THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10607, 4 June 1920, Page 8

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

EXHIBITING STQCK. The show pens can be made of thd very greatest* value to the* breeders of utility stock. It is imperative, indeed to have competition if the standard os our poultry is to be maintained and if tha evils following in tho train of breeding according to egg performance alone era to be checked. -But the value or show competitions is entirely negatived if the pedigree is not entrusted to quail, fied men. It is much to be regretted that onlv at Palmerston North this year will the* Government instructors adjudicate on the utility classes. They are too busy with their other important I duties to be able to afford time to judge lat shows. And now that they cannot [judge, their past services to breeders [ and exhibitors are being properly appreciated. The work is a very thankless one, and trying at the same time. Th® judge however capable hae to put .no with a lot from some critics and tfie less a man knows about the busi--1 ness fie more ready he is to criticise. I The capable instructors of the department are no doubt well pleased to be rid of judging work. They are poorly .paid and have arduous duties especially seeing that they are enthusiastic to a degree and never consider the time they devote to the industry. The weakness of having no qualified judges to act was exemplified at some recent shows where purely “fancy" judges have been selected In one case a “fancier’ judge acted in both sections because the so-, ciety tailed to secure the services of a Government instructor stationed in the district. And, of course, it was feather* that gained the day. He naturally leaned to the points he knew something about, and ignored those he was not conversant with. Where he was really to be blamed was’ in consenting, to Judge types ho knew little or nothing about. There ate fanciers who can give a f ßll decision on utility classes. They know the desirable qualities of the utility bird, and yet make the essential breed points and constitution indicators of paramount consideration. These men should be sifted out and be engaged to act at all shows where utility sections are of any importance. A COMMON ERROR.

Oiie of the errors made by poultrS keepers with limited experience is to at> tempt to hatch only heavy breeds o/t first —say. during the months of June ana July, and to leave the hatching of light breeds, such as Leghorns, until August or September. This practice is responsible ter many thousands of late and unprofitable chickens being hatched, remarks Mr Hadlington, the New South Wales expert. The facts are that while the discrimination is to be made, it is of course better that way than, tne ro» verse —it ia far preferable to have som* early chickens of both breeds. . Unlest this is done, the light -breeds will very soon deteriorate, just by reason of the fact of being continually hatched tom late, and the impossibility of securing weu-matured stock to breed from .tho following year. Thus, the effects of late hatching are cumulative, to tbrr detriment of the breeds. ONE MAN, ONE BREED.

Pt is better to know a great deal about one -thing than to know a little abouteverything. This remark applies to moot everything in life, and especially, is at correct in regard to the keeping or poultry. It means specialisation, and the poultry keeper who confines his attention to one bi-eed is a specialist, and the specialist is -the man who makes the most wins and the most money. As a general statement, it is correct to say that different methods arc required for different breeds. Whenever the question of succss in. the poultry world is discussed, it will practically invariably be found that the noted prominent men all confine their attention to one particular breed. It is a common error on tho part of tlis new man to take up two or three or even more breeders. Somn very goad men handle two or three breeds, but the statement still holds good—they achieve the greatest success with only one of the breeds, and they are noth for that breed. Competition is so strenuous nowadays that it takes ths best men all their time to succeed with ohe breed, so it will easily be seen that the beginner, with three or four breeds, has no chance of arriving at that high degree of success which is essential at the present time, if a man is to win ai shows and egg-laying competitions. Therefore, it is enjoined upon all new men to select one breed, to stick to it, and to develop it to the highest possible degree, as in that way only may success be achieved. POINTERS. Prepare well for tho breeding season. Breeders should be in the pink of oo» dition. Bxercise, good food, abundant greet stuff, grit and clean water are essential. Cleanliness is imperative, -especially with chickens. Thoroughly clean and disinfest everything they are to use.