THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 28

THE POULTRY YARD

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.)

THERE is no question but that most 1 judges try to judge a class in the show' as nearly right as they know how, or. in other words, they judge as closely as possible to their interpretation of the standard. It is true, also, that they have different ideas and opinions, some laying more stress upon one section than another. Some may be influenced by type over colour and vice versa. Very often two birds will be shown at one show one week under a certain judge and the following week the same birds are judged by another judges, because in a week’s time a versed. That is, the bird that won first under one judge is given second under another judge one week later. This is not always the fault of the judges, because in a weeks’ time a i»ird may change very materially. Perhaps the best bird at the first show may have become out of condition or the plumage may have become soiled or ruffled, or some of the tail or wing feathers may have become broken, while the other bird is in even better condition than it was the week before. Under those conditions it is perfectly natural that the awards would be reversed. Then, too, these rwo judges may slightly differ in what they believe to be the best bird of the two. We do not all see things alike and we may perhaps differ upon the exact interpretation of the standard description, especially in colour. For instance, the standards in describing buff colour use the words “golden buff.” Gold is of different shades of colour, some gold being darker than i other gold. One judge may prefer a I light golden buff, while another has i an idea that a darker colour is what ! the standard calls for. And so it j goes not only in colour but in other sections as well. JUDGES VARY There is not only a difference among poultry judges in their opinions, but judges who interpret the statutes as well. A case may be tried in a court of justice and is de- i t ided in favour of the plaintiff. The . defendant takes an appeal to the district court and there the judge re- j verses the opinion of the justice of the peace and renders a decision in favour of the defendant. Not being satisfied, an appeal may again be j taken to the supreme court and there ! the opinion of the district judge is reversed and the decision of the justice j el the peace is upheld. It cannot

MORE UNIFORM JUDGING MUCH has been said and written about more uniformity of judging poultry and we all realise that it would be a good thing if more uniformity of placings could be brought about. As a matter of fact, the English Poultry Club’s and the New judges in New Zealand, and by which all breeders select their birds. Why then should there be such a difference if we all strive to follow the rules and descriptions as they apply to the breeds and varieties?

f be said that the judge of the district court did not know the law or that he was unfair in his decision, but he decided the case as he saw it and according to his interpretation of the law. All judges make errors and, they always will as long as the world stands. The old saying that the man who never made a mistake never did anything, holds good in all lines of work. Coming back to the question of more uniform poultry judging, I will say that I am a firm believer that the comparison system as practised in New Zealand gives better results in this respect than does the score card. If birds are judged by comparison and they are actually compared in the full sense of the word, | then we can arrive at a better result in placing awards. In large classes it is impossible to carry all the defects of type and colour in one’s mind, but it is necessary to first eliminate all specimens that are not in the •winning, and that can be done by giving them the once over. When we get down to six or eight birds, all of which are good, they must be compared section by section, the defects of each carefully discounted until a final decision is reached as to which bird has the least defects and is entitled to the red ticket. This cannot be done hurriedly where the competition is keen, because every specimen must be given due consideration. The system used in many shows is to provide a few’ pens where the birds may be lined up in a row. This way they are all examined under the same condition and the same light. It is not fair to examine one bird under an electric light and the next one at a window in natural light. They should all be given the same advantage. In many shows the writer has been obliged to t arry birds fifty feet, and even farther, to a window in order to get them in a light place, and when once a class is started this way every bird is carried to the same window. Sometimes it is necessary to carry them several times before a satisfactory decision is j reached. ASSISTANCE OF STEWARDS When possible it is a good plan to j have a‘ steward to assist in carrying j the birds to the light so the judge I may have an opportunity of seeing them all at the same time under the | same conditions. Perhaps those who advocate the score card system never j

stopped to realise how much more time a judge puts in on a class under the comparison system than he does under the score card system. When using the latter system he handles each bird just once, and then only a few minutes. After the bird is placed back in the pen it is never brought into contact with any of its competitors, and the judge is supposed to carry all the shades of fowls and everything else in his mind. When birds are properly compared they are handled and rehandled, compared and recompared until the awards are all placed. There is, therefore, every reason to believe that when a judge gets through with his comparisons that the best bird has won. The majority of our New Zealand poultry judges are not only fearless but impartial in placing the awards. As long as a judge is fair and honest and places the birds to the best of his ability, and has a reason for his doing so, his services will always be in demand. On tbe other hand, a judge that is weak-kneed and tries to please certain exhibitors by being partial is practically on a par with the dishonest judge and has no right to wield a judging-stick. The exhibitor, whether he enters one bird or twenty, should be given every prize or trophy he is entitled to. GENERAL NOTES The following is the result of the Taranaki egg-laying competition to and including the fifth week: In the White Leghorn section M. Scanlon’s hen is leading, having laid 30 eggs to date; J. A. Mackay’s bird occupying second position with 2S eggs, and L. Mitchell’s bird third place with 27 eggs. In the Rhode Island Red section A. J. Lacey’s hen is leading with 24 eggs, closely followed by a hen of the same breeder, with 23 eggs. Gibbons Bros.’ No. 1 hen is leading the Golden Wyandottes her score being 21. D. M. Waddell’s No. 1 hen in the I Black Orpington section is the leading bird of the competition, having missed only on one day. Gibbons Bros.’ hen is ahead of her competitors in the White Wyandottes section. Light Sussex, Langshans, Brown Leghorns and White Rocks have not as yet got into full lay, P. W. Walker’s No. 2 Brown Leghorn having the highest score with 23 eggs to her credit. In the duck section J. Magill’s Fawn and White duck occupies first place. So far none of the White Runners have commenced to lay. In the three-bird team test, light breeds, pride of place is occupied by R. Gannon’s team of White Leghorns, Gibbons Bros.’ White Wyandottes leading in the heavy breed teams. As the show season is now with us I would like to draw the attention of ■ both judges and exhibitors to the fact that a new rule has been adopted by ‘ the North Island Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association to the effect that, : in future, anyone judging or exhibit- | ing at a show not affiliated to the North Island Association will be 1 liable to disqualification. Prior to this 1 season fanciers were allowed to ex- j

