Stud Breeders and Exhibitors Victoria

www.vpfa.com.au

Volume 38. No.6. November 2019

Michael Lloyd hard at work in Perth at the

National Young Judges Competition

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019 COMMITTEES AND AREAS OF RESPOSIBILITY FOR 2019 CHAIRPERSON TONY MANN Finance: M. Holmes T. Mann

Anne Beaty Shepparton 0412 002 266 Judges: T. Brown, I. Nash, A. Beaty Co-opt K. Smith [email protected] Future Planning: J. Hunt, M. Holmes Co-opt N. Penny Ted Brown Echuca 5480 2103 [email protected] Disputes: R. Moloney, A. Beaty, J. Hunt, T. Brown

Brian Daniels Chirnside Park 9727 2336 Standards: A. Woods, M. Holmes, L. Edgley, [email protected] Co-opt K. Smith, M. Miller, Rod Lindsay (Secretary)

Lorraine Edgley Swanpool 5768 2317 Expo and Seminars: B. Daniels, M. Holmes, I. Nash, [email protected] T. Brown L. Edgley, A. Beaty Co-opt B. Bergin

Michael Holmes Wangaratta 5722 4421 Website: A. Beaty Backup L. Edgley

[email protected] Membership, Clubs and Jnl: T. Mann, L. Edgley, A. Beaty

John Hunt Molesworth 5797 6232 Merchandise & Standard Schedule: B. Daniels [email protected] 50th Anniversary Committee T. Mann, A. Beaty Tony Mann Scarsdale AH 5342 8272 Co-opt K. Collins 0418 553 984 [email protected] Exhibitor’s Fund Com/tee: A. Woods, M. Holmes Power to co-opt. D. Moloney (A Class member rep.) Rob Moloney Tylden 0417 017 814

[email protected] 5424 8433

Ian Nash Teesdale 5281 5370 [email protected]

Alf Woods Greenvale 9333 1242 JOURNAL ADVERTISING RATES [email protected]

Black and White.

Company Secretary 6 3 2 1 Anne Beaty P.O. Box 928 Shepparton 3632 Issues Issues Issues Issue [email protected] Full Page $360 $200. $140. $80.

Half Page $180 $100. $75. $40. Journal Editor Quarter Page $90 $50 $37 $20.

Lorraine Edgley 5768 2317 Business Card size $20 for 12 months 175 Swanpool-Warrenbayne Rd. Swanpool 3673 OR $5. per advert

[email protected] Full Colour

6 3 2 1 Issues Issues Issues Issue

Life Members Full Page $660 $350. $240. $130. Half Page $330 $175. $120. $65. Deceased*

S.G. Anderson* B. Bilton J. Bishop PLEASE NOTE: As from January 2018 T. Dutton* W. Fisher* R. French* I. Gillard* J. Jenkins* G. Kemp All Journal advertising must be pre-paid R. Lindsay J. Pavey* N. Penny VPFA Bank details: I. Pollerd* R. Scott* G. Sheppard* CBA - BSB: 063 838 D. Simpson A. Veerman A. Woods Account No. 10040953

VPFA Ltd. Membership and Fees for 2020

Adult ‘A’ Class Member with ejournal $50.00 (access to the Journal via members area on our website) Adult ‘A’ Class Member with hardcopy of Journal posted $95.00 Junior ‘B’ Class Member (6 – 16 years of age with ejournal) $15.00 Junior ‘B’ Class Member with hardcopy of Journal posted $55.00 Journal only for non member - hardcopy and posted $50.00

Membership ends 31st December each year

Page 2.. JOURNAL TROPHY BREEDS Editorial

The Journal trophy breeds for 2020 The points have been counted and winners of the Hardfeather -- OEG Duckwing Std/Btm Journal awards for 2019 will be announced at the Softfeather -- Standard Leghorn AGM on Sunday 1st of December at Melton. Rare Breed -- Spanish Std/Btm Waterfowl -- Bantam Breeds It was an exciting year for birds involved in the (Exc. Mallard & Call) Journal awards because they went on very many road trips around Victoria. Points are awarded to the best and reserve of these four sections on the following basis. Congratulations Michael Lloyd Runner up at the Open class entries only, National Young Judges Competition.

junior class entries do not count Congratulations to those lucky people who won a

prize in the VPFA raffle. Results are on page 8 Ten points for Best of Breed / Variety plus one point for of this Journal. each entry there. Reserve of Breed / Variety gets half the points of best. Congratulations Ron Walsh who correctly answered Tony’s September quiz. Please Note: Tony’s Corner is on page 8. where you will find Cap of 50 points maximum for Best of Breed / Variety his next question. Entries close December 31st. and 25 points maximum for Reserve Breed /Variety This is such a lovely time of year with , ducklings, poults, goslings and keets running Winners must be members of the PSBEV to earn points, around. It’s also a very busy time keeping food and juniors can score if they enter and win in the open and water up to them all and Foxes, Falcons and classes. Hawks at bay. While you are out looking after your brood, keep your eyes wide open for Secretaries/Show Secretaries are responsible for forward- snakes, there have been a lot sighted here in the ing the show results to the Editor. Please do not send to North East. anyone else as there is no guarantee they will get into the Journal. Duckin’ off now

MOST SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR EXHIBITOR. The PSBEV will again run this award to promote and Merry Christmas encourage our junior exhibitors. Merry All clubs have to do is complete the show result form and Christmas return it to the Editor. Lorraine

Ch. Junior receives 10 points, Res. Ch. 5 points.

Please note: Contents Points are only awarded if the show / club secretaries forward the results and details for inclusion. Board of Directors Page 2. Results need to be received by September 3r to allow time Editorial Page 3. for the points to be included in totals, and the right size jumpers to be ordered. Chairpersons Report Page 4.

