POULTRY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 11

POULTRY

Official Organ of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club 1

(By CROW-BLACK.)

The executive council of the South Island Poultry Association will meet this evening. Tlie Christchurch Poultry Club will meet on Monday night. On Alonday tho New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s fourteenth egg-laying competition will commence for a period of fifty-one weeks, and tho winners of tho respective tests will bo kept for a further twelve months. The Management. Committee has all arrangements well in hand. During the past week many improvements have been made to the- heavy breeds' pons, the erection of broody coops and sick bird pons. Fresh soil has been placed in all tho scratching sheds, the,houses disinfected and all tho back runs dug, preparatory to sowing down in grass. Tlie birds are to lie confined to their houses during the first four months of the competition. _ At tho New Zealand Poultry Association Conference, recently held in Wellington, a resolution was passed congratulating the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club on tho very excellent records attained, especially in having tho first bird in New Zealand to roach the 300 egg mark, Tlie achievement is a tribute to tho intelligent method adopted by tbo club in the matter of feeding, and tho Poultry Association wished to express its appreciation of the good work the club was doing. THE WINNING PENS. OALDER BROS. Calder Bros., of Oaiuaru, in capturing both first and sdcond places in the tost, have added further fame to their consistently lino performances. The previous records in the competitions from Calder Bros.’ stock are also remarkably fine, as tho following figures demonstrate: 1914-1915, 1372 eggs; 1915-1916 (two teams), 1245 and 1265 eggs; 1916-1917 (two teams), 1315 eggs, 13V2 eggs and single bird test, 274 eggs (second); 1917-1918 (two teams), 1435 and 1403 eggs. A grand total of 9681 eggs from 43 pullets, or an average of 225 eggs per bird per annum. This example of consistent laying constitutes something of a record which any breeder may bo proud of. Though it is only six years since Calder Bros, commenced breeding for egg production their strain is well known in North Otago and South Canterbury. The number of dayold chicks supplied to fanners and others amount to about 3000 each year, while at tho same time sittings of eggs have been sent to all parts of tho Dominion. They claim for their success a system of single pen testing, which they have consistently carried out during tho whole six years. The utmost care in tho selection of breeding stock has in a great measure helped towards tho success of the firm’s enterprise. The of their farm lends itself to the rearing of poultry with a sound constitution; tho strenuous competition tests are a proof of this fact. Their yards cover about two acres of splendid voil-drained ground, and ns the number carried amount to 400 it can bo readily seen that the stock is reared on the free-range idea. Calder Bros, use incubators for hatching the chicks, and rear them principally with fireless brooders. Tlie incubator houses have been constructed on the most approved ideas also tho brooder house, which has a concrete floor, and divided in 6ft runs inside and 12ft runs outside. ,Mi Calder. one of tlie partners, is now at the war, and the farm is managed hv Mr Thomas Calder, sen., who fins had about thirty rears' excellence with poultry. Colder Bros, have again entered two teams for the coniine test. . MR. W. H. BOWER. In winning the twoiltli and thir teeiuh duck egg-laying competition with , 1 , an<l . 40,4 , respectively Bowers ioultry harm has come into great prominence. The farm is live acres, situated on high ground at Levin* and laid out especially lor stud stock, chickens and ducklings, running about tno bundled head. Bast season six iu- ",' C r° runnin °> and close upon oUX duck mgs and chickens were batched. Airs Bower attends to all the rearing until tho birds are out of their babyhood, as they both rcco<niis o the importance of the birds bciim „ liU p, right from the shell. Air Bower ‘has 1,0011 poultry raising about ten years m New Zealand, ami it has taken about eight }ears to produce the strain of Indian Runner ducks which has established the world’s ogg-layiim record fir twelve months. Air Rowe,- has been a fancier for thirty years or more, ami tor many years was a member of tbo Birmingham and Alid-Englaml Poultry Chib, and associated with many of the best poultry breeders. He exhibited Black Orpingtons soon after Cook staged them, ami has boon a faneimof them ever sinee. Air Bower hr«i hemi sueeessful in tbo show mvis with utility stock, winning the Challenge Cup at the last Palmerston North winter show. Ho has a White Leghorn rook, which bo bred, that has gained tiro firsts and specials under as many bulges, last year winning under Air P. C. Brown at Palmerston North. Mr Bower has also done well with White Rooks in the show imn. GREEN BROS. t In cauturimj tho lifty-unc weeks’

