POULTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12638, 24 May 1919, Page 11

POULTRY.

NOTES BY “ CROW-BLACK.” The Christchurch Poultry Club will meet this evening. Air fi red Dacro has been elected to judge' the light breed fowls at tho Invercargill show, owing to the ill-health of Mr'H. G. Hunt. Mr L. Cocker, who has been appointed Government Poultry Instructor, was made an honorary member of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club at the annual meeting. Entries close at 10 p.m. to-night, at the Christchurch Poultry Club's rooms, in Cashel Street, for the annual exhibition of poultry, pigeons, canaries, cookery, oats and toy dogs, to be held in the King Edward Barracks next month- The entry from the North Island is expected to bo a record one, and with tho exceedingly heavy entries from South Island enthusiasts, the club’s fifty-second show promises to be the most successful ever held, in Australasia, Late entries will bo received by Mr Pearce, Box 159, up to next Saturday, on payment of an extra shilling in each entry. Mr Meadows, who met with a serious accident recently, was reported at the Utility Club’s meeting, to be making satisfactory progress at the hospital, Entries close on Monday next for the Falmerston North show. Tho following quantities of feed were used for the 510 fowls and forty-two ducks during the currency of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s fourteenth competition, costing 11a per bird:—Wheat, 31,9801b; pollard, 11,080 lb; bran, 40001b; oats, 30401b; grit, 19001b; ,charcoal, 501b; peameal, 800 lb; wheatmoal, 6001b; meatmeal, 3001b; peas, 2001b; maizemeal, 561b; lucerne chan, 5601b; gallons skim milk, 117; bullocks’ hoods, 103. The average egg yield was £1 7s Id per bird, leaving 16s over cost of food. “ There is hardly a week passes that some part of the plant does not receive a good disinfectant,” said ALr Walter Green when I called on him the other afternoon. He realises that prevention is better than cure, and by constantly spraying lice, mites, have no chance of getting a footing in the house. The bright red headpieces of the thirty White Leghorn cockerels, and their friendly sparring with one another, showed that they had not lost their vitality by being troubled with vermin. Mr Green reported that though sales had not bean as good, so far, in May, ns in April, he was receiving a good inquiry for cockerels related to H. W. Beck’s team which won the light breeds competition. Incidentally, Mr Green remarked that he bad received a number of congratulatory letters ou the performance of his twenty White Leghorns (averaging 245 eggs per bird) in tho last competition at Fapanui. Air J. Liggins, who makes his sole living from egg-farming, received a great ovation at the adjourned annual meeting of the Now Zealand Utility .Poultry Club on Tuesday nierht, when the chairman handed him the twelve guinea Leghorn Challenge Shield, which is awarded to tho team of Leghorns gaining the greatest aggregate number of points as exhibition specimens, and laying the greatest number of standardsize eggs, Mr Gee, in congratulating Mi Liggins on his success, said he felt sure that all his club mates were pleased that he had gained the distinction in the first competition in which his birds contested, and wished him continued success; he know how tc breed good specimens as well as good layers. Mr Liggins suitably replied, thanking the donors of the shield for the fine spirit they had shown in offerinn such a valuable trophy for com-' petition. The Utility Poultry Club has decided to hold its next young bird show in March next. Tho report just published of the 1917-18 laying trials at the HarperAdams College, Newport, Salop, contains much that is instructive- An important change in the regulations was made as compared with previous years, namely, that the actual weight of eggs laid were recorded as is now' being done at Papanui. As there are many local competitors who consider the 2oz egg standard too great to average for the full preiod of a competition the following table, culled from the HarperAdamy College report, will bo found interesting:—

averages . 606 2.02 181.43 4Sa Old The trials were conducted in two sections, small and large flocks, but the results in the latter division did not compare favourably with those in the former. It is of interest to note that the range of laying in the three highest pens of Leghorns was 154 to 212, 125 to 249, and 115 to 205. In the three highest pens of Wyandottes it was 169 to 252, 176 to 240, and 116 to 239. In the two highest pens of Rhode Island Reds it was 80 to 240 and 135 to 202, and _ in the two highest pens of Bull Orpingtons it was 145 to 180, and 111 to 220. In the two highest pens of Sussex it was 77 to 189 and 117 to 173, and in the two other breeds it was 93 to 208 (Minorca*), and 72 to 160 (Ancona*). Inquiries revealed the fact that the two birds which laid second grade