September Board Minutes Page 5.

Results of Raffle & Tony’s Corner Page 8.

NOTE:- Some Rules for Breeding Sebrights Page 9.

Junior Judging Page 11. The opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the Pics from Shows Page 12. authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of the Poultry Stud Breeders and Exhibitors of Some Rules for Breed Sebrghts contd. Page 15. Victoria. What does Rare mean Page 17.

The Editor, and Directors of the Board, accept no Rare Varieties Page 18.

responsibility for the accuracy of claims made in this Results Page 20 Journal. The Editor and Chairperson reserve the right to correct, alter, reduce, retype, rearrange or refuse with- How the Chick Grows Page 21. out prejudice any matter submitted for publication. Breeding & Management of Geese Page 22.

Page 3.

VPFA Chairperson’s Report –

November 2019

Let me take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope to see a good number of you at the AGM/GM to be held on Sunday 1st December at Tab Corp Park, Melton but don’t forget, if you wish to have lunch beforehand then you must book ahead of time.

It was again good to see another 6 members put their hands up to contest this year’s election for the Board and I wish them all the best.

At the time of tapping this report out it has been a very slow news period but hopefully come the New Year there will be more to report.

Tony Mann

VICTORIAN POULTRY FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION LTD.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members are advised that the Annual General Meeting of the VPFA Ltd

will he held on Sunday 1st December 2019 commencing at 1.15 pm at

Tabcorp Park 2 Ferris Rd Melton South Vic 3338

The AGM will be immediately followed by a General Meeting of the membership.

There is a good Bistro at Tabcorp Park. Come for lunch beforehand and enjoy a nice meal in pleasant surroundings.

Please note: If coming for lunch you will need to book a table.

Tabcorp Park Bistro: 03 87460600

Page 4.. Minutes VPFA LTD Board Meeting

Sunday 8th September 2019 at 10.00 am Meeting was held at 10.00am 625 Mickleham Rd Greenvale. Present Tony Mann, Anne Beaty, John Hunt, Alf Woods, Brian Daniels, Ian Nash, Rob Moloney, Ted Brown, Michael Holmes, Lorraine Edgley Apologies nil Confirmation of 13th July 2019 Board Meeting Minutes and 11th August Board Meeting Minutes 2019 Changes to page 3 20/5/19 Cathy Newton letter VPFA donating to ESPA $ 100 M Alf Woods S Rob Moloney CD August minutes changes needed, bring to next meeting to confirm. Chairman Address to the Board Tony gave me a copy of his memory stick Alf spoke to everyone. Further correspondence from Stephen Legge was read and discussed. Anne put forward an amended motion. Amended Motion” That Michael Holmes receive a written warning re his behaviour towards Stephen Legge. “ Amended Motion “That Tony Mann receive a verbal caution.” M Rob Moloney S Ted Brown CD The process for complaints be formalized so every one understands the process. Once a letter comes in as a complaint there is a process and directors need to understand this process. M Rob Moloney S Ted Brown CD

Business arising from minutes. Financial Statements and Accounts for payment. Financial Statements from 10/07/19 to 30/08/19 VPFA LTD WORKING ACCOUNT (06 3838………………………………502) Balance 10/07/19 $6,885.45 Balance 30/08/19 $4,204.95

PSBEV TRADING ACCOUNT (06 3838 ………………………….953) Balance 10/07/19 $11,484.91 Balance 30/08/19 $13,839.96

APS TRADING ACCOUNT (06 3838 ……………………………493) Balance 10/07/19 $23,087.11 Balance 30/08/19 $19,336.73

Term Deposits APS Term Deposit (06 504………………….278) Balance $325,000 interest rate 2.3 % matured on 29/6/19 and Interest $7,475 was rolled over with the principal. The balance $332,475.00 was reinvested interest rate 2% maturing on 29/06/20

VPFA Term Deposit (Exhibitor Club) (06 3838……………………………….197) $327,860.86 was reinvested interest rate 2% maturing on 21/06/20 The interest 55% paid into VPFA Ac 06 3838 100…502 as per constitution. Total Balance $697,717.50 30/08/19 Accounts Payments since 10/07/19 APS PAYMENTS 06….493 Chq 000620 Commonwealth Bank $825.38 Chq 000621 Tasmanian Poultry $90.00 Chq 000622 SAPA $70.00 Chq 000623 FCAQ $580.00 Chq 000624 EPA NSW $890.00 Chq 000625 R Lindsay $750.00 Chq 000626 R Lindsay $350.00 Chq 000627 Harvey Norman $3,025.00 Where did the approval for this come from? Chq 00628 VPFA promo expenses $500.00 Michael made comment that Rod was instructed to get quotes for a computer VPFA WORKING ACCOUNT 06…….502 Transfer $2,680.50 to Society Cheque Account 0638……….953

Page 5.. Society Cheque Account (06 38……….953) Accounts paid since 10/07/19 Anne Beaty reimbursement for printing directors / secretary folders $237.15 Benalla Printing July Journal $563.50 Lorraine Edgley July Journal production $669.80 APS May $1,110.00 APS June $1,440.00 Accounts Still to pay APS to reimburse share of insurance to society cheque account. $ 583.39 APS to reimburse share of 2018 company expenses to society cheque account. $ APS July Account $2120 APS August Account not received yet Nevett Ford solicitor advice for APS Standard copy right $ 2081.75