NOTES BY “CROWBLACK."

singl.c-pen bird test with a White Lowborn, yielding 312 eggs, averaging over ioz, Green Bros, have eclipsed all their previous fine performances. By careful and systematic breeding they have Jiought their strain of AA'hito Leghorns to a high state of productiveness. The size and shape,of the egg, as well as the quality of tho shell, are matters that arc as much sought after as are numbers. This lias been demonstrated by their representative in the single birds, as its eggs averaged 2Joz during the concluding three months, and were good in shape and of nice shell texture. Green Bros, are carrying some 600 birds on their ideal poultry place in Cranford Street, and during the last five years have exported many breeding pens of "White Leghorns to breeders in Canada, Australia and most parts of the Dominion, a team exported to South Africa producing the winners of the South African competition. Tho brothers are well known to Canterbury poultrymen as producers of firstgrade eggs, especially during the winter months. They recognise that the housing of poultry is a great factor towards success, and their houses are mostly constructed under the continuous system, in compartments to hold forty birds, each compartment being 18ft long by 18ft deep. Water is laiid on throughout the continuous houses. Most of the chickens are hutched in in-

collators, and then removed to their large and commodious brooder houses When about twelve weeks old the young stock are allowed their freedom in the well-sheltered orchard. They have access at all tunes to a well-balanced dry mash, and at night are fed grain. Green Bros, will ho numerously represented in the chib’s coining contests. MR F. STAINES. The breeder of the winning team in the heavy breed test is an enthusiastic Black Orpington fancier at Waipukurau. Mr Staines some two years ago recognised his strain were exceptionally fine layers, and last year he eiu tcrod a team, with the result that they had an easy win. MR T. E. CONWAY. In securing second place in tho teams heavy breeds contest, and also in tfao single-pen bird contest, Mr Conway lias kept up his reputation as a breeder of Utility Black Orpingtons. The team, unfortunately, wont into a moiiit at tho commencement, hut in the closing stages they showed they were heavy layers, and in fine order for a seebnd year’s tost. MR T. KENNEDY. By consistent laying Air T. Kennedy’s Silver Wyandottes captured tho South Island Wyandotte Club’s special prize of £4 for the pen of Wyandottes laying the greatest number ot eggs. The team wore also successful in winning the £3 special prize which was open for competition among members who joined the Utility Club prior to 1908. Air Kennedy lias gained distinction in several previous competitions with his Silvers. He has an ideal place at Rangiora. for poultry-keeping. Notes. Airs F. Howell, of Afarshland. has purchased Air AY. H. Bower’s winning pen of ducks, and also the Hcrotauuga

EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

team. Both teams have broken all previous records. The price for the two teams, including three drakes, was about £3O. Early in September Mrs E. D. Hunter secured Calder Bros.’ Nos. 1 and 2 teams of White Leghorns at a cost of about £ls. Mr H. Williams lias secured Green Bros.’ famous single pen White Leghorn for £3O. Mr G. H. Bradford was the purchaser of Mr H. Williams’s single bird at the auction sale. The old pigeon enthusiast also bought Green Bros.’ single pen bird with a record of 223 eggs. Mr J. N. M’Loan, of Rotorua, is the new owner of Mrs J. Mills’s single pen White Leghorn. Mr C. J. Norton, of Ashburton, secured the Dalmuir team of White Leghorns at a very reasonable price. During October the team laid 166 eggs—one egg loss than the club's record. Mr H. J. Goppirth’s White Rocks put up the fine score of 161 eggs in a month. The team’s performance during the autumn was highly creditable, every bird being in profit at the close of the. test. Mr L. T. Wright’s_ team, though young birds on entering the competition, laid solidly when they came into profit, and finished in third place. One of W. H. Bower’s ducks laid during the whole period of the competition, and is still in profit. Mr T. Wilson, of Marshland, has received many congratulations on his win in the single pen bird competition for heavy breeds; 273 eggs in fifty-one weeks is an excellent performance for a Silver Wyandotte. Tho bird is a good type of the breed, and a grand constitution fowl. Mr W. H. West, who led for many months in tho light breed test, was unfortunate in having a bird in his team which laid many soft-shelled eggs.

