Poultry Keepers' Guide

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 June 1927, Page 22 (Supplement)

Poultry Keepers' Guide

BY

GEORGE H. AMBLER.

BREEDING STOCK

THE RIGHT AGE MATURE BIRDS * BEST By GEO. H. AMBLER. In an American work that has recently come to hand it is stated that “pullets should not be used for breeding purposes, as their eggs are smaller and develop into smaller individuals at maturity. Birds of exceptional quality may be profitably kept for breeding purposes as long as they lay a good number of fertile eggs, which hatch into vigorous chickens, but the purchase of such individuals is rarely profitable.” While the first reason in the above advice is largely true, at the same time the size of egg and of bird produced from it are not correlative to the extent suggested. Several of the breeds which lay the largest eggs are smallbodied, and vice versa. Where the great danger lies of using immature birds for stock purposes, is by loss of constitutional vigour. A common idea is that the power to reproduce is a certain sign that the time of reproduction has arrived. That may be true with birds in a wild state. Conditions, however, with such birds are totally different. A wild hen is older when she begins to lay than her domesticated sister, and her ability to withstand the conditions of her environment has been abundantly tested. Breeders should ever remember that all our efforts to increase productiveness tend to degeneracy, unless strenuously resisted by the most careful and rigid selection. Experience has shown that the breeding power of domesticated birds and mammals alike precedes, by a longer or shorter period, the time when the best and most vigorous stock will result. Those who wish for further evidence upon this point can refer to the table published in the Eugenics Congress report of 1921, in which are records of great importance to the poultry breeder. It is shown that in the progeny of early mating the duration of life is much below those whose parents are mature. The Determining Factor The effect upon the physical system in this direction is, therefore, the determining factor. Unfortunately nothing is more difficult to discern or more elusive than constitutional vigour. Evil conditions, bad feeding and treatment work their will speedily and any resultant effects are soon developed. Consequently the indications are immediately apparent, and the loss cannot be ignored. Such is not the case when immature parents are used; in fact, the loss in one generation may be very small indeed, so small as to be unrecognisable. That is how many poultry breeders are misled. They cannot discern much difference between the chickens bred from pullets and older hens, or what there may be appears infinitesimal. Although something may be done to overcome this by greater care in selection, it is present and active all the same, and if continued will work havoc. As I have previously pointed out, what we have to guard against is the accumulation of influences working in one and the same direction for a series of years, minutes, it may be, in each, but considerable in the aggregate. Debility and Reaction It is here, in my judgment, we find one explanation for the short-lived history of many poultry farms, though there are undoubtedly others. At first everything goes well; health, and the productiveness of the stock are satisfactory, the stimulus of new environment, of better conditions and feeding is felt, and any loss of body vigour is comparatively small. Then follows debility and reaction. Productiveness decreases and loss by disease increases. So long as such utility breeders regularly and systematically introduce fresh blood the effect is, to some extent, minimised. With the advent, however, of pedigree breeding into this branch of the industry that is the case no longer, especially when combined witli rearing and keeping within restricted yax*ds. In this way such plants are added to the list of the “has beens.” To avoid misconception as to what has been stated above, it is desirable to recognise that, for certain purposes, breeding from cockerels and pullets is unavoidable. As examples may be named, production of chickens and ducklings for the spring trade at the time when these birds must be hatched older hens are seldom in profit, though much might be done, and will be, for improvement in that direction. The same is true as to the hatching of layers, which are not intended for stock purposes, in all these cases, however, no harm results, because these progeny of immature parents live and end their days without transmission of qualities or deficiencies to the next generation. Period for Best Results The questions which are here raised might be dealt with at considerable, length in the light of observations made with other species. Such show distinctly that the period immediately prior to, and on attainment of, maturity yield the best results in numbers .and physical vitality, due, it is suggested, to the fact that at the period named the functional activities are at their maximum, and also the greatest amount of vigour. There is a distinct falling-off in both directions at the extremes of productiveness—that is, breeding from immature or aged parents respectively does not yield the same satisfactory results. These facts lead to the conclusion that the progeny attain the highest standard of vigorous physical and functional strength in the second year, extending to the early part of the third year. What, therefore, breeders have yet to learn is that, save for the purposes named above, the mating of yearlings is an economic mistake. Im-.j patience to reap rewards is the reason | why immature birds are mated It is one of the many instances of plucking the fruit before it is ripe. Egg Production So far as egg production is concerned we have to look at the question in a totally different manner. Experience and observation have shown that where the number of eggs is the main consideration what must be done is to get the pullets in to lay as early as possible. Many cases in proof of this statement are available. one of the latest , of which is in connection with one