M Michael Holmes S Alf Woods CD

Correspondence In 542 emails received since last meeting. A constant flow of show reports is coming in, still some outstanding. Inwards Correspondence 5/8/19 National Poultry Show Information and request for Judges and Stewards 5/8/19 Email from Mountain District 6/8/19 Proxy from Tony Mann 6/8/19 Email from Mountain District 7/8/19 Proxy from Michael Holmes 8/8/19 Nevitt Ford Cost estimation for copy right 8/8/19 Email from Portland yes Kyneton email 9/8/19 Email from Barb Pearce Motion that aps letter go straight m ted s Alf cd$700 10/8/19 Email from Erika Nash 11/8/19 Email from Tony Mann 12/8/19 Email from Tony Mann 12/8/19 Email from Tony Mann 14/8/19 Email from Tony Mann 14/8/19 Letter from Stephen Legge 21/8/19 Letter from Solicitor 23/8/19 Letter from Tab corp park. $700 24/8/19 Letter from Cathy Newton 26/8/19 Email from Rod Bowles re junior judging will email to rod re money $600 maybe VPFA give $100 Mel Hall takes good photos 26/8/19 Email from DEDJTR Animal welfare 26/8/19 Invoice from Nevett Ford 30/8/19 Advice from Nevett Ford 2/9/19 Letter from Alf Woods 2/9/19 Letter from Brian Daniels 2/9/19 Email from Andy Vardy Outwards Correspondence 18/7/19 Letter to Ararat Ag society 10/8/19 Letter for Richard Allman 14/8/19 Email to Tony Mann 20/8/19 Email to Rod re APS solicitor’s advice. M Anne Beaty S Rob Moloney CD Judging and Judges VWA sending out tests for waterfowl revision. Judging not happening at Royal will have to organize another day. Eggs may happen at Royal A Vardy and Erica Nash Looking for upgrade. Will send them paperwork to fill out. Judges committee can then discuss and bring back to the board. VWA recommend that Neville Chislett and Michael Paterson be put on Provisional W/F Motion “That the VPFA accept the VWA recommendations and accept Neville Chislett and Michael Paterson on to the VPFA provisional judges’ panel.” M Anne Beaty S John Hunt Warragul date for judging testing Invite clubs to apply for delegates and Judging days for 2020 Raffle Tickets are being returned ready for draw. Friday 20th September at the ROYAL MELB Show Function 5pm Dallas smith all points APS committee Motion “Any requests that are given to APS standard should go to the board for total approval with APS Recommendation. “

M Tony Mann S Brian Daniels CD

Page 6.. Disputes & Resolutions Committee Process for complaints type for next meeting.

New Regulations selling of caged birds. All Affiliated clubs have been sent paperwork. Exhibitor Fund Approved by Alf Woods, Michael Holmes and Donna Moloney.

Motion “That we accept the 2018 grant application from Border Tall & All Game Club.” M Michael Holmes S Alf Woods CD Criteria for exhibitor fund be looked at.

Show Dates 2020

Mountain district 20/6/19 Kyneton 7/6/19 “Draft dates be circulated. M Michael Holmes S Ian Nash CD Michael to do another draft of dates and send out to clubs. APS The VPFA secretary should be receiving the APS minutes as per constitution. Still not happening.

Any further Business Run a raffle in ag show 6 months Raffles Tickets leave it as it is. June to august printed

Day Passes Motion

“Michael Lloyd be given $100 cash spending money for use when going to the WA young judge’s competition.” M Michael Holmes S Lorraine Edgley CD Memberships advise them of joining now is Memberships Suggest a $5 rise Motion “Memberships be increased to adult$ 95 and e journal $55 and journal only $50 and juniors $15 and $ 55.

M Rob Moloney S Alf Woods CD Ted Brown against motion Ted talks against the motion people can’t afford it

Facebook members need to send direct to board

Motion “The VPFA Board will not conduct their business on Facebook or any other forms of social media.” M Tony Mann S Rob Moloney CD Motions For AGM Western poultry club Day passes John if you are a member you can use it for that club only but you must be a member of that club.

Tony clubs are happy with system The old system they were given 2 day passes and system was open for misuse. Better system Day Pass discussion

Day passes against Alf Michael clubs won’t pay 50 for a special member Ian scrap Brian system has been abused from day one Lorraine happy some abuse it Rob scrap them Ted scrap it John scrap Anne put to membership Tony be able to show at there club only and it will have they Names must be provided to the secretary of VPFA but the secretary will let them in “You can purchase a day pass for your local club only. Wangaratta and Alexandra did work with the old system Due to the exploitation of day passes

Motion “Day passes are scrapped.” 8 for it to be scrapped 2 against M Alf Woods S CD 2 against

Page 7.. Motion “Clubs write to the board for approval for a member who only shows at their local show, $10.00 to be paid to the word of mouth.”

Rare breed formula for rare breed what is it 1 or 2 breeders, Board members set up a committee. Rare breed committee Rob Moloney, Lorraine Edgley, Ian Nash, Ted Brown, Sony Ford

Investments have good look at. down to quarter percent in a year John Alexander buy a property and rent it out Property market factory are best investment Unit in Ballarat or Bendigo

Breeders directory to the clubs Web page put it on to see if member want to be in breeder’s directory. Name and email only put a note on our face book page voluntary only Stand at the royal

Check with Rod about John Damiano’s letter? Ted, we need to look into Anne’s wage Michael agreed, need to find some money. Annual Reports needed. Meeting Closed 2.55pm

Results of the VPFA Raffle

1st. David Ingram Drawn by Len Wills 2nd Michael Holmes Drawn by Owen Glover 3rd Caitlin Mannix Drawn by Joel Stingle

Tony’s Corner

Congratulations Ron Walsh for correctly answering the September quiz.

Jeanie C. Riley, had a song Harper Valley PTA Barbara Eden, starred in the movie based on the song.

