POULTRY NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 62, 14 March 1931, Page 26 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

(By " CROW BLACK.”) A special meeting of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club will be held in the club rooms, Hereford Street, on Tuesday evening. The schedue for the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s Young Bird Show, to be held on March 21, has been issued and is obtainable from Messrs S. H. Marshall. G. Heath (show secretary) and R. Pearce. A fine list of special prizes has been allotted to most sections. Two championships have been allotted by the South Island Poultry Association, one each for the best light breed and best heavy breed. The United Pigeon Fanciers’ Club has donated two specials of 10s 6d for competition amongst its members at the Show. The prizes are for the best fancy pigeon in the open and junior classes. Entries close on March 18. In the cat section of the schedule for the Utility Club’s Young Bird Slioav therte are several mistakes that should be noted by cat and rabbit fanciers. Mrs Radford is the judge for the kitten classes. The special prize-list is not quite correct, and intending exhibitors should obtain particulars from the Cat Club secretary, Mrs L. Lewis, 17, Jubilee Avenue, North Beach. Mr F. S. Andrews has kindly consented to examine all kittens before being benched at this Show. Two classes have been omitted from the list of classes. 183— Dark male, six months and under; 183 a Dark female, six months and under. Messrs E. V. Arthur and W. Cochrane, two prominent Greymouth fanciers, were visitors to Christchurch during the Fanciers will be pleased to know that Mr W. Mabley, who has been an inmatte of the Christchurch Hospital for a very long time, is home again. Mr C. P. Bradford is also about again after his accident. At a meeting of representatives of the Homing Pigeon Societies, held on Wednesday evening, Mr G. Robertson presided. Arrangements were made for conducting the flying race to be held in conjunction with tire Christchurch Poultry Club Show. It was decided that the race be held on April 25 from Blenheim to Christchurch, and that entry to be Is per bird. Mr C. Kingsford, Victoria Street, was elected secretary for the race, and will supply all particulars. The birds will be hampered at the Canterbury Flying Club’s rooms, where all clocks will be set and checked. The Lyttelton Fanciers’ Club will hold a meeting this evening in the club rooms, London Street. Thte New Zealand Cat Club will hold a meeting at 194 a, Armagh Street, next Tuesday evening. There have been some alterations in the list of judges for the Utility Club’s young bird show. The corrected list is as follows:—All open classes and ducks, Mr A. Gapes; bantams, Mr .1. I >. Gobbe; utility light breeds, Mr W. .1. Chambers; utility heavy breeds. Mr A. Gapes; canaries. Mr R. W. Thompson; fancy pigeons, Mr .1. M. M'Leari; homers, Mr C. Martin; kittens, Mrs G. Radford; rabbits, Mr A. Lawrence. At the meeting of the Christchurch Poultry Club on Monday evening an invitation from the Rangiora Poultry* Club to a card match this evening was accepted. Fanciers will be pleased to know that Mr W. Hart, the well-known Hastings bantam fancier, came through the earthquake quite safely, although both Mr and Mrs Hart had many exciting experiences. On Mr Hart’s return from the World's Poultry Congress he brought a number of Modern Game bantams back with him, and he had some eggs sitting from these birds during the earthquake and had good results. The chicks are now doing well. Egg Grading Regulations. I The following is a digest of proposed egg grading regulations, supplied by the Department of Agriculture:—(l) “First quality ” egg means a fresh egg of which the shell is sound and free from stains and dirt, the yolk translucent or faintly but not clearly visible, the white translucent and firm, and in which the air cell does not exceed in depth. (2) A fresh egg means an egg in which no process of putrefaction and no development of the ovum has begun. (3) Grading is not compulsory. (4) Any organisation handling a minimum of

