AMONGST THE POULTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 26 (Supplement)

AMONGST THE POULTRY.

BARRED ROCK’S AVERAGES.

NEWS AND NOTES BY “ BARRED ROCK.”

SHOW DATES.

SOUTH ISLAND. Christchurch Poultry, PC. anrl C. dub.—Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 3. 4 and 5. Dunedin Fanciers' Club.—Thursday. Friday and Saturday, June 3, 4 and 5. Ashburton Poultry, P. and C.. Club.— Fridav and Saturdav, Tune IS and 19. North Canterbury Poultry Club.—Friday and Saturday. July 2 and 3. Oamaru Poultry Club.—Friday and Saturday, i July 9 and 10. Tcmuka Poultry . Clt|b v —Friday and Saturday. July 23 and 24. Waimate Poultry and Saturday, 1 aWd s/, 2flr *■- Lyttelton Fanciers'"Friday and Saturday* July: 16'and 17. Taieri Poultrv Club.—Saturdav, June 19. Kaitangata Poultry Club.—Wednesday and Thursday, June 30 and July 1. Tapanui Poultry Club. —Saturday, July 10. Ileriot Poultrv Club.—Thursdav, July 8. Balclutha Poultry Club.—Friday, June Invercargill Poultry Club.—Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14. Nightcaps.—Fridav and Saturday, May 21 and 22. * Otautau and District „ Progressive League.—Wednfesdav a‘nd Thursday, May 12 and 43* - * Waimangaroa Poultry ("ub - Friday and Saturday. June 11 and 12. Westport Poultrv Club.—Friday and Saturday. June 25 and 20. Granitv Poultry "Chib.— Friday and Saturday, July 9 and .10.' tireymouth Poultry < Hub. —Friday and Saturday, July 23 and %i. South Canterbury Egg and. Poultry Society.—Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17.

The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club will be held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the club rooms. A film. “ Glorious New Zealand," will be shown at the Liberty Picture Theatre next week. It shows poultry farming in New Zealand: also views of the egg-laying competitions at Papanui. This should be of interest to poultrv enthusiasts. Mr Bobbitt, of St James Avenue, Papanui, has a fine lot of White Leghorns at present. This is the first year he has entered in the Papanui competitions. ariii his birds have made a good start, The New Zealand Duck' Club held a meeting on night last and decided to allot special prizes to the utility and fancy sections at the June Show to financial members by May 1, 1926. I regret Mr Bust has not been aHe to keep»to the point at issue. Mr Bust statcd£that the Christchurch Poultry t k*. ■ would not experiment with new judges or judges who had never judged Jit a show before, and yet the two judges this vear who ha® hever judged before. All J ask is ths* Mr Bust be consistent and stick to the question under discussion and jraot refer to other matters that have no bearing on the übject.

The Christchurch Poultry Club met on Monday night. Mr G. Jefferies, president, in the chair. There was a large attendance of members. Matters in connection * with' tbc show were .dealt with. Additional special's*were allotted, including two from Mr If. Williams to the utility section for the best White Leghorn pullet, and the best Black Orpington pullet. It was decided to have a round-the-table talk on Silver Spangled Ilamburgs. All old and new fanciers and anyone interested in the breed are invited to attend at the Poultry Club rooms, Lichfield Street, at 8 pm. on Monday next. The birds imported by the club will be on exhibition and some of the old strain for Cuihparison, the following members

