POULTRY NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 146000, 5 December 1917, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES.

(By “Cackler.”) A correspondent writes expressing his appreciation of the fact tnat tilt Herald is publishing weekly notes rc poultry, winch he is sure will bo welcomed Oy fanciers as the garden note: are by horticulturists. The writer adds that he notices breeders in the South Island hoid monthly meetings tc discuss such questions as the cost ol food, and ' that papers on mating, breeding, etc., are read, and suggests that the local Egg Circle Committee should take the matter up, believing that the meetings would be well attended just as the last meeting was when Mr. Brown, Government expert was here. THE VALUE OF SHADE. N ->w that the warn weather is al hand, see that shade is provided for the birds. It trees or hedges are not available, cut a sack down one side,_ anc i along the bottom, and stretch this or ! fonr stakes driven into the ground, i The birds will appreciate this sheltci | from the sun’s rays. The young stocb should be especially cared for by the provision of shade. THE GROWING STOCK. There is a tendency to neglect th< 1 pullets now that they have attained I the ago when they can care for themselves. The food is cut down from 1 three feeds a day to two, and possibly i the young stock aro allowed to mis i with the layers, and take what they 1 can scramble for at feeding time. Un less pullets are kept growing they will receive a setback from which they Will never seem to recover. Unncces sary forcing by feeding rich foods if not wise. Just satisfy the birds’ re quirunents and keep them growing steadily till maturity is reached. THE RHODE ISLAND RED. A correspondent writes with reference to the standard of Rhode Island Reds. The following is the standard of perfection of the Rhode Island Glut of America; — STANDARD WEIGHT. Cock §5 lb. Cockerel 711 b. Hon 6HbPullet ;.. 51b. Apparent vigour is to be regarded with the consideration of shape. This j being a utility brood, ruggedness is of vita! importance. Where the word ‘‘'carriage” is used is meant such a position as the bird assumes when in the upright posture and in a state of reasonable repose. SHAPE OF MALE. Head: Of medium-size and breadth, carried in a horizontal position and carried forward. Beak: Medium length and regularly curved. Eyes: Sight perfect, and unobstructed by breadth of head and comb. Comb: Single, medium in size, sot firmly upon the ‘ head, perfectly straight and upright, with five even and well'-definod serrations, those in front and rear smaller than those in the centre, of considerable breadth where it is fixed to the head. Comb: Rose, low’, firm on the head, top oval in shape, and surface covered with small points, terminating in a j small spike at the rear. The comb tc conform to the general curve of the head.

Wattles: Medium and equal in length, moderately rounded. Ear-lobes; Fairly well developed. Symmetry of proportion in head ad juncts is to be considered. Neck: Of medium length and carried. slightly forward. It is covered with abundant hackle, flowing over the shoulders, but not too loosely feathered.

Back; Broad, long, and in the main nearly horizontal, this horizontal effect being modified by slightly rising curves at hackle and lesser tail coverts. Saddle feathers of medium length and abundant. Breast: Broad, deep, and carried in a line nearly perpendicular to the base of the beak; at least, it should not be carried anterior.

Body; Deep, broad and long, keelbone long, straight, and extending well forward and back, giving the body an oblong look. Fluff: Moderately full, but feathers carried fairly close to the body; not a Cochin fluff. Wings: Of good size, well folded, and the flights carried horizontally. Tail: Of medium length, quite well spread, carried fairly well back, increasing the apparent length of the bird. Sickles of medium length, passing a little beyond the main tail feathers. Lesser sickles and tail coverts of medium length and fairly abundant. Legs: Thighs large, of medium length, and w'ell covered with soft feathers. Shanks of medium length, well rounded and smooth. Toes: Straight, strong, well spread, and of medium length. COLOUR OF MALE. Beak: Red horn colour or yellow. Eyes; Red. Face; Bright red. CVmb, wattles, and ear-lobes: Bright red. . . .... Nock: Red, harmonising with bact: and breast. Wings: Primaries, lower web black, tipper web red; secondaries, lower web red, upper web black; flight coverts, black; wing bows and wing coverts, Tail: Main tail feathers and sickle feathers, black or greenish black. Tail coverts mainly black, but may become russet or red as they approach the saddle. ~ , Shanks and toes: Yellow or red horn colour. A line of red pigment down the sides of shanks is desirable. Plumage: General surface rich brilliant led, except where black is specified. Free from shafting, mealy appearance, or brassy effect. Depth of colour (red) is slightly accentuated on wing bows and back, but the least contrast between these parts and the hackle or breast the better. Harmonious blending is what is desired. The bird should be so brilliant in lustre as to have a glossed appearance. The undor-colonr and quill of the feather should be red or salmon. With the saddle parted showing the under-colour at the base of the tail, the appearance should be rod or salmon, not whitish or smoky. Black or

white in tho undor-colonr of any section is undesirable. _ Other things being equal, the specimen having the richest undcr-colour shall receive the award. DISQUALIFICATIONS. Feather or down on shanks or feet, or unmistakable indications of a lea- : tiier having been plucked from tho same. _ j Badly lopped combs; sido sprig or sprigs on tho single comb. More or lass than four toes on cither foot. Entire absence of main tail feathers. Two absolutely white (so-called wall or fish) eyes. Wry or squirrel tails, A feather entirely white that shows in the outer plumage. An car-lobo showing more than onchalf the surface permanently white. This does not moan the pale ear-lobe, but the enamelled while. Diseased specimens, crooked backs, deformed beak, shanks and feet other than yellow, or rod-horn colour. A pendulous crop shall bo cut hard. ' Under a,!l disqualifying clauses _ the specimen shall have the benefit of tho doubt. The standard of tho female will be published next week. NOTES. The South Island Poultry Association has decided to frame a utility standard for general use throughout tho Dominion. Tho members on the committee will bo Messrs. A. E. V iison, G. Willis, Dick, and J. Tl. Shaw for tho Utility Poultry Club. The presidents of tho North Island and South Island Associations, Mr. Robinson (Hastings) and Mr. S. H. Scott (Auckland) arc- to bo members of the board. Dunedin and Invercargill will also be represented. Tho Canterbury Egg Circle has achieved a record this season in supplying the bakers' needs. Over 70.0UU dozens of eggs have been sold for bakers’ use. The circle has done very little shipping of eggs this scasou, which has left the bulk of the supplies available for bakers.