Five of the White Leghorns were brilliant layers. Air F. C. Brown, Chief Government Poultry Instructor, left Wellington last evening to be present at tho oatejlaying competition this afternoon, air O. Cussen, (ho South Island Poultry Instructor, is also in town. At a, meeting of the South Island Wyandotte Club on Saturday evening last it was decided to hold the chiib’;s show in conjunction with the Christchurch Poultry Club’s June fixture. Messrs Nancarrow and Conway, who won the blue ribbqns at the Utility Poultry Club’s young bird show last Saturday, were also successful Inst year. Air Nancarrow’s White Leghorn cockerel was the best of its brood shown at any of the club’s shows. Air AY. A. Nixon, who was well known as a breeder of utility fowls some years ago, was a visitor to tin* Utility Club’s young bird show. Air Schultz’s team of White Leghorns won tho Southland egg-laying competition. Calder Bros. were fourth. Air James Calder arrived from the south last evening with his teams. Mr Graham, of Dunedin, also accompanied his birds yesterday. Yesterday Green Bros.’ White Leghorn broke the world’s record, laying 316 eggs in 363 days. The following are tho first results in the Alasterton egg-laying competition ; BIGHT BREEDS. AVhite Leghorns— T. W. Barnes, 257 egg's . . .1 AV. H. Mackenzie, 255 eggs . . 2 T. Barnes, 241 eggs. .... 3 HEAAW BREEDS. Black Orpingtons— H. M. Boddinßton, 252 eggs . . 1 RG. Vale, 221 eggs . . .2 C. H. Johnston, 221 eggs . . 2