providing the birds: Messrs G. Jefferies, <\ Bradford and F. Sykes. Invitations will be sent to old breeders and judges to give advice and instruction to those interested. The club hope to see a large attendance. Mr C. Bradford, the well-known breeder of fowls and pigeons, reports good business, having sold a White Wyandotte cockerel and one light Sussex cockerel last week. He states that there is good inquiry for good stock. Mr Bradford is pleased with the progeny of his imported Red Tumblers, they having produced some of the best he has seen. Pigeon breeders will be pleased to know this as it will give confidence to those thinking of obtaining fresh stock from abroad. In conversation with Mr A. A. Thompson, Riccarton, he reported that he has bred some good Silver Wyandottes this season. He has filled several orders for stock to new fanciers. Mr Howell, of Burwood, purchased four hens, intending to go in for this beautiful breed as an exhibitor. Mr W. T. Green, the well-known duck breeder, informs me that there is a keen demand for White Indian Runners and predicts a great future for these birds. He forwarded a team to Mr Adrett, Otaki, who intends going in for them on a large scale. Mr Green proposes to make a big entry of these beautiful birds at our show in June. Mr Ben Johnson, the noted Magpie pigeon specialist, has taken up Black Minorcas as a hobby. He will find them just as hard to - breed as his pigeons, but those who know the genial Ben are aware that if he puts his mind to it he will soon be at the top of the Midorca tree. Fanciers in general all wish him the‘ best of luck. Mr C. W. Bell, of Rangiora, has again been elected to judge Waimangaroa Show, this being his third year. Mr J. Tindall (open classes), Mr 0. W: Bell (utility classes) and Mr T. Wilkinson (cats and canaries) have been elected to judge at the Ashburton Poultry Club show. v The Taieri 'Poultry SJ,iow will be held on June 26. The following judges have been selected to adjudicate on the different classes:—Mr J. Taylor, Milton, open, classes: Mr R. W! < 'oomfces, Dunedin, utility classes; Mr W. J. Amand. Dunedin, bantam ■ classes: Mr R. J. Brown, Dunedin, canaries. i The South Island Poultry, Pigeon ! and Canary Association met on Mon- ! day night, Mr G. Jefferies presiding. ! Lengthy correspondence was dealt with, and a number of schedules were ! passed. The Balclutha Poultrv Club j wrote that it had drawn a championI ship for Homer cock ringed 1925-26. but as it had never received any entries | it was offered back to the association I for allotment. It being, an art union championship, it was allotted to Christchurch. The Dominion Fanciers’ Club wrote that it was unable to secupe its hall for the dates applied for. June ■3. 4 and 5, which are the same as I Christchurch. This is a pity, as it will. ! affect Dunedin for entries, as a number of local fanciers intended to exhibit at the Dunedin Show.

Mr R. Wanden, Blenheim, has been appointed to judge the Westport Poultry Club’s show, June 25 and 26.

The Canterbury Bantam Club met on April 26 in the Poultry. Club rooms, the president, Mr J. D. Gobbe, occupying the chair. There was a large attendance of members. It is the intention of the club to commence its education evenings in May,, the first night being devoted to a lecttue by a .noted breeder on “Mating for Show Stock.”

The Poultry. Club will meet every Monday night till after the show. The “ New Zealand Poultry Journal ’’ received a letter this week from the Government < ‘inematograph Department at the Dunedin Exhibition, stating that the film loaned by the “ Journal ” on the poultry industry in England has been a pronounced success, and has been seen by over six thousand people to date.

COMMON WINTER DISEASES.

BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA. Just what you should know about these ailments and how to avoid them. Birds in good physical condition will throw them off. but some may need your help to get well.