1500 dozen eggs per week during the flush season may apply for a grading license. If the Department of Agriculture considers the applicant suitable and is satisfied that the regulations will be carried out, it may register the premises of such an organisation as a grading store. (5) Hen eggs and duck eggs intended for consumption within the Dominion shall be the only eggs which may be graded under these regulations. (6) Hen eggs shall be graded into one or other of the following:—Special grade; A grade (standard); B grade (medium); C grade (small). (7) The grade ,shall be determined by reference to the weight of individual eggs in accordance with the following standards. All eggs so graded must conform to the requirements of first quality eggs. Special grade: minimum weight per egg 2ioz. A grade: minimum weight per egg 2oz, with the proviso that the inclusion of a reasonable proportion of 1 3 5-16 oz eggs will not disqualify the grade provided that each dozen eggs Weighs over 240 z to the dozen. B grade: minimum weight per egg 1 12-16 oz. C grade: all eggs under the minimum for B grade. (8) All eggs submitted for grading shall be candled to determine quality. (9) All hen eggs graded under these regulations shall be stamped to indicate:—(l) Date of grading, (2) grade, (3) grading store. (10) All eggs submitted for grading but which do not conform to the standard for fresh eggs shall be rejected. If fresh, but not otherwise up to first quality eggs, they shall be deemed to be and sold as ungraded eggs. (11) There shall be no fee for inspection for the first year, the position to be reviewed at the end of that time. Inspection will be carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture. (12) Monthly returns of number of eggs graded and their respective grades shall be made by each grading store. (13) No person shall sell or expose for sale for consumption in any district, any eggs as graded eggs, unless such eggs have been duly graded m accordance with the provisions of these regulations. (14) Unless with the specific approval of the Director first had and obtained in writing, no person shall stamp with any stamp or mark, any ungraded eggs interided for sale for consumption in any district. (15) It shall not be lawful for any retailer to sell or expose for sale any ungraded eggs unless such eggs are clearly placarded as ungraded. (16) It shall not be lawful for any retailer to sell ungraded eggs unless there is placed in every package containing same, a notice indicating that such eggs are ungraded. (17) Eggs imported into New Zealand shall be individually stamped with the words “ Imported from, ’ followed by the name of the country in which they were produced, the same conditions to apply to the outside ot the ease. (18) Eggs for sale, preserved by any chemical substance, word !: r | ,r , .s’Vv , ' f | I,l V Sh, .‘ n wHh ,he eggs for sale must l»e stamped on the shell with the word “Chilled.'’ Grit Essential. “ There is nothing more essential for poultry than grit, for without it they cannot digest their food. if there is a lack of this material, the gizzard cannot function properly, and the result is indigestion and impairment of health. grit must always be of the right kind. By the right kind I mean particles of sharp flint, for grit must be both sharp and hard if it is to grind up the food in the gizzard properly. The respective functions of grit and crushed oyster-shell are often confused. The latter*' does not take the place of grit, but is given in addition to assist shell-format ion. Food undergoes a softening process in the laird’s crop. Eunctions of Gizzard. “Many poultry-keepers appear to take it for granted that the function of the gizzard is solely to grind the food, and that grit is required for such grinding. Food is not ground or milled by the fowl. As a matter of fact in the interior of the bird’s# body it undergoes a series of changes which lit it for absorption into the vessels. When taken into the crop the foodstuff is submitted to a process of maceration or softening by the fluids which are liberated bv minute ducts. Then it is forced into the stomach, where it is brought into contact with gastric juice. This binds the

food in a pulpy mass for admission to the gizzard. In the gizzard it is completely broken and thoroughly masticated and treated with anzyme or ferment. After mastication the food-mass enters the duodenum, where most of the nutriment is absorbed; and after assimilation the mass is carried away through the intestines. Actions of Solvents. “ That is, briefly, the total action of digestion, and it may be summed up as a series of successive exposure to the actions of solvents, each of which is capable of dissolving certain of the food ingredients. At no time during the whole process of digestion is the food “milled” by grit; it is softened and broken up by juices. From a mechanical point of view, grit enclosed in an elastic pouch—i.e., for example, the gizzard —cannot pulverise grain, swollen by moisture and equally elastic. Grinding is out of the question. For what purpose, therefore, are stones, oyster-shell and other gritty substances taken? The birds do take them, if given the opportunity, because some will generally be found in the gizzard of almost every healthy bird. It has been proved beyond doubt that a certain percentage of grit goes to form the plumage, bone, etc., of the bird, while the mineral matter in it serves the same purpose to the fowl as common salt serves to man. namely, to affect the chemical combination of the food material. Granted, these elements are found in the various grains, seeds and the like of which poultry partake; but they are not in the food in sufficient quantity for the need of layers which have to produce the large number of eggs now demanded of them. Hence the necessity for providing hens and pullets with grit; hut of a kind that is most valuable to them. Requires Care. “ This is a point that requires care, and it is as important as selecting foodstuffs. We can dismiss the theory that fowls eat grit because, having no teeth, they require a regular supply of it to enable them to grind the food in their gizzards. They take grit for its mineral values. The egg-shell contains over 91 per cent calcium carbonate. Hence, grit which has a high percentage of it should be chosen. Whereas samples of flint grit have proved in analysis to contain as much as 4 6 per cent of the insoluble silicuris matter, and less than 37 per cent carbonate of lime —the very mineral that aids in the formation of eggs, blood, and bone—limestone grits in the best samples analysed have been found to contain as much as 99.84 per cent calcium carbonate. As a matter of fact, limestone grit serves a double purpose, because it Is not only a masticator, but it provides that vital mineral salt, calcium carbonate. However, with foodstuffs, one should he particular as to the analysis, because it naturally varies according to quarries in various parts of the country. The best brands are, in addition to being high in calcium carbonate, hard, dry and clean, and in this respect it may be said that the grey or white crystalline limestones are richer in lime content, the dark grey often being deficient. As to the remark that, grit must bo ’sharp, many contend that its use can be harmful through it passing into, the intestines and the sharp edges cutting the delicate membranes, it is an open question as to whether or not innumerable cases of peritonitis are not due to this cause.”—“ Poultry,” England. Soil Affects Beg Colour. It is well known that vegetable growth is affected, as regards colour, by the ingredients extracted from the soil, and it is. an accepted fact among the majority of poult rymen that the soil affects the leg colour of fowls. At the same time the too free use of wood ash in the fowls' dust-bath has a prejudicial effect on leg colour. The alkali in it (when not mixed with a good proportion of sand or gravel) is so strong as to affect this result. When wood ash is used at all in the dust-bath it should be first bleached. Finely-sifted coal ash is quite as good as the other for this purpose, while it possesses very little of the strong penetrating dye. As to a wood ash heap for the fowls to roll in, by itself, this should never be. permitted. It will invariably bleach the colour of the legs in time. Felvic Bones. A good layer does not always retain the 2in or more distance between her pelvic bones and the 4in (more or less) between liter pelvic- bones and the point of her keel-bone or breast-bone. These parts contract when the hen has gone off lay. At such a time the pelvic bones may almost touch each other at