The following are the official monthly returns of the wmcm terminated on March 31;— pens (six pullets in each) which took part in the laying competition, and MONTHLY TOTALS. . BROWN LEGHORNS— LIGHT BREEDS. fwTnnH April. May. Juno. July. Aug Sept." Oct. Nov Dec. Jan. Feb. March Totals. WHITE LEGHORNS- • • 46 68 45 54 13V 139 150 134 135 139 108 77 — 1252 H. F. Rcss .... • • 55 73 61 63 131 135 157 143 120 147 122 113 — 1340 Caldsr Bros., No. X , , , 119 88 104 114 116 133 137 319 124 103 86 — 1310 113 65 93 133 .Us 159 143 133 119 104 101 — 1403 A. E. Phillips . • , . , 69 96 07 in 109 92 89 89 84 77 —■ 1074 • 42 70 To ; 122 107 138 148 12-3 126 129 112 103 — 1300 L. T. Wright ! ' • 51 22 8 65 131 146 152 133 117 94 83 100 — 1102 • 0 ICO 100 no 122 137 160 144 136 140 no 117 — 13S5 • 59 8G S3 71 in 143 162 133 129 117 115 73 — 1213 Te Ami Utility Stud • 34 : 77 43 114 132 141 153 123 110 ' 98 101 95 — 1221 • 51 97 33 87 128 155 141 137 125 120 89 105 — 1263 Hokowhitu Poultry Company ! « i • 50 . 11 62 70 40 44 63 68 130 107 143 123 123 142 1.15 13S 122 141 93 119 115 88 65 — 90 — 1129 1146 Dalmuir Poultry Yards . •T. M. Alley . . . , , i • • To • 45 70 94 £8 60 83 80 124 115 138 145 1G0 165 151 149 143 142 131 141 101 95. 73 - 56 - 1277 1291 • • G 53 81 103 104 130 149 140 123 103 48 18 — 1CG0 Ranginru Egg Ranch ! . | » • 79 . 20 90 42 21 43 21 96 116 101 149 107 160 122 142 108 102 111 85 116 67 101 58 — 86 — 1120 1058 Heretaunga Poultry Co., No. 1 • 41 • 37 79 66 53 100 87 124 114 136 135 156 145 345 ins 123 ■ 99 123 95 113 93 103 ■ — 59 — 1270 1089 42 26 99 118 123 in ,3 119 115 121 100 87 — 1125 W. Davoy . , , , , T. E. Conway .... Mf* T Afillg • • 75 93 59 91 122 .'37 154 145 in 136 101 124 — 1348 t • 4 . 44 91 83 74 68 St 103 120 125 143 . 133 156 123 139 121 142 113 127 105 111 76 74 — 1284 1168' T. W.'Wilson . i i R. Mills . . . , , A. W. Adams .... Reliable Poultry Farm . , , A. G, Brailey . , , , • 55 65 25 64 116 131 125 127 133 119 114 51 — 1125 . 10 . 31 80 90 80 23 65 28 97 90 117 :34 116 138 101 ■[W mo 96 71 96 33 86 70 — 20 — 952 970 • » . 20 . 54 • 63 79 101 62 96 64 28 80 84 44 120 139 99 Ml 142 139 155 309 145 142 IPS 137 137 92 137 151 93 125 104 63 103 so — 71 — 66 — 1276 1121 1150 Faxackerley and Son ■ . , R. W. Hawke .... J. Nancarrow, sen. . , , Calder Bros., No. 2 T. Kennedy . . . Herotaunga Poultry Co., No. 2 . M. A Currin .... H. Ball W. H. West .... A. E. Wilson .... II, Williams .... . 57 . 32 _ . 38 87 53 48 89 41 48 117 86 119 133 122 92 130 127 no 124 140 132 133 146 150 107 120 100 141 93 109 101 132 96 125 119 74 105 82 94 57 — 80 — 83 — 82 — 1101 1159 1017 1241 . G3 97 65 94 136 142 153 14-5 139 130 128 12S — 1435 • 27 . 46 21 65 4 33 4 93 75 125 137 141 151 118 144 135 136 122 133 117 118 111 89 — 97 — 1040 1233 . 3 71 74 107 133 ns 121 107 114 102 86 75 — 1114 • 54 80 51 111 1U 151 150 146 120 126 95 114 — 1354 . 64 91 114 143 140 129 140 135 127 118 87 78 — J666 • 4S . 69 94 89 23 56 82 89 123 132 120 153 138 139 137 117 136 136 140 100 125 97 — 88 — 1200 1338 SILVER WYANDOTTES- ’ HEAVY BREEDS. Green Bros. . ..... A. IV. Adams ..... W. W. Hewinson .... Mrs F. Howell .... T. Kennedy . , , T. Dowthwaito .... WHITE WYANDOTTES— . SI 78 65 62 SI 106 125 102 93 89 55 66 — 973 . 