eggs, and many undersized eggs, had received a check during one month of the rearing period. The report .points out that it is essential to keep the young pullets in a thriving condition if full development of the organs responsible for the production of a goodsized egg is to be secured. The total number of eggs laid was 91,760, or 11,6821b (5 tons 3cwt). Thus to produce lib of eggs, 4.21b of food was consumed—grain and meal- The total cost of food (which had risen 100 per cent in four years), inclusive of grit, shell, vegetables, straw and railway • carnage for tlio 707 pullets, was £SOO 9s lOd, which works out at 14s 1.9 d per bird for the year. The total value of eggs, the sale price of which increased in four years by 237 per cent, was £1455 Cs 3d, or 48s Old per bird, so that the total margin of egg value over cost of feed was £954 16s sd, or 33s Bsd per bird. Tile runs did not provide any natural food. The margin for sale of eggs from the large flocks was £214 0s l|d, equal to 11s per bird. Following a meeting at which it was decided to revive the Maryport Agricultural Show, England, the statement of one farmer present that he had made £6O by his Christmas poultry last Yuletide led to an informal friendly discussion, from which it appeared that several of the best farmers present believed strongly in the hen as a pasture improver. Two who had a local reputation for dual purpose Shorthorns and pedigree Clydesdale mares, another who topped the market with blue-grey bullocks, and a fourth who benefited the district by bringing into it well-bred Clyde stallions, all agreed that for making rich, nutritious pasture there was nothing to equal basic slag and tbo guano left by poultry running over it. So far from fouling the herbage and leading the stock to reject it. they found that stock, particularly horses, preferred the grass most frequented by j tho poultry and throve upon it. The weekly egg yield from the pul- I lets in the competition at Papnnui con- ! tinues to improve, and should tho long spell of fine weather break now few i birds are likely to go out of profit, as! they have settled down to their new ' quarters. Advantage has been taken of j the fine sunny days a' ' tho light breeds, as well as th...... aeavy breeds, have, I understand, been allowed out in their pens for a couple of hours daily to pick at tho young grass. In the light breed single birds Miss Jessie James’s White Leghorn laid the possible for tho week, E. E. Marsden’s, T. Faznokerleyk, Oaldor Bros-’ No. 2, H. Williams’s, S. L. Beer’s, and J, Inggins’s each contributing six eggs. The two-year hens are all out of profit, in the single J. Donald’s Black ! Orpington in the heavy breed singles | has brought its score up to 36 without. n miss since commencing to lay. O. i Renn’s Black Orpington and H. Moa- I dow’s and H. Rose’s White Rock are ! the onlv two heavv breed single birds, in profit in the experimental tost, but twenty-two of the twenty-four light j breeds yielded an average of five eggs each for the week. E. E. Mnrsdeu’a and Waitoitoi Stud Farm recording the possible- The whole of the light breed teams have now commenced to lav, and good work was done by H. WjJ-

liams/a MSnorcas and Tracey King’s White Leghorns, 35 eggs each being recorded. E. E. Marsden’s six pullets laid 34, C. Thomson’s 32, J. Liggin’s and AV. Davey’s each 31, and D. F. M’Dougail’s, H. Ball’s and Heretaunga 30 eggs each. Two of H, W. Beck’s and one of Airs Gorinski’s second year birds continue to lay. In the heavy breed pullets O- H. Izard’s Black Orpingtons are the only team doing good work. W. T. Green's No. I duck team put up the good score of 39 for tho week, T. Dowthwaite’s 33, J. Donald’s (five ducks) 34, R. M Copland’s 27, W. T. Green’s No. 2 28, and G. Bonnett’s 25. W. T- Green’s two-year duck team has brought its grand total to 1565 by laying 34 eggs for tho week. Pour of the five single pen ducks laid the possible for the week. The leaders in the several contests on May IS are as follows:

FIFTEENTH EGG-LAYING GUitiFE TiTiuW. THE COMPETITORS AND THEIR BIRDS- , (Continued.) George Gee, who has taken an active part m tho management of the competition, has also been represented in the tests during the past tour years. He bred that good puliet which put up such a phenomenal score in tiro single pens last year tor the first six mouths. This year he is represented with a good bodied pullet in the singles, a wellreared, even half-dozen pullets in the teams, and a good type of Leghorn in the experimental, but the latter is unlikely to settle down to solid work in the small house. They are all bred from Mr Gee’s competition tested hens, two and three year old, which were mated with a twelve months’ male. The team scored 39 points, and 33 points for tho shield. Mr Geo has been keeping White leghorns for about seven years, and at present ho keeps about 150 for a hobby. A. W- Adams, Sheffield, is a fanner who has supported the competition for many years with a team of Silver Wyandottos- This year's team were very backward on entering, and their lacing being poor, they were only awarded 30 points for the Studholmo test. Mr Adams has about 150 head of poultry ior a hobby. T. Kennedy is,_ "with R- W. Hawke, the oldest competitor in tho club’s competitions. and gained considerable distinction In the early tests by the fine performances put up by his Silver and White Wyandottos. This year ho is represented with a team of 61 month old Silver "Wyandottos which were rather backward on entering. _ They were considered the best exhibition, team of the throe entered, and Were awarded 36 points for the gold medal prize. Tho team were bred from two-year-dhl stock. Air Kennedy has been keeping Silvers, for the past fourteen years, and at present- has nt Rnngiora about 31)0 fur a. partial means of livelihood.

