Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 13, 16 January 1932, Page 20 (Supplement)

Poultry Notes

BREEDING BANTAMS FOB PLEASURE AND PROFIT

Everyone with a penchant for poul-try-keeping, even if the space at his disposal is somewhat limited, should keep a few bantams. They are easily managed, and give one insight to tne poultry business which may prove of great benefit at a later date. The majority of tho varieties are extremely healthy and vigorous, being easily fed and reared.

The housing need not be elaborate or costly, but, of course, they want room to scratch about for exercise, says an overseas writer. They soon become very tame, and much pleasure can bo derived in attending to them. If fed scientifically on the same Hues as large poultry thev will produce a surprising number of’fair-sized eggs. Bantams can be kept both for exhibition and utility purposes. It is surprising how the interest is increased if the birds can be exhibited and are able to win a few prizes. When this is done it gives the owner even a wider field and will increase further his general knowledge of the poultry business. Perhaps the most useful variety of the great bantam family is the Wyandotte. It is to be got in all the colours, white, black, blue, partridge, Columbian, Cuckoo and Spangled. The firstnamed is the best dual-purpose variety. It is very largely bred, and good laying strains can be obtained, some of which lay remarkably large-sized eggs. These points have to be ascertained when purchasing the stock. A start can be made with a cockerel and a trio of hens. It is advisable to endeavour to get the male as small as possible, whilst the hens should be as Shapely a s possible, although they need not be so small. Feeding is. of course a very important factor in bantam breeding, for the birds must not grow too big or become too fat. Old English Game. The Old English Game Bantam !s root her admirable breed for the amateur poultry farmer. Here again there is a big choice of varieties, but there is nc doubt that the übiquitous Spangle ii by far the most useful. This variety is extremely vigorous, and tho little hens will hatch out their chicks even under the most adverse circumstances and rear them. The Spangle is very pleasing in appearance, but it is not just an easy matter to breed specimeus that can win prizes. The self-col ours are also easilyhandled and breed true to colour. They are also very prolific, but their eggs are not always as large as those of the Spangle. The Black Red is the beau ideal of exhibition breeders’ breeds, but it is difficult to produce the bright beautiful colour required in the show pen. For exhibition purpose Old English Game must have very fine bone with, white shanks and feet. In some of the self-colours, however, dark coloured legs are allowed. Of the other breeds of bantams suitable for limited space are the Rosecombs and the Pekins. Rosecombs, either black or white, are very dainty and lay a goodly number of eggs. They require a little special attention to keep their robes in good condition. Pekins are very quaint with their heavily feathered feet. It is a difficult matter, however, if they are allowed their freedom, to prevent these footings getting broken. This variety is also very prone to scaly leg, which must be kept in check at all times.