The Poultry Yard

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 846, 14 December 1929, Page 34

The Poultry Yard

(Bv

GEO H. AMBLER.

HOW EXPERIENCE TEACHES

HOW is the novice to judge of the value’ of the opinions that he hears or reads? Only by testing them in the light of experience. This is very poor comfort for the novice who is only beginning, and wants information—definite and exact —at once. However, it does not take long to compare notes and find out what is the general consensus of opinion among successful potdtry-keepers, and if the novice will just bear in mind one or two things he will soon learn to steer a safe course until he has gained, or bought, his own experience.

Firstly, he must remember that there are men and women who may keep poultry for a hundred years and yet have no "experience” at the end of it, either because they have not learned to observe, to compare and to draw the right conclusion, or because they are so filled with prejudice that they instinctively resist all new theories or changes. It is fairly easy to detect this sort of teacher. When he tells you that this is the best method or that is no good, a few innocent questions will gently extract his knowledge, or his ignorance, and cause him to reveal his worth as an “experienced" guide. Has he tried such and such? What results has he had from the method he advocates? Why does he not believe in the other? In a short time it becomes clear whether one is listening to, or reading, the talk of an enthusiast who is always wildly exuberant over the newest fad, accepting and advocating without much proof whatever is the fashionable craze, or deciding on only a very short experience; or whether it is the opinionative decision of an "Old Reub.” like the one who assured the agricultural expert that "they ain’t no sense in tryin' to teach me farmin.’ I know all about it. Ain’t I worked out three farms?” FACTS AND PROOF WANTED Or it may be that the teacher is a fairly square-headed, able man, and quite safe to follow as far as he goes. However, there is always one rule for the novice—never accept as authoritative anything unless it is accompanied by facts and proofs. On the other hand, and this is the worst pitfall of all, the facts and proofs of one man may not be correct for another living in other conditions. So many mistakes come from this laying down of the law as a hard-and-fas-t method to be accepted by all, that I often wish we could compel every writer, lecturer and speaker to give the date and place of every occurrence he mentions, and to reveal the breed, strain and pedigree, with full particulars of abode, conditions, food, and daily doings of the birds he has obtained his experience with. DOGMATIC TEACHING So many are apt to believe that all birds are alike, that all are undergoing the same conditions of life, that their teaching becomes dogmatic and often quite absurd. For example, I have read articles which tell that the colour test i 3 infallible, or nearly so, and that a good layer loses colour as the season advances, and we are gravely advised to discard all birds with strong leg-colour late in the summer. Throughout the entire article no hint is given of the fact that the writer is dealing with Leghorns only, or that any other colour than yellow ever occurs in a bird's

shanks, or even that a yellow-legged bird may have been broody and resting with chicks and so have a bright colour, and yet lay well. It is this mistake of treating poultry as an inanimate whole, a sort of standard egg-machine, that makes theories and methods fail when generally applied. The Hogan method probably was reliable for Mr. Hogan’s own hens; he found it so; but it was when he thought the same characteristics would appear in exactly the same form in all other poultry that he went astray, and failed so notably with the whole flock of the laying competition which so shattered his reputation in that respect. What all must remember is this—that every mating founds a new family and that just as in human families, so in birds, heredity counts, and differences ,, crop up, some to become fixed and others to be pushed out of sight, in every generation. And the great thing for the novice to learn is how to distinguish the characteristics of the particular strain and families he has to deal with. There are among my own birds often some that I can mark at birth as desirable or undesirable, because I recognise them as belonging to one or other side of a particular family; but I could not take another breeder’s birds and say, “These will prove far too broody,” or “That will likely be your best layer,” as I have often done at birth with my own; so there would be no use in saying by what signs and wonders I could divine this* for they would not be present in the other breeder’s birds, or if they were they could not mean the same thing, since they come of different parents. When a man had found that, let us say, a five-finger (in depth) bird has proved a heavy layer every time in his strain, he naturally tells all the world that if they get such a one it will be the same, because he forgets that all the world has not got his strain; but I have had two birds, sisters, both measuring five fingers in June, and one laid few eggs and those often thin-shelled, while the other laid well but not phenomenally. To the novice I would say—Get to know thoroughly the build, looks and measurements of the parents, and then the handling test will be much more help. Also, of all birds hatched on the same date, discard the more noticeably backward ones if they are of a light breed. If there is heavy breed in them, like Rocks, it often happens that a slow maturing cockerel will prove the breeder of the best layers; but this, I think, seldom happens with the light breeds. In these, the more precocious pullets in each brood are usually the best layers, and the cockerels the best breeders. This ; however, Is merely a general guide. Still, I think no one need hesitate to “scrap” a backward pullet

