Pink Leghorns

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1914, Page 2

Pink Leghorns

Mr Hugh Shaw, of Itestdown Kslaic, near Rochester, Victoira, i.» an ardent ])oultry fancier. He prides himself on the purity of his strains, and his especial pride is a pen of White Leghorns ,which are well bred. About a week ago Mr Shaw noticed that his pets' plumage was changing colour, and was at a loss io account for the

ell a n ire

Gradually the white of his layers turned iti a "beautiful pink, and Mr Shaw thought as his hens arc not due to moult for a month or two, that lie was the lucky possessor of a galali cockatoo strain. Seeing that there are flocks of lh( 'se beautiful native Kirds breeding" on the river near by, he was justified in his hybridising surmise. Even Ohantieleer of this particular pen wore plumes of a <>orgeous pink, and carried himself proudly, as did his less dowdy consorts. The effect was pleasing, yet none the less mystifying.

Mr Sli aw Av;ts unable to account for (hp metamorphosis till recently, when lie discovered that his fowls were using" a hag of ground pryites ns a dust bath The pyrites powder, which, is used for making" a cheap paint, had been bought with other tilings at an auction sale. some time ago, tlirown aside, and forgotten, till brought into use by the Leghorns, for their toilet. Mr Shaw is so pleased with the soft pink powder that he intends to allow his fowls to pander to their vanity, provided that their laying" capabilities are not neglected.