THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1360, 10 February 1912, Page 14

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

i (By Chanieder.)

An Up-to-Oate Catalogue. "We arc in rccoipt of an excellent poultry catalogue issued Ijy Mr. W. C. Uaris, "f Xapier. It cnutnins nlwut twenty pages, most of which urc ilevoled to useful hints fur bosinners in iinultvy t-ul-tiu't'. Thera is al'o an illuslnitioii sliuwiii? Hie various points liy which birds :iru Itiiown. .Mr. Davis )i«s grcsit confidciico in the poultry business, and holds that there has never been such a demand for esg- I""! poultry as that now ruling , . L information, is given to beginners on how to breed, build houses, hutch and rear chicken.;, what ( breed of birds to Mart with, feediiifr tho layers, and ranch more information which beginners want to know. Egg-laying Competition, 1912. Tho following entries have been rtv ceived for the 1012 egg-laying competition at ]'ananui: —Messrs. iiorccliart (Klliiam), Bqjvthwaite (Auckland), Irvine (Kp.-om), Keott (Onehnnga.), Lazarus mid ICuight (flntt), Goodwin (Thames), Itawke and Bradley O'apanni), Kennedy (Rangiora), Clarke (Halswcll), I'eek (Avondale), James (Corouinndcl), "Willis ami Son, AVilson, James, Anderson, Green, and lloskins (Cbriateliurch). The te>t will commence early in April. It expected that all the pens will be filled, though there is not the enthusiasm in competitions that lins been displayed in oilier years. There is to be a second year test among the leading pens of the present competition. Mr. John Rose. The funeral of the late Mr. John Rose, which took place at Christchurch, was largely attended. Mr. Hose was deservedly popular, and his. loss .to tho poultry, industry will be keenly felt. He was one of tlia best authorities in New Zealand on chicken raising, and a thorough expert in the care of poultry, lie was nn adviser to many beginners, and his advice could always bo counted on as practical. .Several beautiful wreaths were sent by the Christchurch Poultry i Club, Utility Club, and friends. Managing the Pullets. Tho management of the spring-hatched pullets expected to bo tho early winter layers of the stock now forms an importaut part of the poultry keeper's work. September and Gctobsr are the recognised months for hatching to obtain ths best results in winter-laying from heavy and light breed? respectively, and so it is with tho pullets hatched in those, months that one has now chiefly to bo concerned. These may be roughly divided into three classes: (1) Those just in tho pink of condition; (2) backward pullets; and (3) pullets that are a little too forward. In order to divide up the birds correctly the signs that denote their condition "of progress must bo considered. Early in February pullets in the best condition for winter egg production should have their bodies almost fully developed, their faces reddening up, and their combs beginning to grow and redden. A typical bird of the breed should bo studied in each case, and the pullets actually or mentally compared tvitl\ it, for tho bodies of non-sitting breeds are, even when fully developed, small when compared with the sitting varieties, while the combs of the former grow very much largei than thoso of tho latter, hence the importance, of knowing something of the standard typo of bird in. each breed kept when studying thi3 question. Backward pul- • 'ets 'may bo noted by the smaller size of 'their bodies, or by the fact that their faces and combs lfavo not commenced to redden at fill, nor the latter to grow atall, or it may be, ami is often, botb these signs in conjunction that denote backwardness. Precocious pullets may be distinguished by tho fact of their heads and combs being very red and their combs full : .size;.:or nearly so; it may be that their "oodiife are also well and fully developed but it is just as likely, indeed more probable, that they will be hardly so: in their ease, their condition is not desirable as the beginner may often fondly suppose. Now with regard to tho treatment of Iheso various classes of pullets. Thoso constituting tho first class may be briefly dismissed with the advice to continue" their treatment on tho same lines as hitherto. It will, however, be found most desirable, as a rule, to put such pullets very soon into their permanent winter quarters in order that a change later on may not interfere with their normal and satisfactory progress. With regard to .thoso forming class two, some poultry keepers inav think that it is early to speak of backward pullets.-but if they are still allowed to be "backward pullets" at the end of March or April it will be too late to enable them to reap the full advantage of proper treatment. At present, unless they are very backward, their condition need not cauii? anxiety. Tho mere fact of separating them from the others more for-, ward than themselves will Kiyc them a splendid opportunity for making up for lost time. In any case, there can bo no better advice than to give a change of run and surroundings to bring them on, moving them, if possible, to land not previously used for poultry, or land that has been purified and rested. In addition to this, they must bo generously fed, a change of diet being also useful where it is practicable. Tho food should bo nourishing and stimulating, including a good quantity of lean meat; if they have not been having tho best oats they should be given them, and where it has not been used for the morning nioal middlings should be fed, and some meal should also be included in tho soft food unless very nourishing household scraps can be. provided. At the same time, care must be taken to see that tho birds do not got over-fat by continuing to encourage them to take plenty of exercise. In class three we havo an undesirable condition in that they may be hardly fully developed, and if they begin to lay before reaching maturity they will ceaso to grow and very likely lay under-sized eggs, not only to begin with, but for ever. Secondly, even if they should be well and -fully developed, it they coiu- ' ireuce egg-producfion in February the j usual result' is that they lay a couple lof dozen eggs or so, and then possuny go broody, and most probably whether they go broody or not they cease to lay, iinci commence a. slight moult that serves to put them off the hay for very many ! weeks. . ! Such birds on the point of laying aregreatly affected by a change, though somewhat differently'to pullets in the condition of thoso in class two. The mere fact of moving such pullets as these ro new surroundings i>nts them quite back from tho laving point, us one, soon finds out if buying pullets "on the point of lavW it a high price at tho end of March; the change to a new yard puts them off for a period that may vary from a, week to a month, or even more. So, precocious pullets should be given a change of run, and, as far as possible, of surroundings; further, all stimulating food, such as meat, should be stopped. If, after this, they still show signs of premature egg-production, it may bo found necessary to change their runs again until towards the end of March when it will bo well to get them settled in their permanent winter quarters. A Popular Secretary, •U a recent meeting of the. New Zealand Utility Club .1 .resolution was passed thanking Mr. J. 11. fchaw, secrc-t-i-v- for the manner in which he had compiled the schedule for the. 1912 e»glaving competition. Mr. Sliaw pup -o'lid work into the affairs ot the club, and his efforts are appreciated.

