POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 251, 21 September 1929, Page 11

POULTRY NOTES

A NEW DISCOVERY. (By “Brooder.”) It is stated that a simple method of determining sex in day-old Barred Rock chicks lias been developed at the Oregon, U.S.A. Experimental Station. Observation of several thousand chicks has proved that their sex may be told by the colour of their legs. The method of distinguishing the pullets from cockerels in day-olds in sex-linked poultry has been known to us for some time, but in a pure breed we have not had anything so definite before, says an English paper. In Barred Rocks a certain proportion of blacks are thrown and these are always pullets. At the time of hatching, some chicks have yellow legs and feet, while others have legs and feet that are almost black. Chicks with yellow legs and feet are males; those with dark legs and feet are females. Sometimes the feet of females may show patches of yellow, but their legs will always be dark. Between these two groups, graduations in colour will bo found, ranging from a yellow with a slightly smoky tinge to a light smoke or dark smoke colour. Of those the lighter ones will be males and the darker ones will be females. The Plymouth Rock is a fine upstanding utility bird, very hardy, and an excellent winter layer of large brown-shelled eggs. Barred Rocks are difficult to breed a true level colour and are apt to show brassiness in the hackle feathers, which would spoil an exhibition bird. The exhibition White Rock is a magnificent bird. The Buff is probably the best utility variety, and some strains are remarkably good winter layers.

Likewise do Campines appeal also to those interested in sex-linkage, for by breeding from a Gold cockerel and Silver hens one gets chicks whose sex is distinguishable on hatching, the Gold chicks being females and the Silvers males. To those who like uniformity in their birds this is a great point, as you have the advantage of sex distinction and yet preserve the type of one breed —which, of course, is not possible when two separate breeds are crossed. There are sure to be many readers who are interested in the aforegoing, and who may be induced to experiment on the lines suggested above. On the other hand, there may be those who want to know wliat other advantage is to be gained by adopting this very old, but what is to them a new breed, or one which they know very little about. The Campine has other attractions which gain for it in other countries ever increasing favour. Readers who prefer a light breed but want a change from the universal White Leghorn cannot do better than take up this handsome breed. There are two varieties, Golds and Silvers, the latter being the most popular. The ground colour is white in Silvers and rich, deep gold in the Golds, and is barred all over, except the head and neck hackle, with beetle-green black. In an exhibition specimen the barring should be clear-cut and run straight across the feather, and should bo three times the width of the ground colour showing between the bars. There is one standard for both exhibition and utility and prizes have been awarded to the same bird in both classes. If any readers are keen on showing, there is a good opening with the Golds, as fewer Golds than Silvers are bred, and consequently competition is not so keen. As to their utility qualities, Campines certainly deserve more consideration than they get in these days. They rival the White Leghorn in early maturity, and their handsome, large white eggs, laid in abundance when strain is right, attract admiration, while a glance at a well-bred Campine hen will convince poultry men that they are built for laying. Compared with heavy breeds, which mature at from seven to eight months, the shapely Campine’s meaty breast at a few months entitles it to every respect as a rapid flesh producer, even if on a moderate scale. A very pleasing feature that should be mentioned with regard to Campines is that they require very little food when given their liberty, as they are remarkably good foragers, while for exposed conditions they are admirably suited. Most of the prolific egg producers fail to give satisfaction after the second season, while Campines, if not allowed to become over fat, will do extremely well in their third season.

Laying fowls are, as a rule, highly strung and very nervous creatures. Particularly so are broody fowls, and the utmost care is necessary once tho birds are set on their nest. Any sudden fright will oftimes so unsettle them that they will leave the nest and desert the eggs. A writer to “Brooder” speaks of a bird which got away, leaving her eggs for two days. He is concerned and wonders if it is any good allowing tho bird to continue. “Brooder,” like a good many readers, perhaps, would like to know what will happen. A caso is known where a bird had sat for 12 days and then left the nest. Another bird was not secured after leaving the nest until about 48 hours had elapsed. Every egg hatched and all were healthy chicks. Of course, much depends upon the vitality of the breeding stock, and again it is thought that the length of time the hatch has been in progress may have much to do with it. It is to he hoped that “Enquirer” will allow the aforementioned hatch to proceed and let us know the result.