of the English laying competitions, the published figures of which show that, the pullets which laid 15 or more eggs in the first month —October 15 to November 14—produced an average of 54 per cent. (61.7) more than those which did not. begin operations until after December 15. Therefore, everything impels the breeder, whose profit depends upon a j high standard of proficiency, to strive | all he knows to advance the comj mencement of the period of laying. By doing so his returns are increased In two ways—namely, that, in addition to larger returns by the greater number of eggs for sale, he enhances the average price owing to the fact of so many being obtained in the months of scarcity, wheiv values are at their maximum. GENERAL NOTES The New Zealand Waterfowl Club is a splendid organisation run by duck keepers for duck keepers and anyone who does not quite know what to do should write to the secretary, Miss Ambler, Glen Eden, Auckland, for information. A year’s subscription is only five shillings, which is a cheap investment when one realises the benefit to be obtained. The club’s challenge cups will be competed for at the Auckland Show in July. 3,000 YEARS OLD A sketch of a domestic cock, on a piece of limestone, was found in Tutankhamen’s tomb and was exhibited recently at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. The drawing is somewhat rough, but the cock has all the characteristics of a Leghorn or Minorca, with a somewhat beefy “buttercup” comb. ROTORUA SCHEDULE We have received a schedule of the Rotorua Poultry Show, to be held in conjunction with the Rotorua A. and P. Association’s Winter Show on June 21, 22 and 23. In addition to a long list of specials, North Island championships for Utility Rhode Island Reds, also Utility Silver Wyandottes will be competed for. Entries close with the secretary, Mr. Les. Vickers, P.O. Box 142, Rotorua, on Saturday, June 12. A REAL SUPPORTER Mr. L. Belcher supports the canary fancy in the best possible manner, for, besides being a generous donor of trophies and specials, he has always a handsome team of birds to bench. His team at the recent Auckland Yorkshire Canary Club’s Young BirdShow totalled twelve. I firmly believe that Secretary Moore prays for his longevity and continued support.

POINTS COMPETITION The Auckland Yorkshire Canary Club has been successful in gaining the co- 5 operation of the Auckland and One- ( hunga Poultry, Pigeon and Canary ’ clubs in inaugurating a Yorkshire ] Points competition and in procuring a J challenge cup to be competed for at 1 the three shows concerned. The competition should serve the twofold purpose of popularising the Yorkshire canary and also swelling entries at the Auckland and One- ( hunga Poultry Club shows. t COMPETITION COMMITTEE { Messrs. H. Fielder, Auckland Poultry, i Pigeon and Canary Club, J. Simpson, 2 Onehunga Poultry, Pigeon and Canary * Club, and W. A. Moore, Auckland 1 Yorkshire Canary Club, are the committee dealing with the competition. The competition is open to members of the A.Y.C.C. only, and the condi- * tions and adopted rules will be forwarded to members during the course ) of a few days. PIGEON RACING > The Northern Racing Pigeon Club 5 will be advertising a meeting of fanciers in this paper within a few days, when applications will be received from new members. Arrangements have been made to supply fan- ] ciers with new Toulet clocks, but as . applications are being received in ‘ such numbers by Mr. A. Alexander, j hon. secretary, prospective members would be well advised to apply early for reservation. It will be of interest to readers to * know that there are ten racing pigeon clubs in Auckland, and with an aver- ; age membership of ten members, this j gives one hundred actual flying men in ' Auckland. There are approximately 1 over 200 fanciers in Auckland, and ] with an average loft of 20 birds, there ; are 4,000 racing pigeons in Auckland. : Each bird eats 2oz. of partridge peas 1 daily, so that 2,6251 b. are consumed in a week, or well over one ton, by the , total number of birds. WATCH THE SNEEZE Look out for colds at this season. If 1 you notice the birds sneezing and water- : ing at the eyes, place 20 drops of camphor on some sugar and dissolve in a i pint of water. Do not try to put the : camphor directly in the water, as it ' will not mix. Give no other drink and you will find this will cure a cold in its early stages. GOOD PULLETS Mr. V. A. Ryder, of Ellerslie, has a fine lot of Black Orpington pullets from his single tested competition hen and the sire from a 290-egg hen, and closely related to Kismet Dot. This pen should breed something good during the coming breeding season. This fancier’s fine White Wyandottes were sold recently to several prominent breeders in the North Island. JUBILEE SHOW i The Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club’s Diamond Jubilee Show is being held this week. A record number of entries has been received. The entries are as follow: Fancy classes, 4jJ3; bantams, 358; utility classes, 474; ducks, 86; table poultry and eggs, 11; pigeons. 796; canaries, 31S; cats, 103; toy dogs, 87 needlework. 167; cookery, 156; total, 3,019. I Some of the largest classes are: Silver Wyandotte pullets, fanev classes, 24; Sussex, 25; Rhode Island Reds, 2d; game classes, 109; Black Orpingtons, 2d; Ilamburgs, 43; game bantams. 120; Black Rosecomb bantams, i 9; Pekin bantams, 45; junior bantam 84; Utility Black Orpingtons, 69; Utility Sussex, 30; Utility Minorcas. 50; Utility Rocks, 37. OFFERS OF CUPS The Auckland Game Club, which was formed onl3 r a short time ago, has already secured the offer of nearly a dozen challenge cups for competition among its members. The club will hold its first annual show in conjunction with the Auckland Poultry Club when the club’s trophies will be competed- for. In addition to club show specials the club is allocating a challenge cup to both Pukekohe and One- j hunga shows for competition among j game club members. All breeders of game should join the club at once, so as to be able to compete for the many good things offered by the club. j

