POURTRY NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1651, 18 January 1913, Page 14

POURTRY NOTES.

(By Ghnntccler.)

The Government Farms. Somo publicity lias been given to a rumour that tho Government poultry farms aro to bo closed. This rumour has often found its way into the daily press, but tlits farms go on just the same and continue to do tho Rood work assigned to them. Tho need for their existence has been demonstrated by tho high prices paid for poultry during the past year. The farms circulate among farmers more settings of eggs from tho heavy breeds than all other poultry breeders in New Zealand put together. Wero it not for this, tablo poultry would bo scarcer than it is. During the Sast 'season the'farms received more orers for settings and breeding stock than they could supply; so it is evident that there is need for them. The. good work which the farms havo dono is amply demonstrated by tho improved miality of poultry that exists in tho country. That farmers do not cater for the dcmnnd for table poultry is to bo regretted. Otherjines/of farming pursuits probably offer greater profits owing to high prices being obtained,' but there are signs of greater interest being taken among farm-' ers in the production.. In southern mar-ket-.reports last week it appeared'that farmers who went to the trouble of raising good, table poultry. were, rewarded with 9s. per pair in one ll auction. ™."t----k'et. Such a price should be an incentiveto fanners. , . ' Egg-Laying Tests. . 'We have received the schedule of the 1913-14 egg-laying test to be held 1 at Papanui. Special inducement is being offered' this year for'tho heavy classes. Messrs. Adams and Merrett, Christchurch, aro giving fivo guineas, special prize, for the competitor securing .tho greatest weight 'of. eggs and the most points. for table birds. , It. is ■ felt that 1 something should be donq to increase the table .poultry, in New :Zcaland., Tho exceptionally, high prices ruling just now should :er.courago farmers, to take up the work of poultry raising.- ■; '', A ':■ Record Laying, If all goes well with the threo leading pens in, the New. Zealand egg-laying test there will bo somo. remarkable records established. Already records for nine months havo been attained by tho three leading pens and all competitions yet held— Messrs. Nixon, 1275; Mumby, 1195;'Irvine, 1157. v In the duck competition, .world's records have also been obtained—Messrs. Mumby, 1228; Douthwaitc, 1220; Hall, 1215. These remarkable returns place New Zealand poultry breeders in tho front rank. Judging from appearances i 1 looks as if the Australian record of 1584, obtained last year, will bo passed,,and the 1600 mark|' obtained. ,- ' '..1 '' '. Remarkable Layers. ;■ ! A few years ago, competitions were fhst hold tho "00-egg hen was regarded as a wonder. In few short years the number'has been increased to 250, and shows what, careful 'hreeding has done. It-is questionable whether the . competitions will' continue to, be filled when such breeders as theso are in the field. Unless a competitor, has' stock of the very highest grado it simply means a ,£lO loss to him. It is also recognised that anything over 200 eggs per «nnum is endangering tho health of.- tho flock and brings in various • troubles; Nature'will not bs forced beyind a certain limit. Tho penalty awaits -.the breeder who-does this. It is better to attain in good general averago'and their rest satisfied.

LAYING TESTS, .t. • —: ."■■ '

