POULTRY PATTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 22

POULTRY PATTER.

To the lCditor. Sir,—lt seemed as though the heavens had opened, so heavy was the rain, and as I took shelter under a verandah I saw a light in the Poultry Club’s rooms and decided to enter. Several well-known poultrymen had decided on a talk and I listened with interest for two hours. Mr Hawke was holding forth when I entered the club rooms. He was telling how they fed the birds at the first competition, and there was a general laugh when he said the mashes were mixed with water. I saw nothing to laugh about because, although poultrymen mix with super milk, there is no fault with the water, for the hen and the egg are about three parts water and the ratio compiled by the principal of Lincoln College ranges from 1.375 to 1.5, so that if the hens did not lay it was not because of a bad food balance. Mr Ilavvke went on to speak of the better housing and he conveyed the impression that the open-fronted house was a Utility Club idea, but it is -an old Yankee notion, and nobody would think of taking the housing accommodation at Papanui as a model. Then a Mr Bradford got up. He was full of information of great interest. lie told us of two pullets that were picked by a judge at a show, but were nowhere at laying. Such pullets are a pitfall for judges, but now that Mr Bradford has told them how to dodge it judges will be grateful. Mr Bradford sneered at the fanciers having to import birds, and said the utility men did not do so, but worked oil their old strain and were able to send birds to America, England and China. lie should let the pigeon men into the secret; it would save them importing. Mr Bradford was particularly interesting on broody hens, incubators, classes for cats and needlework, etc. So much so that I am looking forward to him and Mr Beck giving a lecture on the educational value of laying tests.—Yours, etc., HENWIFE.