POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 276, 10 August 1918, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES

(By "Chanticleer.")

The Valuo of Heavy Breeds, Wo are a, long way behind tho Australians in breeding tho heavy varieties for egg production. A glanco at tho cornpetition returns shows that theso birds are losing ground, while in Australia they are at tho top of the tree. It was generally assumed that the record-breakct'B in Australia were not lino representatives of tho breed. This is a fallacy. The Hack Orpingtons in New South Vales alio 1 'Victoria are of tho highest analty and excellent type. It is evident wo are spending more time in New Zealand on tho light, varieties. Tho heavy breeds deserve mora attention. They should improve considerably. Not only may they become f,ooa egg producors but they aro tho bext lor the tablo poultry market. Tho Winter Layen The heavy breed birds properly bred, can always be relied on for heavy wimer laying. An instance is afforded from Oxford where, during tho snow season, the Leghorns gave up laying, while the Whito Bocks and Black Orplnglouß kept at tlm work. Tho winter test at Papanui has been won by Atkinson Bros, with 495 eggs, while the heavy breeds in Black Orpingtons did 347 and Silver Wyandottes 282. The Indian Runner ducks, which are noted for their winter laying, did 504. It is ovident .that tho feeding of the heavy breeds is faulty, or the breeders are oil tho track. Taking Australian ngures, three birds among Black Orpingtons have done as much aa six of our New Zealand birds in the same period. In, tho single pen test at Papanui the White Leghorn has done 99 eggs as against the Black Orpington's 72. Tho Leghorn is owned, by Mr. Gee, and is a fine bird. Sho laid for 69 days without a miss. Tor tho winter months, this is one of the greatest scciuenceß on record. Hie Egg Supply. Eggs are coming ii}. more freely, and as the weather improves it is certain that prices will ease considerably. Tho Grand National demands have been supplied. Tho producers have received higher price* for July and August than for any other nrevious year. It 1e essential to food egg- production that ample food be supplied. One producer who has SO per writ. of his pullets laying soya ho is feeding pollard 501b., bran 301b., moat meal 10>b., linseed meal 101b., tho -whole mixed with lukewarm water or preferably warm skint milk. No ona should keep the birds short of food. It Is most"necessary tnatjhey be fed more than is required for bodily maintenance or tho egg supply will bo low. A bird will manufacture egg material only when her own ned for sustenance, has been supplied. Railway Concessions. In reply to a renuest from the executive of the N.Z. Poultry Association that the Railway Department grant a concession on freight on return birds from competitions, Mr. E. Hiley, General Manager, says:—2J have the honour to inform you that poultry consigned to'recogtnised egg-laying competitions is granted exactly the same concessions accorded to return exhibits from agricultural and other shows, provided the provisions required by the regulations are carried out." This will save competitors a good deal in railage if they -will only attend to the filling up of tho necessary certificates. Notes. The "Reliable Poultry Journal of America" has written Mr. F. A. Wilson_ asking for the systems of feed adopted in New Zealand during the war, also pai'ticalars of breeding, housing, etc., usually practised in New Zealand. The N.Z.U.P. Club has been presented with two fine challenge shields, one for Blank Orpingtons, the olhcr for White Leghorns. These shields are to be competed tor next year.