1 71 83 76 111 112 114 70 92 83 To 59 — 952 • 53 111 56 00 123 no i o.t 101 88 105 87 116 — 1133 • 3d 53 38 113 140 135 in 85 113 72 76 96 — 1075 • 56 . 3 52 4 45 56 90 85 99 132 12S 148 122 121 no 79 105 S3 325 86 113 S3 99 — 95 — 1153 975 G. E. Benjos .... BLACK ORPINGTONS— . 20 68 69 96 99 122 129 104 118 101 93 74 — 1093 Airs Claridge . . i < i . 0 16 31 39 7$ '112 106 101 87 85 84 £8 — 797 T. E. Conway, No. X , . . A. S. Cooper ... , J. Nancarrow, sen. . . , T. E. Conway, No. 2 • ■ Victor Gee . , E. E. Marsden . r « F. Staines . . . Hokowhitu Poultry Company . Miss J. James .... WHITE ROCKS— i . 2 26 G5 91 101 133 133 97 98 79 92 96 — 1016 • • . 0 . 78 . 42 43 84 02 71 SO 36 73 123 131 98 133 111 137 ns 136 120 112 114 109 111 122 105 05 115 119 90 no 81 79 no 80 — 99 — 115 — 1036 1203 1204 . 63 . 14 78 39 93 45 91 118 93 100 107 112 3 25 in 98 126 93 10-4 87 118 66 87 76 — £0 — 1070 1054 • « si . 40 . 27 1.19 70 71 103 45 35 127 07 65 132 109 106 135 107 126 124 118 113 112 105 100 93 no 88 98 91 102 104 85 83 77 — 77 — 1285 1034 993 H. J. Gopperth .... RHODE ISLAND REDS— i . 8 0 5 67 143 161 135 104 132 96 109 187 - 1097 A. S. Cqoper . . . ■ • . 18 0 3 63 115 130 135 314 59 71 51 42 — 807 . 49 20 11 34 103 137 120 76 53 53 45 24 — 754 DUCK CONTEST. For Six Puro-brod Ducks between the ago of INDIAN RUNNERSW. Knight • . 22 128 121 133 132 129 159 150 146 125 S3 64 — 1395 Herotaunga Poultry Company Mrs Goe , . . . • 42 162 151 151 118 129 156 165 131 135 65 30 — 1467 • • 80 m 124 149 130 144 150 113 125 113 38 1312 M. T. Green . . . . . H. W. Bower • . . • • . 103 . St 177 161 166 152 lf3 153 158 105 172165 350 141 128 143 100 143 134 57 76 73 — 49 — 1519 1574 SINGLE PEN. he LIGHT BREEDS. For Pure-bred Pullets between go oi five and 1 half and rfr it mo nthj;— WHITE LEGHORNS— ° Green Bros. . . . , . 19 27 26 26 26 27 30 28 27 27 25 24 — 312 5\. Davey . • • • ■ . 1 18 17 2 19 21 20 98 25 26 23 21 — 230 Victor Geo . • • . ■ . 13 23 21 o 12 21 ‘2S 24 27 21 14 — 246 J. Nancarrow • ■ • ■ . IS 22 22 22 21 21 92 24 21 17 10 — 242 Atkinson Bros. . ■ ■ ■ R. Mills .... . 16 °5 22 23 23 25 on 26 92 23 20 13 — 266 • s 12 0 0 IS 112 2£ n 0 0 n 0 — 97 ][. W:lli;uns . K. H. Taylor . To Anau Utility Stud ■ . . Mrs Mills . . i • . . 19 . Jfi . 0 . 15 24 (1 2G 10 23 20 2! 91 19 'IS 24 30 o'i 25 21 20 00 IS 13 29 23 20 18 17 .5 27 20 — 17 — 26 — OI 2)53 206 295 R. H. James . 10 0 13 20 •JO n 26 9s 10 0 0 0 — 141 A L Wilson . 10 12 I 5 6 19 21 20 17 7 0 0 — 121 Green Bros R. V. Hawke . . . . . . 0 . 10 0 21 10 17 21 19 ifi 23 97 20 23 19 26 23 0 no 0 — 213 ISO ivlINORCAS— Miss, J. James . . . , Hiss J. James . . ■ . 0 . 0 0 I) 18 0 17 2 9;; 19 91 92 23 20 0 19 0 0 — 0 — 153 106 For Pure-bred Pullets between IIEAV' BREEDS. flic ago of six BLACK ORPINGTONS'J'. E. Conway . . . SI I .V F. R W Y A N DOTTK S- . 20 23 11 21 25 15 20 19 IS 18 6 10 — 923 Tlios. Wilson . . , . Green Bros E. J. Ross RHODE ISLAND REDS— . 18 . 17 , 1 21 21 0 11 11 21 ii 21 n 95 0 0 91 0 10 26 0 16 16 0 14 21 0 11 no 0 — 0 — 273 55 107 J. Nancarrow. Rea. « f , • . 0 0 0 0 it IS AO 19 16 18 — 146