'■- -N.Z. UTILITY CLUB'S, FIGURES. [Club's, eighth laj-iug -competition, at Papanui, for fowls. Returns for 40th' week.] '.'■-.... ; Total Total for .to . . • - .:'•: Week. Date. ■W. A. Nixon, Burwood, W. : leghorns, No. 1 32 .1313 J. W. Green, St. Albans, W. •Loghorns ( ..' ; .'..'..;.-■ 28 -.1227 A, W. Irvihe,'Epsom, Whito . Leghorns Noi 1 31 1192 Heretaunga P. Co., , Silverstream, Br. Leghorns No. 1 27 ,1172 H; Leger, Weferoa, 'White' : ' ' Leghorns, No. 1 ............... 32 1170 :Here"taunga P. , Co., Silver- . strcanl.-'W. Leghorns, No.2' 23 . 1156 W. A. Nixon, Burwood, White Leghorns t :No. ,i -.!... 27 !. .1131. A. R. Browie, Petano'Beach, ' •Whito Leghorns '. ;..'.'..' 28 1130 A. E. Kent, Shirley, White ' • Leghorns, ......,....'. 20 1125 W. R. Wninnian', Runanga, W. ' Leghorns '.........'... ...17' 1117.' Wm., Scull, Christchurch, Black --Wyan-" dottes, John Wordsworth, Geraldine, Whito. Leghorns,. 28—1040; James Ashton, Haiimer, Silver Wyandbttes, '23— BSG; Martin Bros,, Auckland,' White Leghorns, 22—1111; Verrall Bros., Swannaofioa, Brown Leghorns, 15—1050; W. A. Nixon,'Burwood,'Brown Leghorns, No.'2, 20-1029; H. S. • Woodriorth, Winton, Brown Leghorns, 2-l-;1038; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Brown Leghorns, No. 3,'il9— 1037; R. M. Smith, Auckland, , Brown leghorns, 21—758; Rangiuru Egg H-ahch,: Otaki, Brown Loghorns, 26-SGO; R. W. Hawke,-Papanui, Brown lieghorns,/ 2,7—: 1035; R. Willis and Son, New Brighton,' Brown Leghorns, 28-1022; A. E. Wilson, Shirley,. White Wyaiulottes, 15—602; D; Stewart, Normanby, White Leghorns, 27— 993; Master G: Wilson; Shirley, "White Leghorns, 20-938; Romain Munger, Lower Hutt, Whito Leghorns, 25-9 SO; Mrs. R. W.' Hawke, Papanui, White Leghorns, 29—1115; A. Stevenson, Karori, Whits Leghorns, 15—837; Frankish Bros., Wanganui, White Leghorns, 24-1101; y?.. Knight, Lower Hutt, Silver Wyandottes, 23-=-1102; J.-H. Shaw and R. James, Christchurch, White Leghorns, 17-903'; W. G. Goodwin,, ; Thames, AVhito Leghorns, 18—820; W. A. Nixon,' Burwood, Silver Wyandottes, 27-1103; A, E. Wil"son, .Shirley, Silver Wyandottes, 16-93G; Misses Bradley, Papanui, ' White Leghorns, 18—1020; T. Kennedy, Rangiora, White Wyandottes, 12-681; CM. Peck,. Avondale, White Leghorns, 10—708;. N. Solomon,Westport, B. Orpingtons, C. M. Peck, Avondale, Black Orpingtons, 1G —846; G. H. Bradford, Gust, Silver Wyandottes, 16—851; A. W. Irvine, Epsom,' White Leghorns, No. 2, 28-1010 ;■ Heretaunga P. Co., Silverstream, White Leghorns, No. 2, 23-1156; .Middlepark P. Farm, Riccarton, White Leghorns, 26— 1035; T. Strong, Doyleston, White Leghorns, 28-95G; P. Keller, Rolleston, White Leghorns, 19—900; Percy Holt, Papakura, White Leghorns, . 32-1094; W., Lower Hutt, White Leghorns, 27-943; G. Anderson, St. Albans, Silver Wyandojttes, 13—980; J. W. Bradley and Son, Papanui, 1 Whito Leghorns, Mrs. J. Mills, Dunedin, White Leghorns, 25—974; W. O. Sail, Cust, White Leghorns, 28—967; CrawfoTd and Eodsey, Lower. Hutt, White Leghorns, 27—1091; R. A. Lazarus, Lower Hutt, Whito Leghorns,, 20—1103; W. O. Sail, Cust, Silver Wyandottes, 19-903; Misses Radford and Barker, Ohau, White Leghorns, 22-930; A. W. Adams, Sheffield, Silver Wyandottes, 21-941; J. Corrie, I Beckenham, White Leghorns, 24—998; E. | n. Borchart. Eltham, White Leghorns, 23 -927; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Whito Leghorns, No. 4.'27-1131; T. K. Collins,' Lower Hutt, Black Orpingtons, 26—803; Dominion P. Plant, Coromandel, White Leghorns, 20—1055; T. Kennedy, Rangiora Silver Wyandottes, 93—1035. ' '

. FOB DUCKS. (Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club's third laying competition for ducks. Fortieth wcek.J ■ Total Total for -to , week, date, Thos. Dowthwaite, Avondale,. • ■ Indian Runners „ 27 1251 W. Knight, Lower Hutt, Indian Runners 23 940 S. H. Scott, Onehunga, Buff Orpingtons 3 909 T. R. Hall, Wereroa, Indian Runners 20 1237 P. Keller, Rolleston, Indian Runners - 27 1167 D. M. Peck, Avondale, Indian Runners 1. 24- 1002 S. If. Soott, Onehunga, Indian Runners 10 827 Heretaunga P. Co., Silverstream, Indian Runners .... 20 1251, Miss A. J. Donald, Dunsandel, Indinit Runners 20 1014 : P. Keller, 'Rolleston, Indian Runners 13 1022