ACUTE BRONCHITIS OF FOWLS. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of. the bronchial tubes, usually including the trachea. The trachea commonly called windpipe is constructed differently in birds than in mammals. There are two larynxes, one at the top end of the windpipe and the other at the inferior end. The larynx at the top end of the windpipe we cannot call a voice box as in people, for the cock crows and the hen sings or cackles with a voice box located at the lower end of the windpipe. Here the windpipe is flattened. and this so called “ inferior lar■ynx is provided with vocal cords which make the sounds when they become tense and the wind passes through them. The tenseness of these cords accounts for the different sounds the bird makes. Branching off from this voice box are two small tubes, one going to the right and the other to the left lung, these tubes then branch into three main tubes and these in turn give off side branches and these again divide into other side branches on the ends of which are the air sacs. From these larger tubes there are formed nine air sacs which extend back into the abdomen among the intestines while others are located just back of the lungs and some just at the anterior (front) part of the lungs. From these air sacs small tubes are given off which extend into .the bones. All these described structures are capable of becoming inflamed. With this setting of the stage we will proceed. FORMS OF BRONCHITIS. > The inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the fowl usually includes the trachea. It is always more or less present in cases of pulmonary catarrh and is accompanied: by a. cough and a rattling in the throat, difficult and uneasiness of breathing. It occurs as a primary affection or as a feature of general disease. There are usually five different forms of bronchitis recognised. First, the acute, in which the inflammatorv process is more or less severe, but of limited duration; second, the chronic form in which the disase processes are prolonged; third, a final form in which there is given off in the breath a feetid odour; fourth, a stage in which new tissue is organised at the point of disease, and fifth a .condition of engorgement of the tiny vessels called capillarCAUSES OF BRONCHITIS. In regard to causes of bronchitis, the inflammation may extend down from the pharynx or throat region which occurs in sudden changes of the weather, dampness especially, where the roof is leaky and the floor remains wet, or where there is a concrete floor with no underdrainage to ensure that it will remain dry, or a dirt floor in which it is lower than the surrounding ground and the water seeps in. Sudden changes in the weather, roosting near a crack, becoming wet and chilled during rain, cold winds blowing on them, or in fact chilling from any or all sources are the principal causes. Other causes are inhalation of dust, particles of food, , breathing irritating gases, and toxic poisoning as in uremia. The exposure to damp, changeable weather as occurs in fall and spring is especially favourable to the development of bronchitis. The germ (diplococcus pneumonia capsulatus) isolated by Kaupp and Dearstvne in 1924 from the outbreaks of contagious bronchitis, is a potent factor. During the last season one fattening establishment lost 2600 fowls in 10 days from broncho-pneumonia from which the above organism was isolated. SYMPTOMS OF BRONCHITIS. A rattling sound is heard in the region of the trachea and bronchi—-neck and anterior part of the thorax—which is the sound made by the air passing in and out of the windpipe over the mucous accumulating as a result of the inflammation. The bird may be seen gasping for air by opening the month and extending the head upward. The difficulty in breathing is due to the gradual accumulation of the mucous in the air passages which partially close them, thus preventing the birds from getting enough air into the lungs. The affected bird coughs, which may partially relieve it for an instant only* to again be distressed. The bird is dull and there is a loss of appetite. The condition may pass off in a few days, may respond to treatment, or it may develop into a chronic form from which after weeks or months it mav finally die.

INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. Pneumonia consists of an inflammation of the spongy parts of the lungs involving mainly the walls of the air cells. The blood vessels of the lungs first become engorged with blood, then follows a true state of inflammation in which the lung tissue becomes solid like liver. There are different kinds of pneumonia according to just what disease processes go on in the tissue. In the early stages, when the lung is cut through the sectioned surface appears red while it assumes a darker to a grayish condition in later stages when it does not .go on to the stage where tli£ tissue breaks' down and a cheSsy pus accumulates. 1 SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA. Pneumonia is quite common among fowls, ducks and other birds. In the early stages the bird will stand around and appear dull and refuse to eat: The bird may remain on the perch pole or stand apart from the balance of the flock and when the flock is fed grain it pays no attention and its feathers appear ruffled. Tts wings may be droopy due to the fact that the muscles of the wing are weak. The facial expression is drawn and there will be difficulty in breathing. The bird may sit or stand with head drawn and eyes closed and occasionally extending its head into the air gasping for breath. The bird may gradually, or in extreme cases, rapidly become poor in flesh. The rattling in the throat is noticed, and coughing spells may result in throwing up some mucous.

TREATMENT OF BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA.

There, is a fever and the bird may appear thirsty, and it is a good plan to place Epsom salts in the drinking water, using J teaspoonful to a cup of water. Isolate the bird from the balance of the flock, as its mates will impose on it. Give three grains of quinine three times a day. In the very acute cases we have had excellent results by giving hypodermically 5 c.c. flavisol once a cb- till the bird is well. This has some eood effects in the subacute and chronic cases, but sometimes in this class of cases it falls to effect

CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY CLUB.

