POULTRY NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 26

POULTRY NOTES

SELECTION OF STOCK AGE AND BREEDS By GEO. H. AMBLER Selection is the most important part of the poultry industry. As all are aware, our present-day breeds of poultry have all descended from the common jungle fowl of India, known to naturalists as the Gallus Bankiva of Ternminck. To describe this bird minutely is unnecessary; it will be enough to say that, except that the tail of the cock is more depressed, it resembles very closely the variety known as Black Breasted Game. The assertion that all our modern breeds are derived from one fowl may seem at first sight a large demand on our powers of belief; but such is a fact, and yet it is not more wonderful than that the Newfoundland and the Italian greyhound have common progenitors, a fact about which no biologist has the slightest doubt. The process is simple and easily understood. The original amount of character required is very slight, as a single cock will be enough to give the charactei'istic to a whole breed. Any peculiarity of constitution or colour may be developed and perpetuated in a similar manner, all that is necessary being care and time. That such has been the method employed in the formation of the more distinct races of our poultry is proved by the fact that a continance of the same careful selection is needed to perpetuate them in perfection. Without foundation by long continued selection, no strain can be depended upon to breed similar specimens to the parents. PROFIT OR LOSS It will be seen this subject needs to be carefully considered from the outset, since the future profit or loss on the undertaking will depend, to a g reater degree than the uninitiated poul-try-keeper might imagine, on the choice of breeds and stock. Disappointment is often expressed, and in terms by no means guarded, that birds bred from specials strains purchased fall below the standard of production expected. To some extent this is due to the vendors of stock announcing exceptional performance in certain cases, saying nothing of. those hens which fall below the mean of the race. That there is a large degree of chance or luck in buying stock, all who have had any experience recognise. A buyer of “fancy” birds does not expect that every chicken hatched will be fit for exhibition, and is more than satisfied if he obtains a few of a standard high enough for that purpose. Further, if he buys a male to strengthen the blood of his flock the risks are taken into account. If his judgment is sound he may find tjiat the mating yields satisfactory results, but he knows that there are influences which are almost impossible to appraise, and only by mating and selection can these be determined. POWERFUL FACTORS So it is with what may be termed the utilitarian side, and perhaps to an even greater extent, because there are latent factors that are most powerful and are apparently more easily affected by the environment than the external characteristics. One other point may here be mentioned for the consideration of those who are specially concerned with utility qualities—namely, whether environment is not of greater importance for 'them than for such as are breeding for ornamental characters, by reason of the fact that for a high standard of production physical vigour is essential. We do not mean in generation, but racially. There are those who have claimed that the fact of a hen being a heavy layer is proof of constitutional vigour. This is a mistake. She may possess much vigour but it is equally possible that she may not, and that she has been amenable to forcing, and is making a final spurt before exhaustion takes place. What we have to reckon with are latent factors, one of which is the “pull” of ancestry. ORNAMENTAL CREEPERS How many of our readers have lacked their brains for a suitable creeper to cover an unsightly fence or oia wall? Creepers providing you have the right sorts are always an acquisition to any garden, both for ornamentation as well as usefulness Most plants may be set now, before the spring weather conies. The greater half generally flower in summer or autumn, so by planting early they have a good chance of making plenty of growth before their flowering period starts. The following varieties, described briefly, thrive best in the Auckland district: Tacsonia or Scarlet Passion Flower. —This hardy creeper thrives freely as long as the frosts are not too severe. The long scarlet flowers hang on 9-inch stalks, the leaves are maple-shaped, of a dark green appearance. Set each plant 12 to 15 inches apart. Bouganvillea. —This plant has lately come largely into favour for growing against wooden walls and old sheds. The flowers vary, through blue and purple shades, and flower about Christmas for a great number of weeks. Climbing Roses. —These roses are always hard to beat, provided you do not mind them shedding their leaves in the winter. For archways and pergolas they are unexcelled because of their numerous blooms. Ards Rover. American Beauty, and Marechal Niel are three of the best growers. Ivy and Ficus. —These creepers are the best sorts for planting on stone gateways, pillars, or concrete chimneys. They are both evergreen and hardy. Begonias are a family well worth cultivation. There are about nine varieties, to be had in different colours, with bright pretty foliage, and will suit any situation.

Dolichos Lablab. —For a very rapid creeper Dolichos lablab cannot*be overlooked. The leaves are small and light green in colour. It bears small pea-shaped blooms, pink and white, and very prolific. This is by no means a beautiful creeper, but can be used with great effect for covering old tree stumps. ANSWERS TO PUZZLED GARDENERS 8., Takapuna.—The sample of tree submitted is called eleopcarpusdents. ties. It occurs in both North and South Islands, and is called by the Maoris “hinau.” This genus is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the New Zealand bush. Plants can be obtained from any of the advertisers on this page or procured for you from some of the Southern nurD.J., Mount Roskill. —Tacsonia van Valoxmii is the scarlet passion flower, grown mostly for the beautiful blooms produced. This variety bears oblong fruit of a creamy colour. Tacsonia mollissima, the pink-flowering passion, is not nearly so ornamental as its brother, but bears three times as much fruit, and is largely termed the banana passion fruit.