LAYING COMPETITIONS,

Tho following ire the returns for tho forty-fifth week, endiug February 7, of tho New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's seventh laying competition for fowls:— Total Total for to Week. Date. A. H. Padman, Adelaide, White Leghorns 22 1007 \ I! Browne, Greenmeadows, White Leghorns 32 1270 T Collins Waiwetu, AVhite Lozhonis ■• • - "'1 C. M. Peek, Avnuclak Black Orpinslons •■• - :1 5 G. U. Barnett, Loeston, Brown Ucliorns ~ ~.—~~. 2D WGS

Herelaiinga Poultry Co., Hilvurstreaii,, YV. Leghorns ... 23 1-55 AV. Hnlpin, Grceniucadows, White Leghorns 23 1100 W. Knight, Hull, No. 1 AV. Leghorns M HUI A. J',. Wilson, Shirlev, AVhito Wyaiid.-iled .". IT 1077 AV. 'Knight, Hull, AVliite l.ephorns 17 1017 | Vcnall Bro~., Swannanoa, While Leghorns in 1070 A. ]•]. AVilson, Shirley, AVhito Leghurus 9 U'-6 Rangiuru Ranch, Otaki, AVhito Leghorns U 1153 D. Stewart, Normandy, Taranaki, White Leghorns 19 862 A. li. Menzies, Addington, Rose-combed AV. Leshorns... 11 911 Edgar Hall, Lower Hutt, B. Orpingtons U 937 C. Hammond, Ruakura, AY. Plymouth Rocks 35 10G3 ti. i'inn, Wellington, AA'hite Leghorns 9 IC-I Dominion Poultry Plant, Coroimindel, AV. Leghorns 22 1005 A. R. Browne, Greenmeadows, White Leghorns 15 IH9 Mrs. R. AV. Hawke, Papamii, AVhito I.eu'horns 27 IOU Mrs .1. Mills, Dunedin, AV. ' Lediorus 30 11S1 E. Willis and Sons, New Brighton, B. Orpingtons ... H SS2 H. Meadows, Spreydon, White Leghorns 26 9SB P. .1. Keller, Rolleston, Campines 21 809 AV. G. Goodwin, Thames, AV. Le-jhorus 24 111G R. Willis and Sons, Now Brighton, AV. I«borns 17 1072 A. AV. Irvine, Epsom, White Leghorns 17 1119 T. Kennedv, Rangiora, Silver Wyamlottre 19 1220 James Ashtou, Hanmcr, Silver AVyandottes 13 <7S P. J. Keller, Rolleston, While Lcshorns 27 10GO G. 11. Bradford, Cust, AVhiie Leghorns 23 675 D. Y. Gibson, Herbert, AVhite Leghorns 23 1159 AV. Nixon, Bunvood, A\ Into Le-horns 31 1233 H. M. Bannehr, Riccarton, AV. Plymouth Rocks 20 840 Thomas Frethey. Martraborough, Buff Lcdioms 24 1113 C. L. Bridges, Wanganui, AV. Leghorns 15 1000 James Maxwell, Masterton, Black Orpingtons 19 BOG G. H. Robinson, Christcliurch, AVhite Leghorns 17 95S A. E. Keat, Shirley, AVhite Leghorns 27 1053 AA T . Balch, Belfast, White Leghorns 28 101G Horctaunga Poultry Co., Silverstrcam, W. Leghorns ... 21 . 1210 N. Solomon, AVcstport, AV. Leghorns 15 1033 A. AV. Irvine, Epsom, AY. I Leghorns 20 9D3 G. H. Robinson, Christchurch, B. Orpingtons 15 1120 A. Stevenson, AVellingtou, AV. Leghorns 26 1092 H. Lcger, AVoreroa, White Leghorns 23 1039 W. O. Sail, Oust, Avhito Leshons 20 1120 Master Gordon AA T ilson, Shirley, White Leghorns 9 1031 A. E. Ivi linear, Adelaide, AV. Leghorns 2t 1089 T. Do'.vthwaile, Auckland, AA 7 hite Lcshorns 22 BG2 A. Tisch, Dallington, AVhito Leihorns 20 1211 C. M. Peck, Avon'Jile, W. Leghorns 22 HIS A. i , . H. Sutherland, Wellington, AV. Ply'th Rocks ... 2G 799 T. Kenno-Jv, Rangiora, White AVyairlottes -.... 27 1138 A. AV. Adams, Sheffield, Silver AVyandottes 21 910 W. Scull, Christchurjh, B. ' Wyandottes 20 1013 AA'. Nixnn, Burwood, "White Leghorns 31 1242 Misses M_. and M. Bradley, Papanui, AV. Leghorns 18 1242 J. W. Green, St. Albaus, W. Leghorns 29 1173 1,300 63,067 FOR DUCKS. The following are tho returns for tho 45th week of the secDnd egg-laying competition for ducks:— Total Total for fo week. date. Heretaiinga Poultry Co., Silverstream, J. Runners 19 1253 AV. Kui?ht, Hutt, I. Runners 12 1200 AV. Knight, Hutt, I. Runners SI 1060 S. H. Scott, Onehuaga, I. Runners 0 672 T. Strong, Doylcston, Indian j Runners G 907 S. H. Scott, Onehunga, Indian Runners 0 812 C. Hammond, Ruakura, I. Runners 15 105S A. R. BrDwne, Groenmeadows, Indian Runners 13 1137 W. IlDdgson, Cheviot, Indian Runners 0 SO2 T. Dowthwaite, Avondale, I. Runners G 594 T. R. Hall, Wereroa, Indiaji Runners li IOGO B. A. O'Brien, AA'aihi, Indian Runners io 9C6 P. J. Keller, Rolleston, Indian Runners g 1503 P. AVcbb, Levin, I. Runners ... 7 723 ———____ 131 13 ' S7O