Novembers Question.

What do Gene Pitney and James Stewart / John Wayne have in common?

Entries close December 31st 2019

Email entries to [email protected]

Postal entries to175 Swanpool-Warrenbayne Rd. Swanpool 3673 Liz Johnson receiving her family block of chocolate from Tony Mann for correctly answering the July Quiz.

Page 8.. Some of the Rules for Breeding Sebrights (Continued)

BROODING HINTS When brooding if possible keep the very young Sebrights separate from other breeds because they are soft and are easily knocked about by the stronger chicks of other breeds. So separate them from other birds except for . Raise a maximum of 25 birds together. When hatching only 4 or 5 a week then brooding several weeks hatching together seems to be ok, just keep removing the oldest ones after 6 weeks when they will be vigorous enough to raise with other breeds. Very young Sebright chickens must not be left for long periods without a heater as they have little capacity to keep themselves warm and will promptly die. So for the first week check the heater last thing at night and throw a feed bag over the brooder during winter. If using globes for a heat source use a new globe with each new batch. Limit the number of chicks to 20 to a maximum of 25 to a 40W globe. Add the smallest chick from the previous hatch to educate the new chicks to feeding and drinking. If not available then dip several of the new chick’s beak into the water, and spread food at the edge of the heater. A brooder that allows the chicks a clear view of you approaching them will end up producing birds that are quieter and easier to handle than those chicks raised in a box on the floor. This is because the chicks are not startled by the sudden appearance of a huge human towering over them.

Each of these brooders could accommodate up to 30 chicks. In the event of a power blackout a good source of heat is hot water in a PET soft drink bottle placed on the floor of the brooder when the chicks are very young.

I Feed the chicks medicated 22% protein “Turkey and starter crumbles” which has produced good results particularly if a bright green Lucerne (Crameri’s of Marybrough) chaff or grass cut up finely is spread on the litter. They can be feed this ration until they are fully grown. All Sebright chickens if only fed crumbles, whether raised in a brooder or by a hen and fed only crumbles will need their bums wiped at 5 days and 10 days old to remove the manure that can paste over the vent and it will clog up the gut system causing death of the chick. At the same time remove any manure knobs removed from their feet after about 3 and 6 weeks to prevent toe nails being garrotted off. If a chick escapes from a brooder they will not beep when lost, but they will sit quietly huddled up and die from cold and starvation. That’s where Mollie the collie becomes very handy by pointing them out to me, otherwise all I will find is a dried up carcass. A pen that is 600d x 1200w x 750h with a perch can happily hold up to four breeding adults, or raise 6 young chicks. Too many birds in a pen leads to the litter becoming a damp compacted mess and unable to absorb drop- pings. I add a 2litre scoop of Lucerne chaff that is very green and some sawdust each week. The lucerne is part of the feed regime. Also I feed a hand full of mixed grains each afternoon to encourage the birds to turn over and aerate the pens’ litter. The pen can be made using a double show pen front with wires at 25mm centres that makes them fox proof. Note the 140mm board at bottom of the pens in a attempt to keep the litter in the pens, the panels used for construction need to be rodent resistant such as galvanised iron or cement sheet. When putting 6-8 week old chicks into large pens and there are already some older birds in the pen watch out for bulling, the older birds could kill the younger ones.

Page 9..

As the chicks grow they become comfortable looking people in the eye. Having a radio playing ABC classic FM calms the birds from being hysterical at any sound such as a shovel scraping on concrete or dog running through passed the pens.. The fan is to circulate air on days over 30ºC.

If a cock bird becomes aggressive to you, ‘hypnotise’ him immediately. Do this by holding him tight with his back on the litter with his head covered with a hand until his legs are relaxed then leave the bird immobilised on its back in the cage by slowly taking the hand covering the head away in the direction of the beak. As soon as he gets up it is important to repeat the ‘hypnotising’ and he will be completely disorientated and lose his aggression for a considerable time. It works most of the times but some cocks are super aggressive and it is a short time solution. The immobilisation that the bird goes into is a defence that birds do to fool a predator into thinking they are dead. The aggressive cock is only defending his territory and harem but it is important to have control of the birds and to be able to put your hand in a pen without being attacked.

RAISING BIRDS TO BE IN SHOW CONDITION

The level of difficulty to get a top show exhibit increases from a silver female followed by a gold female, but it is much harder to get a good silver male, and the hardest of all is an outstanding gold male.

Young birds taken from a brooder at 6 weeks will destroy the feathers of the cushion going up to the tail when placed in a pen with other birds. It does not matter if the sexes are separated or not, after a few weeks they will be unshowable. I have found that if the chicks are raised on turkey crumbles until they are about 10 - 12 weeks old then moved into show pens in pairs an assessment can be made as to whether each bird has the potential to be good enough to show or to breed. The culls go to the cull pen, the few goodn’s are raised in the show pens or pens of one sex in two’s with a maximum of 3 birds. I recently built two sets of ten training pens, they have been a great asset when sorting and training birds. The 460 x 460 fronts were purchased from Keith Welsh phone 0411038220 they have 35mm mounting tags on top and 20mm on the bottom. I mounted them using fence staples and dowels that allowed the fronts to be easily removed when cleaning the pens. The pens were made from 12mm external ply painted white because that’s colour I had left over from a job. Set the level of the top pens so that the bottom of the cage door height is at armpit level to allow easy catching of the birds. It is handy to have the pens no deeper than 600mm to allow for easy catching birds.

These chicks are ready to be assessed, they have another moult before maturity but a good idea of their potential can be assessed at this stage of development

Please turn to page 15. Page 10.. The National Young Judges Competition

This years National Young Judges Competition was held at the Perth Royal Show. There were six competitors from the age of 15 - 25 years.

