POULTRY-RAISING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1922, Page 8

POULTRY-RAISING.

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ COMPETITION. At the last meeting of the executive of the Boys’ and Giris’ Clubs (Northern Division), proposals for the holding of a poul-try-raising competition among the boys and girls of New Plymouth was considered, and it was decided to ask the co-operation of the Poultry Committee in setting up rules etc. At Saturday’s meeting of the executive the suggestions were received, and, after discussion and minor amendments had been made, were adopted as under: That the Poultry Committee approve of the principle of Boys’ and Girls’ Poultry Clubs, and that its members are prepared to co-operate and give their hearty support; that the competition be confined to children residing- within the borough of New Plymouth; that the competition be open to boys and girls in Standards 3, 4 and 5. In rhe event of more than entries being received, preference be given to children in Standards 4 and 5, so as to limit the number of competitors to the sittings of eggs donated, unless cash donations are forthcoming to defray the cost of addi- . tional sittings required to allow all to compete; that the varieties b? confined to Utility White and Brown Leghorns, Minorcas and Black Orpingtons; that the method of hatching be by broody hen; that entries close on August 31; that the period of hatching be from September 1 to October 31; that before eggs are distributed each i egg be stamped; that each competitor be ! limited to one sitting of 12 eggs, but in | the event of accident over which rhe com- I petitor has no control, a further sitting be ; supplied, always provided the eggs distrib- I uted in the first instance are returned; that ! the A. and P. office be the depot for receiving and distributing eggs; that competitors notify Mr. Okey at the depot when they have a broody hen, so that arrangements can be made for securing eggs immediately the hen has settled down; that before eggs are distribued to competitors they obtain from teachers a note certifying the boy or girl’s identity, and as a bona fide competitor; that competitors shall not be acquainted of the name of the donor of the eggs they receive until such time as judging has been completed; that chicks ! be toe-punched as soon as possible after i hatching, and that they be distinguished ! by a further brand when three months old, j this matter to be left in the hands of the I Poultry Committee; that the question of appointing local supervisors be left in the ! hands of the Poultry Committee; that the j Agricultural Department be requested to • arrange for regular visits from gne of its poultry experts for inspection and general • instruction; that the competition be fudged ' by a Government poultry expert or ex- ! perts, points being allotted for cleanliness ’ and general attention of pens, for cleanliness and condition of birds, for quality of ' birds, cost of feeding of birds, percentage of . hatching, success in rearing, and general ; keeping of chart. Already a number of sittings have been ' promised, and a good many entries have!, come; but to enable more parents to co- ; i operate it was decided to extent the time i ( of closing for entries for another week. j, Regarding the type of house to be pro I, vided, it was pointed out. that, the cost H need not be great, as it would be possible L for someone to knock up one for a little ] over £l. The Government poultry experts : , are, however, being written to for three i ipecifieatioDS of cheaply-boilt houses. J