Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 12

Poultry Notes

COLLECT EGGS REGULARLY At all periods of the year eggs should be collected regularly. In hot weather this is doubly important especially if the nest boxes are not well shaded. In the warm weather, egg production is high, and it is safe to estimate that more than half the day the nest is occupied with layers. In the first place this continual occupation of the nest keeps the eggs warm for a long period, and this is definitely detrimental to the egg. As the eggs increase in numbers in the nest during the day the risk of breakage increases, and this is a risk that a poultry-keeper cannot afford to take. It is not so much the loss of the eggs broken which matters, but it gives the birds the taste for eggs, and the menace of egg-eating among the flock may start. By collecting the eggs twice or even three times a day, the danger of egg-eating is avoided and the eggs will not require nearly as much cleaning. After ail the dividend from the birds is measured in eggs, and it is in the interest of the poultrv-keeper to see that the conditions of the nesting equipment is such that the eggs can be gathered for marketing in the cleanest and best condition possible. Green Food Take the necessary steps to ensure a constant supply of green food by regular plantings of seed. Planting little and often is preferable to planting a large area all at once. Green food should be fed in a crisp succulent condition and it is only by foresight in planting regularly that this is possible. Heredity in Breeding The fundamental law underlying all breeding operations is the law oi heredity, which means the tendency of the offspring te resemble its parent in all important characteristic. Thus the chicks of a certain breed or variety w ill resemble their parents by having the unmistakeable breed qualities, but at the same time they will differ from their parents in many minute details. In the human race there are no two persons exactly alike, and in the fowl kingdom there are no two birds identically the same in appearance. This power of the parent to produce offspring slightly different from itself opens up the immense possibilities of breeding. The law is often stated as “like begets like,” which is absolutely true and applies even to defects in the parents. Thus a certain bird is influenced not only by its parents, but by many previous generations, and this is why line breeding is practised so much. The bird partakes not only of the qualities of its ancestors, but also of their defects. There is always a strong, ever-present tendency to revert to former types. Therefore, if the number of immediate ancestors can be reduced in number, there is less likelihood of defects cropping out. Among birds and animals in a natural state breeding is carried on by natural selection. The most perfect specimens are usually the most vigor ous, and it is by these that the race is perpetuated. The flock is not affected to any extent by the weak, deformed specimens, as they are crowded to the background. Does this not teach the lesson that the first and most important of all requisites in breeding is vigour? The breeder, by selecting and mating certain specimen', takes the place of Nature. Therefore, it behoves him to work in harmony with Nature. By this is meant that none but the vigorous specimens should be used for breeding. How often have poultry keepers been seen to meet with most phenomenal success for a few years, and then their flocks would go all to pieces, and they would come tin against an impassable barrier bearing the inscription, "You may go no further.” In all line breeding there should be ever present in the poultry-keeper.' mind Natures law, "the survival oi the fittest.” This should be a warning where he is tempted to use a weak, delicate specimen simply because it excels in shape and colour, or in some other fine point. In erecting a large building, the most important essential is to have a solid foundation, so that storey altei storey can be added with perfect safety. In producing a strain oi fowls a beginning must be made with thi foundation stock of the utmost vigoui and vitality. Then one can, with eacl succeeding generation, add detail aftei detail of tic finer standard requirements and one will have the satisfaction of knowing that what is acquire; will be retained. The structure k built on a foundation of rock, no; sand. One of the best tests if vigour i. the early hatch. Who would like t. have a strain that would not product fertile eggs and strong, vigorous chicks in July and August? Heredity plays an important part in the fertii ity of eggs. It will be supposed tha half a dozen male birds have been in as many different pens, and one o these male birds gave much higher fertility than the others righ throughout the season. The sons o this bird are very much more likely to continue this high fertility than an the sons of the other birds. The bird that gives the highest fer tility from July to October should b( most prized, providing, of course, tha he has the standard characteristic; that it is desired to reproduce. Doc; it not stand to reason that a m.se bin than can fertilise 15 eggs out of 15 i; more likely to stamp his colour, shape and production ability on his chick than a male bird of low fertility ?

EGG-LAYING CONTEST. MASSEY COLLEGE RESULTS. Following are the results for the forty-fourth week of the egg-laying contest being conducted at Massey College:— Single Pens. Section B.—Mrs. R. Willers, 8.0. (41 26x; L. Mason, R.1.R., No. 2 (4) 251; W. A. Larsen, A.O. (1) 250; K. Mullins, R.I.R. (5) 217; S. T. Bason Lang, No. 1 16) 214; L. Mason, R.1.R.. No. 1 16) 211; S. T. Bason, Lang., No. 3 (2) 192; E. H. Berger, 8.0. (0) 189; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.W. (3) 181; S. Wilkinson, R.1.R., 175 d: S. T. Bason, Lang., No. 2 (6) 174; J. D. Rowlands, R.I.R. (0) 158; T. Dowthwaite, 8.0.

Section A.--F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 3 (41 260; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 4 (0) 259 x; .1. A. Annan, W.L. (5) 258; Ancona Stud P.F., W.L. (6) 250; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 2 (7) 250; A. G. Mummy, W.L., No. 3 (4) 237; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.L., No. 1 (5) 236; W. F. Stent. W.L., No. 2 (5) 224; T. E. Ker, W.L., No. 2 (5 ) 220; P. Mummery, Min. (4) 217; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 1 (4) 215. x; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 2 (5) 215; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 1 (1) 215; F. Ecob, W.L., No. 1 (5) 208; A. A. Hoare, W.L., No. 2 (5) 200; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.L., No. 2 (6) 193; F. Ecob. W.L.. No. 4. 192 d; A. A. Hoare. W.L., No. 1. (6) 188; A. G. Mumby. W.L., No. 4 (0) 176; W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 3 (6) 175; F. Ecob,

W.L.. No. 3 (4) 171; F. Ecob. W.L.. No. 2 (0) 160; H. Polson, W.L. (0) 144: W. F. Stent. W.L., No. 1 (0) 116; T. E. Ker, W.L.. No. 1 (0) 115 r. Teams Results. Section D. W. A. Larsen. A. 0.: 253, 239, 274. ■ 226, 231. 262 (29), 1485. E. W. Stephenson. A. 0.: 194, 220, 214, 186, 194, 220 x (24), 1228. L. G. Hooper, B.O.: 195, 192 x, 143, 240. 218, 198 (30). 1186. G. A. Edge, R.1.A.: 194, 115 d, 226, 256. 212. 156 d (13). 1159. Miss E. T. Somer, R.1.R.: 153 x, 157, 212, 212, ISlx. 183 (16', 1098. Section C. J. Wilson. W.L.: 227, 231, 238, 259, 230, 249 (33), 1434. F. S. Allen, W.L.: 249, 220 x, 252, 246 x, 218, 212 ( 33). 1397. J. Mold. W.L.: 207, 237, 237 x, 225, 232. 227 (28). 1365. F. Ecoh. W.L.: 272, 176 r, 217, 235, 229, 191 (30). 1320. Cotswold. P.F., W.L.: 159 d, 176 r, 246. 233. 236, 258 ( 21). 1308. H A. Lucas, W.L.: 270, 234, 233. 224 r. 161. 145 d (21), 1267. r Replace bird, x Disqualified because of egg weight clause, d Bird dead.