Competitors had to place the birds before them and justify the reasoning for their placement.

The over judge was Peter Strike.

The six competitors in this years National Young Judges Competition.

Left Courtney Davies (NZ.) third Centre Harry Taylor (SA) Champion Right Michael Lloyd (VIC) Runner Up Harry Taylor and Michael Lloyd

Page 11..

Ch. Turkey owned by Akers Flock Royal Melbourne Show Caitlin Mannix’s Rhode Island Red bantam Ch. Junior Royal Melbourne Show

In the foreground from left Champion Bird in Show at the Royal Melbourne Show Lee Holmes, Barbara Veerman and Christine Phillips Akers Flock’s white Muscovy

Kingsley Hancock, Michael Lloyd and Norm Hand From left Waterfowl Judge Joel Stingle (Tas) with Roger Hancock and son

Page 12.. Taking a break, from left John Betts, Michael Patterson and Best bantam at the Royal owned Tony Mann at the Royal by Ducknuts Waterfowl

Meg Grootveld’s Silkie pullet Caitlin Mannix’s Lucas McDermott’s Best Jnr Silkie bantam Black Orpington ck. Black Australorp ckl. Best Junior Australorp

Sienna Finemore’s black Langshan ckl. Best Junior Game at Templestowe College’s Res. Junior Softfeather Royal Melbourne Show Silver Spangled Hamburgh plt. Donvale Christian College Res. Junior Hamburgh

Page 13.. Ted Brown receiving the Allen Jorgensen memorial Alan Lawrence with his OEG trophy for best bird in show (Pekin Drake) at Numurkah Black/Red D/L cock agricultural show by Allen's son Geoff. Left is Judge Leigh Mannix.

Caitlin Mannix winning her 4th Ernie Jones memorial Norman Ironside holding his Golden trophy with her Rhode Island Red bantam ck at Duckwing. Champion Bird in Show at Alexandra Poultry club’s 30th show. Colac Agricultural Show, with Judge Jason Calloway

Ken Watson judging Cayugas at Warragul Poultry Club Show Wayne Paternoster and Irene Askew at Warragul Poultry Club Show

Page 14..

The show training pens have a 140 mm front board to hold in the litter

The cage fronts are held in place by using fence staples on the tails that are 35mm long on the top and 20mm long on the bottom, this allows the front to be lifted up and removed for easy cleaning and photographing the birds. The dowel peg or a large nail at the top holds them in. They are not fox proof because the wires are spaced more than 25mm apart. 1/ Hanging a sheet of 1”or 2" mesh on the front of the cages is enough to deter foxes.

When sorting the birds for breeding pens, I attach notes about each bird’s strengths and weakness to each training pen, because my memory is fading. Pen training is important for showing birds so that their flightiness does not distract the judge from the quality of the bird. Cockerels tend to take longer to train than pullets and the older the bird the longer it takes. Firstly I select birds that are not crazy when I approach a training pen after three days. Then for about a week or so, each day be- fore I feed each bird I place my hand inside the front of the cage and hold it perfectly still until the bird has settled and is not agitated, then I remove my hand from the pen and feed the bird. It helps if the bird is hungry. Gradually I move my hand from side to side and get closer to the bird without them getting nervous. The next week, each day I shepherd the bird to one side and just touch the bird on its side. After that the bird has confidence in you and can be caught anytime without any fuss whenever desired. This confidence remains even if it has been out in a breeding pen for a spell. Having strangers around is good training for shows. A nervous bird in hand can be calmed by stroking the wattles on its throat. Another way is to put the birds head in your armpit so it can’t see any thing. Fabric stain remover works well at removing stains from the flight feathers of silver birds for showing. The challenges of breeding Sebrights will never cease. It’s all very well to know the rules but it’s an entirely a different matter to get it all on one bird that can reproduce. The allusive perfect bird is yet to be bred, but the faulty Sebrights that I have are good to have around, they sort of give me a reason to stick about, 88% is good enough for me maybe one day I’ll get 98% or even 99.99% one day who knows?

Laurie is happy to receive any comments of queries. Contact Laurie at [email protected]

Page 15..

BOOKS OF INTEREST There are very few books on Sebrights that have ever been published, I have also included some books on genetics..

Gold and Silver Sebright Bantams by R WISEMAN-CUNNINGHAM

(a very good read) The Feathered World 1905 (reprints are now available)

Sebright Bantams by Roy Van Heosen, Editor Bantam Supply House Franklinville New York 1939

The Sebright Manual Sebright Club of America 1962

Golden and Silver Sebright Bantams by Bill Holland American Bantam Association 1980

SEBRIGHT BANTAMS by Joseph Batty second edition 2007

The Sebright Club Year Book 1872 – 2012 edited by Chris Parker 2012

Digital Magazine AVICULTURE EUROPE http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/ go to vol14 #5 for some excellent articles on sebrights

Creative Poultry Breeding By Clive Carefoot 1986 –(there were only 500 copies printed)

Genetics of Colours by Sigrid Van Dort & David Hancox 2008 available from David Hancox 29 Cundagai Rd Cooyamunda 2590 ph 02 6942 2152

Poultry breeding and genetics edited by R. D. Crawford Elsevier 1990 1123 pages of very good information my copy cost $183 about 15 years ago

Gamefowl Breeders Manual and Cockers Guide vol 2 by Kenny Troiano 2011

Maximus Troy Publications PO Box 2727 Ramona California 92065

Youtube - Google “Laurie Smart incubating eggs” to view a lecture done at the

Warragul poultry club Aug 2017

An interesting site on genics https://kippenjungle.nl/basisEN.htm

Fancy fowl magazine Vol33 issue5 (Feb 2014) & Vol36 issue8 (May 2017)

Practical Poultry issue 147 March 2016

Australian Poultry vol 30 issue 1 April/May 2019 page 22-23 Breeding Showy Sebrights

Page 16.. What Does Rare Mean? by Megg Miller

Defining which breeds should be in the running for rare breed awards causes headaches for many poultry clubs. Which breeds should be classified rare? What about new or uncommon colour varieties, should they be included too?