THE PRIZE SCHEDULE. The prize schedule for the 59th annual show of the Christchurch Poultry P.C. and G. Clubs has just come to hand. The show will be held in the

King Edward Barracks the first week in June, and from the splendid list of prizes offering in the schedule there, should be no question as-to the show being a sucess. The book was printed by the “Lyttelton Times” Company, and leaves nothing to be desired. The prize list is most extensive, fifty■-sxi club cups being offered for competition by the club, also twelve cups from private donors. The Columbarian Peace Trophy has been allotted to Christchurch for competition this year and the breeds to compete are Owls, Turbits and Oriental Frills. Eight South Island championships to be won outright will also be competed for, and should draw competitors from all parts of the Dominion.

The following specialists club prize lists appear in the schedule, the}' having decided to hold their annual shows in conjunction with the Christchurch Club’s fixture: —Old English Game Fowl Club. South Island Leghorn and Minorca Club, N.Z. Utility Poultry Club, Canterbury Bantam Club, Canterbury Egg Farmers’ Association, Canterbury Co-op Poultry Producers, N.Z. Rhode Island Red Club, N.Z. Duck Club. Christchurch Pigeon Club, United Pigeon Fanciers Club, and Christchurch Canarv and Cage Bird Club. In addition to the championships £45 in 10s 6d cash specials has been donated by friends aiid fanciers, open to all exhibitors. The New Zealand lvennel Club has allotted to the show challenges for best Pekingese Dog and best Pekingese bitch, and has subsidised the prize list for Toy Dogs. The Cat section has three club cups for competition and a number of special prizes. The ladies are fully catered for in the Art Needlework competition and cookery classes, to which a number of special prizes have been donated. The judges are—Open Poultry and Bantam sections, Messrs F. Dacre, R. Wilson, G. E. Jeffreys, J. Tindall and T. Doig; Utility classes, Messrs T. Doig, R. Wilson. 7. D. Gobbe, G. E. Jeffreys, J. Tindall and C. W. Tritt; Table Poultry and eggs, Mr W. T. Green: breeding pens, Mr C. P. Bradr ford; Tumble Pigeons,*Mr>W. Mabley; Magpie Pigeons, Mr W. Bailey; all other Fancy Pigeons, Air W. B. M’Kenzie; Homer Pigeons, open classes, Mr A. Buckley: Ilomer Pigeons,, junior classes, Mr C. A. Anderson; Canaries, Mr T. 11. Tones; Cats, Mr F. Biggs; Toy Dogs, Mr Geo Lewis; Art Needlework. Mrs E. D. Pegler; Cookery, Mr 13. Gotham (The Beresford). The general setting out of the schedule is very pleasing, the names of those who have wins to their credit being printed against the different cups and trophies. The secretary, (Mr R. Pearce, Box 159. Christchurch) will be pleased to forward a copy of the prize schedule, to anyone interested in the show.

ELECTION OF JUDGES.

