POULTRY NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 May 1913, Page 7

POULTRY NOTES.

(By Utilitarian.)

The latest advice from Canada, dated March 29th, is that there aiv twenty-five egg circles now in operation. So gi\at is the demand that the officials are unable to keep pace in forming them, being short of men suitable for the purpose. It is expected that, shortly, the Poultry Producers' Association of Canada will act as salesmen, on the same lines as the Danish Co-operative Egg Exchange. A well-known poultryman in Cartertoji'has . recently taken unto himself a partner in the business, and it is their intention to produce one thousand pullets iniy coming season. Th"is is not an easy proposition; many can raise two or three hundred; but to get up to a thousand is a very different matter. Extensive experiences ftnd a fair amount of capital are both imperative. However, ivf- wish them bptli every success, and hop.' to, see the thousand eventuate into another thousand the following y«u\ In these days of dear feed, large numbers are necessary to make a com-' fortable living. The same gentleman lia.y entered a pen into the present laying competition, and lie stands well, so far. It would be a-feather in the Wairarnpa cap to see him come out on top .next March, especially iis this" honour has hitherto failed to come tills way.

During a recent visit to the yaiu it was interesting to note the exceptionally fine quality of the liens of which the breeding pens will be picked. The mbale birds were not quite to our. liking, but as there is so much difference of opinion as to what does constitute a good sir?, it would not be justice to pass an opinion. More than likely, the good points over-balance any slight deficiencies, if any. of the latter. After all, the great point is to keep the strain intact, and :ven if the bird is somewhat deficient in in quality the good points of the anc: strv w.ll, in all probability, show out- in the coming mating, tins next season. The. Utility Circle held a very enjoyable- meeting last Thursday evening at Mr O'Lcarv's residence The doTegates who attended the late . conference gave-a descriptive account of their work up Noi'" l * especially Mr Hesp, who ispoke upwards of threequarters of' an hour, giving a tine example of gooci memory. Two new members joined the Circle the same evening, one of them living a farmer some distance Out of town. He expressed the opinion that he had every confidence in getting more members, himself, very shortly. We feel sure that if only more local organisation could be effected the membership would wry quickly increase. Hens and roosters should be mated up no later than the end of this month, if it is desired to procure earlv chickens. If the breeding yeason is to be delayed till August the sexes can be, ana will be all the better left separated awhile longer 1 . Ten days running together is enough to have the eggs fertile, and suitable for hatching. Close watch should be kept on the birds during the next few weeks, so that any undesirables may not find their way into the breeding pens. Xo special good points will outweigh bad oiks, and any showing defects should be eliminated. It is best t obreed a few first-class ones than to'attempt to hatch large numbers of indifferent ones.'. Over and over again, it will be found that the best results will be seen among those who onlv keep very moderate numbers, and it is only reasonable to argue that this is due, in the first place, to more individual attention giv'.ii, and secondly, the birds being a hobby and not a commercial undertaking owner,, can afford and are zealous in keeping only their primest quality. Where a commercial poultryman would show a profit of ■say I half a crown on some of his poorer layers, a true hobbyist would disdain such a poor return if eggs his object In the main. Aim instance ..of strict attention -mav he seen not far from Mafiterton railway station, where an enthusiast keeps about a dozen fir.st-elas's white Leghorn hens. The whole place is kept scrupulously, clean, and the mash troughs are scrubbed regularly every week, and when the elements are propitious, hung in the sun to sweet. The egg yield, though not phenomenal;, is wonderfully good.