POULTRY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 187, 15 August 1901, Page 4

POULTRY NOTES.

(By Feathery Legs.l

That the Poultry Show is becoming ft popular fixture here, is evident by the number of visitors to the Show, although it seems to me passing strange that the class which would probably benefit most through these exhibitions of birds and the lecture by Mr Hyde, were conspicuous by , their absence. The farmers, I refer to, j and from what I can learn, their experi- j ence, like Mr Schmidt’s, has been a losing : one. but at that time there was only a j 1 colonial market, which was usually overstocked. To-day this is altered, and the I demand far exceeds the supply, and if people will only go in for the breeds as suggested by Mr Hyde, they will command a good sale at remunerative prices. Take for instance Dunedin, last month they shipped away 157 cases, containing nearly 3000 birds, which is a record for j the colony. They were so well satisfied | with the result of previous shipments, and the Government has now a standing order for 3000 birds a month. I noticed at the show a general all-round improvement in most of the popular classes, and the entries being all local birds must be considered very satisfactory, and it should prove also from the exhibits that the local fanciers are importing a real good strain of fowls that must have a good effect on the stock generally. There was one feature that struck me as indicative of the trend to discard the old-fashioned feathered leg birds for the new strains of Wyandottes and Orpingtons, and I enclose a clipping for those interested in these two breeds for and against, and my readers can take either side as they fancy; but on paper the Orpingtons certainly carry the day. I also enclose a clipping which shows the many’useful purposes kerosene serves in connection with the poultry industry.

BUFF ORPINGTON V. WHITE WYANDOTTE.

Mr H. E. Kelly, Campbclltown, would like to have the relative merits of Bull Orpington and White Wyandotte discussed and contrasted. Here is his individual opinion : —- “ At the present time I am frequently asked which is the most profitable fowl to keep, the Orpington or Wyandotte. Although, perhaps, invidious comparison of any breed is not a commendable subject for your poultry column, still, when it becomes a question of importance to poultry breeders, a discussion of it seems pertinent. There is a vast number of people who never have kept pure-bred poultry commencing this season to breed the better class. In poultry, as in all other branches of industrial life, that which supplies a human want best is wliat ought to be cultivated. Acting upon this incontrovertible maxim, I will very willingly give my experience of the two breeds under review. I read a considerable share of American poultry literature, through which I became imbued with the beauty and utility of the incomparable Wyandotte. The Goldens, being reputably the best for table, and the Whites for laying, I got both and have given them a fair trial. My experience is a very unfavorable one. At the same time I got the Buff Orpington, and for several years I have reared both, side by side, and under precisely similar conditions ; and I have no hesitation in stating that in every respect —I am dealing only with the utility aspect of the two breeds—the Buff Orpington is pre-eminently superior to the Wyandotte. The Bufi Orpington, as chickens, arc hardier and much more easiiy reared and mature more quickly, This is a big factor to be considered. The cockerels make better table fowls, and command a higher price. The pullets lay earlier, lay better, and lay longer. They arc freer from disease or ailments of any kind, for while the But! Orpington is tho least, the Wyandotte is one of the most susceptible to disease. While the Wyandotte is warming her body in the sunny corner, her nostrils running, her head swollen, tho Buff Orpington is unaffected, and searching a portion of her living through the fields. Again, the Buff lays more eggs of a larger size—l have Buff hens now laying eggs eight of which will weigh over lib, while ten Wyandotte eggs will hardly turn lib. As mothers and sitters, tho Buffs manifest superior qualities, for while Wyandottes are poor sitters and the worst mothers I over saw, the Buff Orpingtons rank among tho best. Tho 'Wyandotte is small, and the body frequently devoid of sufficient heat, and consequently a poor hatcher. After three weeks with tho chickens she will leave them. Some may say that is an advantage. Well, it does not appear much advantage to leave the little featherless chicks this time of year. On the contrary, the Buff is a good-sized lien, possessing ample warmth in her body, and will successfully cover three or four more eggs than the Wyandotte. To her chickens she will stick till they are well able to look after themselves. Such is my experience of the two breeds; and in honest and disinterested conscientiousness I advise those about to try a pure breed of poultry to adopt the Orpington Buff, and hereafter they will join with mo in saying that if Mr William Cook had done nothing else but originate that breed, he would merit a share of his countrymen’s gratitude.”