To the Editor. . si ri —M r Green’s letter is remarkable. He tells us he fails to see why a club composed mostly of fanciers should turn clown the Utility Club’s nominees* and he asserts that the Christchurch Poultry Club has blundered ,and further he Wishes me to explain myself in reference to Messrs Jeffreys and Bradford and concludes by asking what about Mr Hawke? He stresses the point, upon which “ Barred Rock ” also strayed in his restricted perspective, that Air Liggins. was the nominee of the Utility Club, but fails to recognise that Mr Doig, the successful candidate, was also the nominee of a club. It was the duty of the parent body to weigh them in the balance. This was done and the result favoured Air Doig. Surely Messrs Green and “ Barred Rock ” realise that asking outside clubs for nominations for its judges is a courtesy extended by. the Christchurch Poultry Club and gives no assurance of election. Are they not acquainted with the subject of taking a poll. A nomination or recommendation behind a candidate may or may not weigh with the electors, who have the entire j decision in their hands, and it indicates a most unsportsmanlike spirit to express ill-feeling or dissatisfaction.at the non-election of their candidate. “Many are called but few are chosen.’ The matter was dealt with in open meeting and the defeated electors, with the exception of perhaps the instigator of this controversy, bowed to the voice of the meeting. Had the Christchurch Poultry Club elected the Utility Club's nominee, I wonder if the Leghorn Club would have “raised Cain.” Methinks not. Mr Green writes the Christchurch Poultry Club has blundered. Yes, that is so, but the blunder consists not in turning down their nomineee, but in extending to the Utility Club the courtesy of furnishing a candidate. With reference to Messrs Jeffreys and Bradford, who Air Green asserts are men of experience, if he considers it is within his “ propriety'” to ask for an explanation regarding the election of these gentlemen to the honourable position of judge, the Christchurch Poultry Club is the party from whom to seek this information. I have never taken exception to any of the judges elected, but would have failed in a duty had I permitted “ Barred Rock's ” " uncouth criticism have gone unchallenged, and my object writing was to refute the reflections cast upon a good judge by such uncalled for criticisms. If Air Green and “ Barred Rock ” have no objection to the judges elected, why all this pother;? I have yet to learn that outsiders have the right to question the jurisdiction of an institution over its own affairs. There are many intelligent poultry men and I do not accept the biased sentiments expressed by Messrs Green and “ Barred Rock ” in their trespass upon the precincts of the Christchurch Poultry Club, as indicating the feelings of the members of the Utility Poultry Club. For they are not all so lacking in the fanciers’ spirits of broadmindedness.—l am, etc., F. R. BUST. A REMARKABLE SUGGESTION. To t3ie Editor. Sir, —In his letter in last Saturday’s “Star,” Mr J. W. Green makes a most

' remarkable suggestion He wrote 4 “I* fail to see why a club composed of . members of utility and fanciers, mostly fanciers, should turn the Utility Club’s nomination down.” Mr Green’s own words. indicate the reason, but if he cannot see it he must be blind indeed. Ilis remarks suggest the impossibility. They not onl}* mean that the utilityites and the fanciers each select their own judges, but they also mean that the whole constitution of the club would have to be altered. And if carried to a logical conclusion each class would select its judges, name the classes and the amount of prize money, and allocate the cups, and take their share in the general labour and expenses of a show. One could imagine the confusion that would exist, and as the 1 Utility Club has set the example of whining about their nominee it might be followed by the Leghorn and Minorca Club and the other eight or nine clubs which exist in Christchurch, though I have some faith that the said clubs would take the matter in a more sporting spirit. I am pleased to hear from Mr Green that the Christchurch Club is composed mostly of fanciers. That will in some measure account for the Christchurch shows being likened to the Palace shows in England. Fanciers breed for the love of the game, and if the club has blundered. as Mr Green says, it is not for any gain to be obtained in the trafficking of eggs and poultry flesh. There are over 400 members of the club, chiefly cottagers, who-, take an interest in purebred poultry. Their opinion is worth more tQ -the, industry than the few professonal poultry-keepers, and their work of love, combined with that of the similar clubs, is what an English writer called the backbone of the poultrv' industrv.—l am, etc., P.G. . j

To the Editor. Sir, —In Barred Rock’s notes in last Saturday’s “Star” he says that he worked the averages of the flock teams, including those that had died. In the singles and three-bird teams he has omitted to do this (most inconsistent). I leave this for the public to judge for themselves. Then he says that the flock teams have suffered. How about the whole competition two years ago, when the dead birds were included? Then he says the average must be done the same each year. Why j did he not work them the same as the late Mr Shaw? lie would not need to have changed-at all. No, “Barred Rock,” you are in a hole and cannot get out. lie then says that his methods were not. criticised last year. That may be, but two wrongs don’t make a right. Then he says he will forgo his claim to the world’s record if I or anyone else can prove otherwise. Surely “Barred Rock” in his position could find this out for himself without rushing into print with his record score of his ducks. If “Barred Rock” is still of the same mind as regards his ducks, l am quite willing to forfeit one guinea, the loser to donate same to any charitable institution.—l am, etc., J. R. GRIFFEN. Allandale.