Without doubt there are a few breeds that are in low or declining numbers. So rarely are they seen at shows, Australia wide, that their status is really troubling. As well there are likely to be breeds where there are just a couple of bloodlines remaining. In other words, there is little genetic diversity within the breed, which puts it at risk for perpetuity.

The point of offering rare breed awards is to encourage the breeding and, hopefully, preservation of endangered breeds. The driver behind preservation is the belief that the traditional breeds may carry genes that are important. They could be connected with fitness and vigour, disease resistance, broodiness, early egg lay or just ability to cope with specific environmental challenges, eg rising summer temperatures.

Traits that are specific to a breed form part of the genotype and illustrate why preservation is important. Some common examples include the superior table bird conformation of Indian Games, the reputation Faverolles have enjoyed of having succulent meat, the economical feed intake and early egg lay of Anconas and the Naked Neck’s ability to cope with increased summer temperatures and to lay, producing strong-shelled eggs, when other breeds would be suffering heat stress.

There are also breeds that warrant preservation for historical or heritage reasons, such as the , Dorking, Malay and Australian Game.

If you’re keen on including a class for rare breeds and varieties, it’s wise to work out what you want to achieve. The ultimate reason should always have conservation at its core, but it is necessary to understand that there is a huge difference between the extinction of a breed and a variety.

What is a breed? A breed carries a genetic blueprint plus characteristics that have been shaped by environment and management. If you lose a breed, if you let it dwindle down to such numbers that it loses vigour, fertility and hatchability, putting out-crosses into it or remaking what it looks like it wont duplicate the all-important genetic blueprint.

You can admire a good re-creation and several breeds have successfully been remade, like the Bramah, but the serious conservationists overseas will not include such examples on their lists. They believe that only the surviv- ing original population of a traditional breed has the genetic make-up which is critical to preserve.

So the criteria for rare breed inclusion should be a historical or heritage breed. Obviously, the sustainability of such breeds will differ between states and may even vary within the large states. This makes it difficult to create hard and fast classifications, however, there are a few breeds that should automatically be included on all lists. Croad Langshans, Dorkings, Houdans, Spanish and Naked Necks plus probably Andalusians could go on all rare breed lists.

Rare hardfeather breeds should include Malay and Australian Game.

While there are one or two serious breeders committed to ensuring the long term survival of their strain, what tends to happen is that well meaning but inexperienced breeders acquire stock, try breeding for a few years then walk away. Pat Birchall has been quoted many times in saying that all serious experienced breeders should add a rare breed to their stud to help ensure the old breeds continue. It is sound advice because only experienced breed- ers who can pull dwindling populations out of the problems that threaten to snuff them out.

Why haven’t some of the re-created breeds been included on the list of those that have suddenly reappeared after more than 50 years absence? Are we committed to preserving the presumed pure genotype of the traditional breeds or should the criteria be widened to include re-created breeds? Brahmas have been re-created in the past two decades and Cochins were attributed to the re-creation skill of a now deceased Victorian breeder who worked on them in the 1970s and 1980s. Sicilian Buttercups and Sultans are re-creations too. Marans are of recent appearance, as are the Phoenix, Shamo and Sumatra.

As a club, how do you want to handle the different levels of “rare”? To keep all club members happy it may be necessary to rotate awards, one year targeting the traditional rare breeds group followed the next year by re-created breeds and followed by the group of less common breeds.

Page 17.. That they should all compete together is farcical in terms of the need to conserve some endangered breeds. Rare has to be understood to mean more than ‘not many’, it relates to acknowledging the need to conserve some old breeds that stand a low chance of being around in 20 years time.

Black Spanish cock Black Naked Neck hen

What of Rare Varieties? With rare breeds we are talking about the breed per se running out of steam, but a variety merely means one of several colours of a breed. The breed’s future is secure and mostly, colours are relatively manufactured.

RARE VARIETIES by Megg Miller

If you are planning a rare breed award at your show, make sure you are up on the

Distinction between a rare breed and a rare variety.

The previous article didn’t approach the question ‘which breeds are rare?’ from just an exhibitors viewpoint, but also encouraged readers to think about why rare breeds need support and what a conservation approach involves.

A Global Issue. Rare breeds today have become a point for discussion worldwide and many countries have active organisations that classify and promote breeds in need of preservation. We are currently dragging our feet in this area. While we do have several clubs servicing rare breeds, they do tend to be locally focused and the emphasis is on the show pen, not on conservation.

Exhibition breeders and those involved with conservation differ markedly in their selection criteria. Exhibition breeders concentrate on the genes that will produce a bird that meets the breed standard’s requirements. It means focusing on a handful of genes and sacrificing a whole rafter of utility characteristics.

The conservation breeder aims for a purebred flock, but they want the general characteristics too because they realise that in these they will get disease resistance, longevity, hot weather adaption, eggshell colour, growth rate and lots more. You get these with genetic diversity, but the show quality of the birds may not be parallel with the birds produced by the exhibition breeder.

So someone conserving a breed along the lines recommended by the various global rare breed agencies won’t stand a chance if they exhibit their their birds alongside recreated breeds or even rare vrieties. Of course, there are still breeders of some of the seriously endangered pure breeds producing good show birds and at the same time multiplying numbers. That’s not conservation breeding, but a fair compromise.