liibit and judges officiate at any show. The North Island Association, however, desires, if possible, to bring all poultry shows under its jurisdiction. In England, although birds are judged under the English Poultry Club’s standards, both judges and exhibitors have a free hand as to where they judge or exhibit, the only restrictions being that exhibitors competing at non-affiliated shows cannot compete for the English Poultry Club’s cups and trophies. I am under the impression the London Dairy Show is not affiliated to the English Poultry Club. There are, however, so few societies in the North Island which have not affiliated to the parent body that the move may be in the right direction. A meeting of the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club was held in the Y.M.C.A. on Thursday. Mr. Geo. H. Ambler presided over a good attendance of members, and apologised for the absence of Mr. E. J. R. McLaren (secretary), who was in hospital. It was decided a letter be sent to Mr. McLaren wishing him a speedy recovery. The chairman stated that he had interviewed Mr. O’Donnell, secretary of the A. and P. Association, and had been able to make satisfactory arrangements for theij show to be held in conjunction with the Winter Show. A tetter from the A. and P. Association, endorsing the arrangement, was read. It was decided to hold a three days’ show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 4, 5 and 6. Mr. E. Bust reported that he had made satisfactory arrangements for the production of catalogues, also arrangements for cartage of pens to and from the show. Mr. Geo. H. Ambler was appointed the club’s delegate to the North Island Association's annual meeting to be held at Palmerston North. The following judges were appointed: Old English Game and Old English Game Bantams, Mr. J. R. Boswell (Otahuhu); Modern Game, also variety and modern game bantams, Mr. W. Wilson (Auckland); remainder of poultry classes, also ducks (fancy and utility), Mr. G. H. Ambler (Glen Eden), and Mr. J. Nixon (Auckland); pigeons, fancy, other than fantails and tumblers, Mr. T. Sparkes (Auckland) ; pigeons, fancy, fantails, and tumblers, Mr. W. G. Mason (Auckland) ; homing pigeons, Mr. N. Hanson (Auckland); canaries, all classes, Mr. S. Wood (Auckland). The Farmers’ Union Trading Company donated two 10s 6d specials for allocation to the fancy pigeon section. I have received an advance copy of the prize list of the Manawatu Poultry Association’s Show to be held in conjunction with the National Dairy Show at Palmerston North on June 20, 21 and 22. All breeds and varieties of poultry, pigeon and cage-birds are being catered for and a valuable trophy and special prize list is being provided in addition to which the following North Island championships will be competed for; Utility White Leghorns, male or female; Utility Minorcas, male or female; Homer Pigeons, colour class, male; Yorkshire canaries, yellow and buff, C.F. Among the trophies are the follow-

. ing: Higliden Rose Bowl, value 20gns, • for best bird in fancy section [ White Wyandotte Trophy, value ‘t>3st Wyandotte in fancy section. Whyite Wyandotte Trophy, value : £5 ss, for most points in White Wyani ibttes, fancy section. Messrs. Collinsoii and Sons’ £5 5s ; cup, for most points in Utility Leghorns. - Palmer £lO 10s Rose Bowl, for best ; breeding pen in utility light breeds. Manawatu Flour Mills Cup, for best breeding in utility heavy breeds. Young Silver Rose Bowl, for best utility Black Minorca pullet. Goldingham and Beckett Challenge Cup, for best bird in utility light breeds. Minorca £5 5s Challenge Cup, for best young bird in Utility Minorca classes. £ls 15s Challenge Cup. best working Homer. Young Bird Cup. £5 5s Challenge Cup, best Oriental Frill. Lothian (Jup, best young fancy pigeon in show. The Wibblemag Cup, best young Frilled pigeon. In the canary section a £7 7s challenge cup will be awarded to best Yorkshire, also one for best unsighted Norwich. Several specialist club shows are also being held in conjunction with the Palmerston North event. All the cups and trophies of the various clubs will be competed for. The Old English Game Fowl Club alone is offering no fewer than 10 challenge cups and trophies. Well over 200 special prizes are also allocated to the various sections of the show. With such a valuable prize list this year’s event at Palmerston North should bring together a big collection of birds. The judges are: Game and bantam section, Mr. J. Mason (Nelson); re- ' mainder of fancy section and fancy ducks, Mr. Don. Stewart (Normanby); utility poultry and duck sections, pheasants, geese, turkeys, breeding pens and selling classes, Mr. Geo. H. Ambler (Auckland): homer pigeon section, Messrs. J. Bolton and H. lloverley; fancy pigeons, Mr. Will B. McKenzie (Wellington); canaries, Mr. E. Airth. On warm, sunny days, it is a good idea to open all doors and windows of the fowlhouse for a thorough airing. About your fowlhouse: Do not forget that it is better to practise the doc-' trine of sanitation than the doctrine of medication. Contentment is an economic factor in profitable poultry-keeping. A contented flock will eat less and lay more than one which is discontented. Worry means loss. Keep the hens contented. When packing eggs for market or for private trade, the boxes should be of uniform size. Packing should be adequate, so that the eggs cannot fall loose and so become cracked in transit. Many excellent boxes are on the market, but always when packing eggs care must be exercised, since carelessness in the process is fatal to a consignment reaching Its destination intact