herself and not in some accident, such as trampling by the mother, chilling or the like. It is possible to know, i* one watches carefully at certain ages, at four weeks, when combs begin to “shoot,” and at three months, and again toward laying time, which are likely to prove the very best, and the very worst, and this is always a help as much to an old breeder as to a novice. The general rule would ap pear to be, given laying type, those birds that seem to "come along” best at those periods will prove the best layers, while those that hang back much may be scrapped. Prophecy I never attempt in the matter of numbers. and only the trap-nest can reveal the exact truth, but I do ro-t hesitate to say that early to lay tnd late to moult means the profitable egg-layer. PAINTING FOWLHOUSES Before the hot weather sets in it is advisable to do any painting, tarring and preserving of houses and other woodwork. This work should be done during fine weather, while the wood is dry, for the purpose is to keep the wet out of the wood, and it is no use putting on a coat of paint or similar material while the wood is full of moisture. The life of a poultry house, and also of fencing posts, coops and other wood work can be indefinitely prolonged if the timber is treated in this way every season, or at least every other year, and the cost is small and the labour light.

GENERAL NOTES

The following are the results of the Taranaki Egg Laying Competition to and including the 35th week. The premier position in the whole of the test is still held by D. M. Waddell’s No. 1 Black Orpington which again laid 7 eggs for the week, bringing her total to 248 eggs. J. W. Carrick’s Khaki Campbell duck which occupies second position and the third bird, M. Scanlon’s White Leghorn, both laid the possible, bringing their respective scores to 229 and 224. Four other White Leghorn hens have passed the 200 egg mark, viz., Gibbons Bros’, with 211 eggs, C W- Taplin’s with 204, and R. Cannon’s with 204 and R. Cannon’s with 201 The next highest is A. J. Lacey’s Rhode Island Red with 191 eggs to her credit, followed by D. Riley’s Fawn and White Runner with 190 eggs. In the three bird team test, light breeds, Gibbons Bros’. White Leghorns are leading with a total of 546 against G. L. Gaylord’s White Leghorns with 536 eggs. In the heavy t breed team test Gibbons Bros’. Golden Wyandottes occupy first position with a total of 511 eggs. The election of officers of the South Island Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association, which was held at the annual conference, resulted as follows: —Patron, Hon. G. W. Forbes; president, Mr. G. Jeffries (re-elected) ; Executive: Messrs. W. Cummings (fancy poultry), G. H. Bull (bantams), J. D. Gobbe (utility poultry), F. W. Chambers (fancy pigeons), H. A. Pearson (working homers), R. W. Thompson (canaries), Hon. auditor, Mr. T. Bedwell, hon. solicitor, Mr. E. J.- Ross, secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Pearce. The following show dates for the 1930 shows were granted: Dunedin Specialists’ Young Bird Club.— March 28 and 29, 1930. New Zealand Utility Poultry Club.— March 21 and 22. Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, Canary and Cat Club.—June 5, 6 and 7.

Dunedin Fanciers’ Club.—June 12, 13 and 14. Ashburton Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club. —June 19 and 20. North Canterbury Poultry Club.—July 4 and 5. Oamaru Poultry Club.—July 11 and 12. Waiinate Poultry Club. —June 27 and 28. Lyttelton Fanciers’ Club.—July 18 and 19. South Canterbury Egg and Poultry Society (Timaru). —July 25 and 26. Taieri Poultry Club.—July 5. Kaitangata Poultry Club.—July 16 and 17 Tapanui Poultry Club.—July 12. Balclutha Poultry Club.—June 27 and 28 Gore Poultry Club.—July 25 and 26. Invercargill Poultry Club.—June 17 and 18. Nightcaps.—May 16 and 17. Otautau and District Progressive League. —May 28 and 29. YVaiau (Tuatapere).—May 7 and 8. Waimangaroa Poultry Club. —June 6 and 7 Westport Poultry Club.—June 20 and 21. Granity Poultry Club. —July 4 and 5. Hokitika Poultry Club. —July 11 and 12. Greymouth Poultry Club.— August 1 and 2. Kokatahi Winter Show.—May 27 and 28 I have received a copy of schedule as adopted by the Auckland Agricul tural and Pastoral Association for the poultry classes to be held in con junction with the A. and P. Association summer show, to be held during the last week in February. Applications for schedules should be made to Mr. O’Donnell, Secretary A. and P. Association, Albert Street, Auckland. Auckland Game fanciers are likely to have keen competition at their next annual show as a well-known Game enthusiast is at present negotiating with a leading English breeder for the importation of a trio of Game birds.