Where do Rare Varieties Fit? A breed is an established, recognisable group of birds related by breeding that share the same genetic make-up. A variety is a sub group within the breed, differentiated only by characteristics like comb type, facial feathering or by plumage colour or pattern.

Page 18.. In many breeds there are original or founding colours: take the Ancona, there was originally just one colour but in recent times an additional variety has been developed. Because an outcross was used for the red/buff colour gene, the variety is not genetically identical to the original breed, although it looks the same. In many new varieties you can see there has benn an unrelated cross because they still display some physical characteristics of the colour donor breed.

Even if these varieties are in low numbers their genetic value to our breed gene bank is less important than the pure rare breeds. It’s for this reason they should not compete against rare breeds.

Many varieties are recent creations and they warrant acknowledgement because they are excellent replicas of their original or founding breed. Some of the OEG colours fit into this group. The question to ponder when the term ‘rare’ is used is whether there will still be representatives of the breed in existence if a particular colour is lost. If the Croad Langshan or the Spanish is lost, there is a total void. The breed has gone. But if the Red Ancona or one of the newer colour varieties of Wyandotte perishes, we still have the founding breed to return to.

Varieties in the main are minor colours. They can be a long established colour or a recent one. There would be less confusion if we offered awards for best Minor Colour instead of incorrectly piggy backing them with rare breeds.

We all understand and accept that there are major breeds and that there are minor breeds. Can we not also put up awards for minor colours, especially as the majority of birds that are assigned rare breed/variety awards are a minor colour of a major breed?

It makes a travesty of the meaning of rare to give awards to varieties of major breeds.

Where to with Awards? We need to differentiate between the groups of breeds that are commonly designated rare by describing those that are purportedly still pure as the ‘traditional’ rare breeds. Those of recent re-creation or which have been substan- tially improved by outcrossing are just rare breeds.

The group of breeds that have appeared in the last decade and whose origination or makeup is unknown or cloudy will no doubt be included with the rare breeds.

I would propose that an award be offered for traditional rare breeds for one year and for rare breeds the next. It is important that clubs agree on the breeds within the two categories and provide a list so both exhibitors and judges are clear about the system. The traditional pure breeds are essentially the same Australia wide, but those in the second group will vary state by state. For example a Barnevelder may be rare in one state but not in another.

This leaves the varieties to be dealt with separately . An award could be offered for Best Minor Colour or clubs may prefer to stick with the appellation and offer Best Rare Variety.

More discussion and feedback are needed on some of the long-standing colours that asre becoming numerically low. What is the best way of encouraging interest in these breeds? Does it matter if they die out?

Fanciers are the custodians of purebred poultry and so the issue of which breed is or isn’t rare is quite serious. We need overseas help in regards to developing conservation programs, but in the meantime, clubs can help by taking rare breeds seriously and structure their awards system to reflect this.

The List of Rare Breeds Rare Varieties Traditional rare breeds purportedly still pure: Colour varieties that are currently recognis- Andalusian; Campine; Croad Langshan, Dorking ed as being numerically low could include; Hamburgh; Houdan; Spanish; Malay; Australian Game. Dun; Henfeather; Furness; Tassel, Cuckoo;

Rare breeds re-created or carrying a genetic boost Spangle (in some areas) OEG; Birchen and From other breeds: Araucana; Brahma; Cochin; Spangle ; Blue; Duckwing, Faverolles; Naked Neck; Sicilian Buttecup; Sultan. Cuckoo and Leghorn; White and

Breeds of recent circulation, genetic origination unknown: Buff Plymouth Rock; Rhode Island White; Marans; Pheonix; Yokohama; Shamo; Sumatra. Buff; Silver and Speckled Sussex; Silver Pencilled, Black, Buff Laced Wyandottes; Rosecomb; and Red Ancona.

Breed clubs for Belgian bantams, Pekins and Wyandottes should be consulted as they have a multiplicity of varieties and know first-hand the numerical status of them.

Page 19.. Warragul Poultry Club

Annual Show *** 21-7-2019

Judges: Ken Watson, L. & V. Wood, I. Hunt and A. Beaty. Entries 800

CH BIRD IN SHOW: I. Askew: Btm Ausralorp plt. RES BIRD IN SHOW: A. Fraser: OEG Grey Btm ck. CH W/F: K. Collins: White Indian Runner drake RES W/F: Akers Flock: Pekin drake CH HVY W/F: Akers Flock: Pekin drake RES HVY W/F: Akers Flock: Rouen duck CH LGT W/F: K. Collins: White Indian Runner drake RES LGT W/F: Akers Flock: Buff Orpington duck CH BTM W/F: A. Beaty: White Mallard duck RES BTM W/F: R. Allman: Saxony duck CH STD LGT S/F: P. Jones: White Silkie ckl. RES STD LGT: I. Askew:- White Leghorn hen CH S/F BTM: I. Askew: Australorp plt. RES S/F BTM: G. Coates: White Leghorn plt. CH H/F BTM: A. Fraser: OEG Grey cock RES H/F BTM: N. Ironside: OEG Grey ckl. CH JUNIOR: Rohan Verma. Std. RIR R.C plt. RES JUNIOR: Grace Scott: Btm Australorp plt. EGGS. Kath Macklin: Waterfowl eggs

Journal awards: Modern Game 19 entries Ch. S. Ford Res. N. Ironside Pekin 16 entries Ch. & Res. Bjorksten Family Faverolles 16 entries Ch. And Res. J. Damiano Waterfowl 19 entries Ch. A. Beaty Res. L. Edgley Junior Ch. Rohan Verma Res. Grace Scott

Gippsland Riviera & Game Club

Annual Show *** 28-7-2019

Judges Brian Bennett (Tas) and Trevor Dent (S.A.) Entries 350

Comments: Thank you to all exhibitors that attended the Maffra Poultry Show. We have so much gratitude for our wonderful sponsorship from Meagan at GREEN VALLEY GRAINS for supplying each junior with a showbag and feed/grain vouchers for other exhibitors who attended on this great day. Big thanks to our stewards, volunteering helpers and kitchen staff for all their amazing efforts in creating a great day to bring like minded people and an outstanding array of birds together in one place.