H, Meadows and H. Rose are competitors in tho experimental house test with a single Barred Plymouth Rock The bird is a good specimen of a layer, but fails badly in Plymouth Rock type. It was bred Irom two-year hens singlepen tested and a two-year-old cock. Messrs Meadows and Rose have about one hundred head of poultry for a partial means of livelihood. D. Macdougall is a new competitor from Riverton. He is represented in the light breed teams with naif a dozen young racy pullets bred from trapnested Padman hens and a Robbins’s cockerel. Mr Macdougall is a'baker by trade, and keeps about ninety White Leghorns for a partial livelihood. Tho team scored 2b points for the Studholme test and 22 points for tho Leghorn Shield. Mrs C. H. Macdougall also competes for the first time in the duck section. Ihe six Indian Runners are poor specimens of th© breed, and one especially ioliows tho Pekin type too closely. Ihey are unlikely to keep pace with the better bred teams. The strain were originally Knights. Mrs Maodougall keeps about thirty-two ducks . a partial livelihood in Riverton. I. Wilkinson is represented in the house single bird test. Last year his single bird put up tho hue score of 316 eggs, but failed to average the standard weight for the tun twelve months, although it laid two ounces and over,, occasionally, towards the close of the competition. This year’s, representative is a grand bodied little bird, very tight feathered, bright eyed and active, and can be depended upon for a good total. She is from a jive-year-old cock and a ihree-year-old hen. Mr Wilkinson keeps about two dozen White Leghorns for a hobby. Atkinson Bros, have been enthusiastic supporters of tho club for several years, and on volunteering for active service at the front they were given a good send-off by the members. During their absence they were represented in tho competition. Their last year’s representatives proved brilliant layers for the first six months, but in the remaining six months two or three of the birds had not the strength to continue the heavy laying. This year they are only represented in the experimental test, owing to the young stock being backward this year- The representative is bred from a two-year-old hen and a cockerel. The brothers have been keeping White Leghorns for ten years as a hobby, and at present have about sixty birds. S. Dick is another competitor who has taken a deep interest in the competitions, and who has got into the prize money in each of tho three tests in which he has been represented. This year he is represented in* the experimental test with two entries, one being in Mrs_ Dick’s name, as much of the credit is due to her in rearing the young stock. The two pullets are good specimens, but Mrs Dick’s promises to be the most likely layer. It is a close feathered, blocky little bird, with bright and prominent eye. Mr Lick has been keeping Leghorns about seven years, and he has about eighty stock birds and pullets at present for a hobby. (To be conlnded next »veek.)

*0 « s to s o v ; to W bo to <y tc «,a jS* a h > % g a to <n Breed. .0 M > h O Li k_S 'A A <i A < a < o Leghorns 216 2.01 117.8 47s 21d 'Wyandottos 198 1.97 173.1 63s Hid E.I. 'Reds 64 2.01 147.1 •47s 7id On>s. and Rocks ■18 2.04 134.2 43s 3id Sussex 16 2.01 U7.0 37a 6iEci Other breed* . 4-2 2.05 131.10 42s 3id Total “

LIGHT BREED SINGLE PEN BIRDS (21). No. of E esa. oz. dr. Tl. 8. L. Beer. W.L. . . 6 9 12 35 H. Williams, W.L. , 6 11 6 S3 Beck and Oakley, W.L. S 10 0 32 T. Pazackerley, W.L. . 6 12 0 32 Miss Jessie James, W.L. 7 12 0 32 G. H. Bradford, W.L. . B 9 10 SI J. W.L. . . • 6 11 0 SI Calder Bros., No 2 .6 .< 12 0 81 J. B. Merrett, W.L. . 5 9 10 81 HEAVY BREED SINGLE BIRDS (8). J. Donald, B.O. . . 7 13 8 35 Green Bros., B.P.R. . 6 10 2 81 EXPERIMENTAL TEST FOR SINGLE BIRDS (30), T. Wilkinson, W.L. . 6 9 13 87 E. E. Marsden, W.L. . 7 12 0 37 Meadows and Rose, W.R, G 11 4 34 T. E. Conway, W.L , <> 11 0 33 T. Richards, W.L. , S , 8 4 32 C. Bean, B.O. . . 5 8 14 81 Mrs S. Dick, W.L. . G 11 11 31 Green Bros., No 1 .5 10 3 30 LIGHT BREED TEAMS CONTEST (36). 0, Thomson, W.L. . S2 63 C 173 J. Digging, W.L. . . 81 63.2 171 R. W. Coombes. W.L. . 20 36 7 155 Mrs Gorinski, W.L. . S3 61 0 154 B. E. Marsden, W.L. . 3-1 61 2 151 Dalmuir Yards, WJb. . 29 62-5 148 Book and Oaklev, W.L. 27 64 4 145 E. G. Terry, W.L. . 28 63 3 146 0, Renn, W.L. . . 29 53 4 143 LIGHT-BREED TWO-YEAR TEST (4). H. W. Beck, W.L. . 8 18 S 1654 HEAVY BREEDS TEAMS CONTEST (12) T. E. Conway, B.O. , 17 31 3 94 C, H. Izard, B.O. . 29 63 14 93 DUCK TEAMS CONTEST (9). G. Bonnelt . . .25 ES 6 175 J. Donald . . .81 64 10 160 T. (Dowthwaite . . S3 84 0 135 SINGLE DUCK CONTEST (5). H. Meadows . . .7 15 13 85 T. Meadows . . . t 16 4 37