is the "ericas,” the heath of d few generations ago. The epaeris which was also included among aristocratic plants of 50 or 60 years back is again well-liked although not available in quantity sufficient for it to be popular. The acacia under the name of rqiinosa has quite regained' its popularity. The the regal pelargoniums which were practically out, are well, liked when obtainable. The international show of 112 was historic in more ways than one. It was the last occasion when large specimen hard wood plants were shown in London. The late Mr. Cypher was a master in the cultivation of these, and only those privileged to know him and his plants can appreciate the loss horticulture sustained through his death. Among plants which went out was the fuchsia and it is likely if some good grower took the plant up again, this would become a favourite flower again, as it should do with its great beauty and grace. The canna came in during more recent times, went, and has come back again. Aniqng foliage plants there has been less coming and going in popular fancy, but the grevillia robusta, once largely grown for markets, was not seen for many years, but nbw the modern florist with a keen eye to the artistic, when effec-

tive,‘gladly employs it. The war period with its consequent increase in the price of coal put an end to the extensive growing of stove plants, bbt because of the fact that there are many people who appreciate a good uncommon plant as well as' many, who, like to have something .different, it is more than probable that in the near future there will be an awakening of the interest in many of the best things. Our friends of the trade who have been nursing them, may find them wanted once more.

G. H. AMBLER

The specialist who has been breeding one variety for a number of years .has done his utmost to cull out the second and third-rate specimens., He does not breed from all his hens, but selects only those that conform to the type required by the standard, added to< which the bird must have shown a good record in the laying pen. His flock after a number of years may be said to be firstclass pedigreed birds, . and though reversion is always a factor to be taken into account when breeding from his stock, still the person lacking a thorough knowledge of the variety may at least know that he is following on fairly safe lines in breeding from this strain, more especially if the precaution be taken to purchase a good breeding cockerel from the same specialist every year or so, specifying one that is fairly closely related. A new environment, that is, the changing of surroundings undoubtedly influences any bird. It is a common practice for breeders to give to a close friend living some, miles away a few birds to breed from, on the>, understanding that the donor may select one or ■ two cockerels when required. The fact | that birds of his strain are living in an entirely different neighbourhood, and probably under slightly different conditions, so far as feeding and housing are concerned, seems to strengthen ami invigorate them. By this system of careful exchange, with an individual of repute, birds of the same strain • are brought back into the' specialist’s yards and used as stock birds. A pedigrepd bird, therefore, is one that has its record, both for egg-laying and standard points, tabulated, along with its ancestry, on both the paternal and maternal side for "tnany generations. GREEN FOOD FOR FOWLS.. In good grass runs where the turf has been prepared from properly selected grasses and herb seeds, it is seldom necessary, unless in very hot weather, to supply fowls with any other green food besides what they are able to pick up. But all fowls in confinement, or in such runs as afford little or ho supply of green food, should have it given to them in abundance at the present time, ;.nd less or more throughout the whole year, but more particularly during the hot weather and when moulting. Some fowls are very fond of green food of any description, and others will hardly eat it in any form. It depends very much on how they have been brought up. Chickens reared and allowed to run at large for a considerable time in a paddock are frequently a long time before they will even deign to look at green food when thrown in to> them, in a. confined run. and they have sometimes held out so long in this way that it has been necessary to chop quite finely refuse vegetables and mixed them with the meal. This plau of giving green food is very good and may be |

practised with all fowls and in all circumstances.

Chickens, however, which have been reared in confinement and under mothers which ‘were fond of picking at anything green seem to take to such food naturally, and*with them there is no trouble, as they will eat freely of what is placed before them. When green food is scarce, less is issued when it is chopped and mixed with the other food than when thrown down in thb' rough. -. • •. • TO PROMOTE EXERCISE. Another good way’ is to suspend green food with, a .piece of cord.about a foot from the ground or just high enough for the fowls to reach it. ’ They pick at this in a very cheerful way and, besides adding much to their health', it affords them noth amusement and exercise. Not a day should pass without fowls having some green food, ' and when they can supply themselves it is astonishing what a quantity they will sometimes i eat. ’ . . .: • ? WITHHOLDING GREEN FOOD. At certain season birds prefer green, food to all other, and they appear to live on little else. When this food is withheld from fowls the feathers frequently assume a dry, withered appearance, which may relapse into something worse, and they seem to be particularly fond of peeking at each other’s feathers. In summer there are few .instances i where abundance of greeti food cannot I be had of some sort or other, such as cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, beet, lettuce, young onioh.is, and other crops which may be going to waste. But where green food is grown- purposely for the fowls, I would grow only lettuce and silver beet. These they eat-most greedily, and they thrive better on them than anything, and ■ L have tried all kinds of green food. The silver beet I prefer the more, and so do the fowls, as it is very cooling, and. being slightly bitter,’is a fine tonic. Supposing any fowl not to be taking its food freely, if the leaves of silver beet are chopped and mixed with the other food, the difference in the appetite will, soon be apparent. Plenty of such food acts as a preventive and cure of-disease. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mrs. A.G. —Although/you give'a good many particulars, about the leg-weak turkeys, you have not' said anything about the feeding. It is quite possible that the feeding may be at fault. .1 can quite believe that you give abundance of food, but it may not be quite, the .right character for growing tUrkcys. For the time being I would'suggest the following treatment: Mix one drachm of iodide potassium and Coz water; give a teaspoonful of cod liver oil per bird per day in their soft food. Perhaps you will write, me again, and.give some . particulars as to feeding, and say "how the birds, are. ' ’' </i Mr. A; Thomas, Stratford. There is no need to keep the male bird. Hens . will lay just -as \well .if he is ’not in the pen with them. . He is only needed to, fertilise eggsi For any other purpose, except to eat. he is useless. Pleased to hear my weekly articles‘have been .-'of I such assistance -to you. ...