their points, white the hen’s abdominal cavity may shrink and thus considerably decrease the distance between the pelvis and the end of the keel-bone. Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club. The Chrstehurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club held a meeting on Monday evening. Owing to the absence of the president, Mr A. E. Hounsell, through illness, Mr G. E. Jeffreys occupied the chair. A tetter was received from the Christchurch Canary and Cage Bird Club asking the club to reconsider its decision not to include amateur classes In the schedule. The matter was held The New Zealand Cat Club wrote in connection with the examination of all exhibits in tlie cat section. The matter was left to the Penning Committee with powter to act. Mr A. W. M’Nicolls’s notice of motion In the matter of the alteration of show regulations was lost on a division being taken. Mr W. Puddle was elected a member of the club, and Mr K. J. Olivier was nominated. The election of judges for the club s June show resulted as follows: Game, Mr R. H. Johnstone; all Leghorns, open classes, Mr R. Wilson; Minorcas (open and utility, Mr £.. R. Thomson; Anconas, open arid utility and variety bantams, Mr A. W. M’Nicoll; Wyandbttes, oplen and utility, Mr G. E. Jeffreys; Rhode Island Reds and utility Black Orpingtons, Mr A. E. Hounsell; Modern Game Bantams and any other variety poultry, Mr J. Sykes; Sussex, open and utility, Mr C. P. Bradford; utility White Leghorns, Mr H. Williams; any other variety Leghorns. utility, Mr P. Jack; any other variety utility, Mr J. D. Gobbe; ducks, open and utility, Mr A. Gapes; Old English Game Bantams, Mr 11. Watkinson; Black Rosecombs, Mr J. C. Wilson. Pigeons, fancy, self clean-legged Tumblers, Mr H. Wiltshire; any other xariety clean-legged Tumbler, Mr F. W. Chambers; Muff Tumblers and utility pigeons, Mr J. M. M’Leari; Magpies, Mr C. P. Bradford; F&ntails, Pouting breeds and Turbits, Mr W. P'raser; Orientals, Frills, Mr J. Beech; and other variety, Mr G. H. Bradford; junior classes, Mr C. Gallop; Homing pigeons, old birds, Mr A. C. M’Killop; young birds, Mr J. Hitc-hings; coloured and junior classes. Mr L. Wiltshire; cats, Mrs Talbot and Mr T. H. Jones; canaries, Norwich (held over); Yorkshire, Mr A. Gapes; aP other varieties, Mr 11. Beardsley; rabbits, Mr Radford; needlework, Mrs P\ Martin; cookery, Mr Green. Council Meeting. The council of the South Island Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association met in the Christchurch Poultry Club rooms on Monday evening, Mr G. E. Jeffreys presiding. Correspondence was received from the North Island Poultry Association stating that they had agreed to the South Island Association’s proposals regarding white in face of young birds in the new utility standard. The Westport Poultry Club wrote stating that they were not taking part in the association’s art union this year. The council thought this was a retrograde step on the part of thte West Coast Club, and it was left in the hands of Hi. secretary to write and point out the advantages of continuing with the art union. The New Zealand Poultry Association wrote stating that a remit dealing with the free use of drill halls where poultry shows were held would come up lor discussion at the annual conference in Auckland this month. The Dunedin Fanciers’ Club wrote for guidance in the matter of charges for entries for their show. The Department of Internal Affairs notified the association that its application for a permit for a gold dust art union had been granted. Pigeon Fanciers. The United Pigeon Fauci, f\s’ Club held a verv successful table show in the Christchurch Poult rv Club’s rooms on Wednesday evening. This was the th.rd show of the series of table shows arranged by this club. Mr H. Wiltshire adjudicated and made the following awards: Fantails —S. E. Bull 1,2 and special, Miss Rennie 3. Any otter varird v Mr <'. P. Bradford 1 nnri special, W Whitesides 2. Mr Wiltshire was aoeordted a vote of thanks tO TIu) M L'lluej”’ PlßPon Panders' Club held a meeting on Wednesday evening. Mr L. Wiltshire presiding. The Rangiora Poultry Club wrote asking for a nomination for a judge tor tin- fancy pigeon section of their show. Mr F. W. Chambers was selected to till tin position. i The Christchurch Poultry Club wrote

inquiring for the list of club specials for the coming show schedule. This matter was held over until the next meeting. Mr W. Mabley was elected to judge the next table show, to be held on .March 25.