PERSONAL NOTES

Mr. Fred Blacklock (Avondale), who recently took up the breeding of English White Leghorns, has several promising chickens of this breed to which he is paying special attention. He has sold all his other stock and intends concentrating his efforts on English Leghorns, exhibition Black Minorcas and White Wyandottes. Mr. Thos. Dowthwaite reports having a record hatching season and has the best flock of Indian Runners he has evdr bred. As all these are bred from his ducks which put up a world’s record in the Mount Albert test, they should uphold the reputation of Mr. Dowthwaite’s and his customer’s yards. Mr. Dowthwaite is a stickler for a combination of beauty and utility. Eggs without breed characteristics do not appeal to him. His successes in the laying tests show what can be done by a breeder who studies type in his strain as well as those economic properties which are of such great value. He has followed a definite system of breeding and the success he wooed he has won. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT St. Heliers.—No, the influence of the first cockerel will not affect the eggs for the whole of the season. After yjn have taken him out of the pen tue bulk of the eggs laid by the pullets ■will not be struck by him after a week’s time. After putting the second cockerel in you will find after a we#'.« or 10 days that the eggs are struck by this bird. Rosecomb hens and pullets often go very dark in comb and face, and this is from no lack of good health. It seems natural to the breed, and you can do nothing in the matter. As a rule they are from a cockerel breeding strain.

During the week I received a long letter from a prominent poultry farmer, who takes a pessimistic view of the future of poultry-keeping. I may say that I do not agree with my correspondent and believe he is quite wrong. In my opinion the outlook is encouraging, brighter and more full of hope than it has been for some

time. It is an adage as old as the hills that there are two sides to every question, and there are- certainly two sides to this question of the future, not only of our shows, &ut of the poultry industry generally. The demand for pullets at the present time is greater than the supply and prices quoted are certainly better than they were. During the past year quite a number of birds have been at big prices which is proof positive that high-class breeding stock is in demand. Quite a number -of new people are coming into our ranks to replace those that have retired. During the past season practically every show had increased entries and from reports which are continually reaching me from various parts of the Dominion a healthy rivalry will be aroused during the next show season. From the signs around I feel confident that the future is bright, with no room for pessimists. Whether breeding for fancy or utility, breeders should adapt themselves to the spirit of the times, and go all out to secure not only their own prosperity, but also that of the industry generally. Great is the field to those who go forward in the spirit of hope, determined to wrest from the future all the good it has to distribute.

WAR HOSPITAL CLOSES

FAMOUS FOR ITS PLASTIC SURGERY 20,000 PATIENTS TREATED A hospital that became known all over the world for the wonderful work performed there in remodelling the shattered faces of wounded soldiers is being closed this month. It is the Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, which has been in existence for 12 years. Since its opening, in 1917, the hospital has dealt with nearly 20,000 patients. Now only 60 are left, and these will be drafted to other hospitals. Miracles of surgery were performed there on war victims by Major H. D. Gillies—also known to the public as an international golfer—and his staff. Faces broken by shell and rifle wounds so that they seemed scarcely human were built up again with amazing skill, until the men were able to take their place among their fellows without shrinking. The treatment of individual cases often took years, and 30 or 40 operations were sometimes necessary. The chief clerk of the hospital told a reporter that at first the hospital dealt with facial wounds only. This was when the hospital was controlled by the War Office, but later the Ministry of Pensions took charge, and since then every type of war wound has been treated. The hospital and grounds were bought with money provided by the Prince of Wales’s Fund. A committee, which still officiates, set up and equipped the 20 wards and other buildings, and when the Ministry of Pensions took charge handed over the hospital rent and tax free. The great advantage of the hospital was its spacious grounds, where the patients, some of whom were so terribly disfigured that even the hardened attendants were affected, could walk without fear of prying eyes. Colonel J. R. Colvin has had charge of the hospital since Its inception.