AGE OF BREEDING STOCK In choosing our breeding stock we must not use immature birds or the result will only be loss of constitutional vigour. A very common idea is that the power to reproduce is a certain sign that the time of reproduction lias arrived. That may be true with birds in a wild state: there, however, the conditions are totallj r different, as 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 will tend to degeneracy, unless strenuously resisted by the most careful and rigid selection of birds fully matured. 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. In the progeny of early matings the duration of life is much below that where parents are mature. 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 speedily, and any resultant effects are soon developed. 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. This is how many poultry-keepers are misled; they cannot discern much difference between the chickens bred from pullets and those from older hens, or what there may be appears infinitesimal. Something may be done to overcome this by greater care in selection, but it is present and active all the same. EFFECT OF INFLUENCE What we have to guard against is the accumulation of influences working in one and the same direction for a series of years, minute, it may be, in each, but considerable in the aggregate. It is desirable to recognise that, for certain purposes, breeding from cockerels and pullets in unavoidable, this being true in the hatching of layers which are not intended for stock purposes. There is no doubt that the period immediately prior and up to the attainment of maturity yields the best results in numbers and physical vitality, due, it is suggested, to the fact that the functional activities are at their maximum and also that the greatest amount of vigour is present. 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. Breeders must learn that the mating of yearlings is an economic mistake. It is one of the many instances of plucking the fruit before it is ripe. GENERAL NOTES Mr. Giles, the well-known Australian poultry judge, who came over from Australia to judge the Christchurch Diamond Jubilee Show, also Dunedin and Ashburton Shows, visited Auckland during the week when he called upon several prominent fanciers. Mr. Giles expressed himself as being disappointed with the Orpington classes in the South Island. It was pleasing to note increased entries in English Leghorns at the Onehunga Show, Mr. J. Nixon having a good team. Being in the hands of such experienced breeders as Mr. Nixon and Mr. G. IT. Ambler, interest in this breed should receive a much needed stimulus. Mr. J. Nixon. Auckland, has had quite a busy time fulfilling judging engagements at -the shows. This week lie will judge both Rotorua and Franklin Shows. We must congratulate Mr. I. Ball on his successful debut as a poultry judge at the Onehunga Show. His placing of the awards in the Old English Game classes were well received. From reports to hand the judging of all classes of poultry, pigeons and canaries at Onehunga gave general satisfaction. From the number of birds claimed at catalogue prices it would appear that the fancy is in a very healthy condition. I have received a schedule of the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club’s annual show which will be held in the Drill Hall on July 7 and 8. The club is catering for practically all breeds and, in addition to a long list of specials, several trophies will be competed for. SPECIALIST CLUBS The following specialist clubs are also holding their annual club shows in conjunction with the Auckland Club, viz., the Auckland Game Club. New Zealand Waterfowl Club, New Zealand Rhode Island Fowl Club. The Game Club has allocated six challenge trophies. The Waterfowl Club has also-allocated two five guinea trophies and the Rhode Island Club two 10 guinea trophies. The Yorkshire Canary Club offer a three guinea trophy for competition. With such a valuable prize list, popular judges and a hard-working executive —everyone a fancier—the show should be a .success worthy of Auckland and the support of all business firms in Auckland. Schedules may be obtained from Mr. Eric J. R. McLaren, Gardner Road, Epsom. SHOW DATES CLASH It is to be regretted that the Rotorua and Franklin Shows clash. Fancier clubs should approach the North Island Popltry. Pigeon and Canary Association with a view to avoiding the future clashing of dates. MRS. HELLABY’S CUP The challenge cup donated by Mrs. Hellaby to the Onehunga Club for birds which have laid 260 eggs or over Ln 50 weeks at the Mount Albert laying test was won by Mrs. Dimant with a Khaki Campbell duck which has laid 296 eggs. Quite a number of Light Sussex was exhibited at the Onehunga Show. It was, however, disappointing to see the condition in which some of the birds were penned. The winning pullet, belonging to Miss Ambler, was an example of how a bird should be washed and exhibited. Many a good bird is kept out of the money through lack of condition and all breeders should endeavour to exhibit their birds in the best of condition. HINTS TO EXHIBITORS Condition plays an important part in exhibition; the first prize is often contested on condition only. Do not show exhibition youngsters at too early an age, or they will be injured for further use. When sending birds to shows, always dispatch’ in good time. Before entering any exhibit at a show, carefully read the rules in the schedule. Always put a price against an exhibit; you never know whether it will find a purchaser or not. Do not overshow your birds and do not strive for the top rung of the ladder first. Go in for few and choice specimens all the time, and you will succeed in the fancy.