CROSSING EXPERIMENTS A fancier in Auckland has been experimenting for several seasons in the crossing of a number of pure breeds, with an idea to producing a new variety of utility fowl. As birds oft single tested birds have been used, it will be interesting to know what colour and type will be the objective. EXERCISE USEFUL A good idea in any poultry yard is to have the water trough as far from the feed trough as possible. This not only gives the birds a little enforced exercise, but allows the more timid layers to have a feed while the pugnacious birds are away for water, in yards where there is little or no scratching available, exercise is vitally necessary for the health of the birds. GOOD RESULTS An instance of reversion was noted in the poultry yards of Mr. C. Weston, of Ellerslie, an apparently purebred Cuckoo Leghorn being bred from his fine pen of pedigreed White Leghorns. Mr. Weston is a firm believer in line breeding and has kept his stock on this system for years with good results. PERSONAL Fanciers will regret to hear that Mrs. Wood, mother of Mr. A. Wood, the well-known duck specialist, is lying seriously ill in her home at Mount Eden. We trust Mrs. Wood may soon be restored to her usual health. DO NOT OVER-SHOW A BIRD Many good birds are ruined by being over-shown. If you have a good bird, by all means show it, but use judgment. If it is a male bird a few outings before it is mated to the hens will be all right, but do not disturb the bird when once mated up. If it is a pullet,. show it once or twice to test its quality, and rather reserve it for showing in its second year, or select it for a breeder. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT SIZE OF RUNS, Dixon, Pukekohe.— Yes, a run 25 yards square is a useful one for 50 hens, seeing you can rest it alternately with another every other month, but seeing you have plenty of ground at your disposal I should advise you to make the runs 30 yards square. There would then be not much fear of the ground getting foul. You should give a slight dressing of lime to each run in turn every other season, HORSE V MOTOR The whole problem of horses versus motors is an economic one. Men who have work to be done, in cities or on farms, view horses primarily as machines with which work may be done. From this standpoint they consider their initial cost, length of useful life, cost of repairs, operating expense, and the work that can be done with these respective types of power units. Equally important, though often overlooked, is the effect which the use of one or the other of these kinds of power exerts upon the prices paid for farm products. The average farm work horse in the United States consumes annually 25.3 bushels of maize, 37.8 bushels of oats, 1.7 tons of hay, and 1.96 acres of pasture, or, approximately, the crop production of four acres of fertile land. The use of this grain, hay and pasture for horse feed withholds that much from the market, as it would otherwise be sold either directly or through meat animals. From an economic basis, therefore, horses on farms act as stabilising factors, enabling farmers to secure much higher prices for farm products than if the land now growing horse feed were diverted to food production.

TREE PLANTING TABLE

Tabic showing the number of trees required to plant an acre of land at stated distances apart: Distance Distance

CLOVER LEGENDS An old legend is told, to explain the origin of the four-leaved clover occasionally found. Three fair sisters, Faith, Hope and Charity, came over the seas on an important errand of mercy. Wherever their footsteps pressed the sod, blossoms, yellow, white and crimson, one for each, sprang up. But by and by another radiant being followed them. He scarcely touched the verdant fields as he went flying over The wide, wide world, from east to west to find the maidens three; But where he stepped now here and there, a knowing little clover Added a leaf named Love to Hope and Faith and Charity. “And so it was that the four-leaved clover came to be looked upon by lovers as a magic talisman, by which could be discovered ‘The one you are to love the best, the one who will love you.’ Maidens wore it in their shoes in the belief that it would bring about a speedy meeting with their lover.” Some people tell us the three-leaved clover stands for the Holy Trinity, and the four-leaved clover for the Cross, and that it is the resemblance to the Cross that makes the rarer four-leaved variety so much sought after, as a talisman and pi otection against evil. Katherine Tynan tells us how many flowers were associated with the stable “at Bethlehem, sainfoin or holy hay, that keeps its name to this day, bracken. groundsel, wild thyme and Our Lady’s bedstraw were placed in the manger under the Holy Child. The wild thyme gave out its delicious fragrance when crushed by its precious burden. With regard to the bedstraw plant, the old legend says that when the Angel Gabriel asked the flowers which would put forth blossoms to make a bed for the Holy Child, the} all refused because it was winter, the bedstraw alone opened her white blossoms, and on that account these were at once turned to gold.

apart each, way. acre. apart each. No. an way. acre. 1 foot . . 43,560 13 feet .... 257 2 feet .. 10,890 • 14 222 3 „ 4,840 15 193 4 ,, 2,722 16 170 1.742 17 150 6 „ .. 1,210 IS 134 7 „ 890 19 120 S „ 680 20 108 9 „ 25 69 10 „ 435 30 48 11 „ 360 35 35 12 302 40 „ .... 27