CH BIRD IN SHOW: Irene Askew: Btm OEG Duckwing ckl. RES BIRD IN SHOW: Val Bragg: Blk/rd Aust Game plt. CH H/F: Irene Askew: btm OEG Duckwing ckl. RES H/F: Val Bragg: Black Red Aust Game plt. CH S/F: Irene Askew: White Leghorn plt. RES S/F: Irene Askew: Black Australorp plt. CH W/F: Kevin Collins: White Indian Runner duck RES W/F: Allman & Stanbridge: Bantam Saxony CH HVY S/F: C. & J. Anderson: Black Langshan plt. RES HVY S/F: Kevin Collins: Black Australorp plt. CH STD S/F LGT: Irene Askew: White Leghorn plt. RES STD S/F LGT: Irene Askew: Slv Spangled Hamburgh ckl. CH BTM HVY S/F: Irene Askew: Blk Australorp plt. RES BTM HVY S/F: Irene Askew: Blk Langshan hen CH BTM LGT S/F: Irene Askew: Blk Rosecomb ckl. RES BTM LGT S/F: Jacklyn Robinson: Silver Sebright plt. CH RARE BREED: Val Bragg: Blk/rd Aust. Game plt. RES RARE BREED: Allman & Stanbridge: Saxony btm duck CH BTM MOD GAME: Lindsay Fulford: Brown/rd hen RES BTM MOD GAME: Irene Askew: Pile hen CH OEG: Irene Askew: Duckwing D/L ckl. RES OEG: Irene Askew: Black/Red L.L. ckl. CH AOV H/F: Lindsay Fulford: Aust. Pit Game plt. RES AOV H/F: Lindsay Fulford: Aust Pit Game CH LGT H/F: Val Bragg: Blue/Red OEG plt RES LGT H/F: Val Bragg: Aust Pit Game plt. CH HVY H/F: Val Bragg: Blk Red Aust Game plt. RES HVY H/F: Wayne Peachey: Aust Pit Game plt. CH BTM W/F: Allman & Stanbridge: Saxony duck RES BTM W/F: C. & J. Anderson: Call duck CH LGT W/F: Kevin Collins: White Indian Runner duck RES LGT W/F: Kevin Collins: White Indian Runner drake CH HVY W/F: Gaggles of Geese: Roman Tufted gander RES HVY W/F: Gaggles of Geese: White Toulouse gander CH. JUNIOR: Wyatt Welch: Pile Mod Game hen RES JUNIOR: Kade Hands: Black Australorp plt. CH JNR S/F: William Peachey: Silver Laced Wyandotte plt. RES JNR S/F: Lucas & Lily Fulford: Buff Orpington ckl. CH JNR W/F: Hailey Corbett-Hall: Cayuga young duck

Page 20. Colac Agricultural Show

CH BIRD IN SHOW: Norman Ironside: Std. OEG Gold Duckwing male RES BIRD IN SHOW: Graham Kemp: Btm OEG Blue tailed Wheaten. Ch. Junior : Noah Clark

Colac Poultry Club

Annual Show *** 16-6-2019

CH BIRD IN SHOW: Laughlin Park RES BIRD IN SHOW: Kane Davies CH BTM H/F: Kahlie Sciberras RES BTM H/F: Ian Nash CH STD S/F: Steve Brown RES STD S/F: Kevin Collins CH STD H/F: Pyke & Nash RES STD H/F: Pyke & Nash CH S/F BTM: Laughlin Park RES S/F BTM: Kane Davies CH W/F: Kevin Collins RES W/F: Luke Dowling CH JUNIOR: Jacob Canning

Journal awards: Modern Game 12 entries Ch. & Res K. Sciberras Pekin 16 entries Ch. E. Hicks Res. L. Malishev Faverolles 16 entries Ch. & Res. J. Damiano. Junior Ch. Jacob Canning

HOW THE CHICK GROWS

Stages in Development

The period between putting the egg into the incubator and taking the chick out 21 days later is not just a calendar period. A lot happens within the egg during that time.

Few people realise how soon the basic rudiments of organs are laid down in an embryo. The front part of a chick develops much more rapidly than the back part. By the twentieth hour of incubation there has been formed the central rod of the backbone, the tube which becomes the spinal cord of the nervous sys- tem and a groove which below opens into the yolk but which will become the gut of the chick. Behind, these are still being differentiated from the cellular layers and so continue for several more days .

By the thirty fourth hour the head region has been folded off the yolk (with a fore gut inside it), a heart has formed with several main blood vessels leading to it and from it. It is not beating yet because the cells are not yet fully muscular and no complete channel of circulation has developed. A number of rudiments have been separated off called segments which later give rise to the vertebrae and the muscles of the back. The front end of the nerve tube has swollen into the three primary cavities of the brain.

During the next forty hours the embryo turns over on to its left side, starting with the head, the heart starts to beat, the brain becomes complex, eyes and internal ears develop, gill slits form and open and many seg- ments are added. The whole embryo becomes constricted off the yolk surface, except for the yolk stalk, and is covered by a fold of tissue called the amnion, which grows up from above the surface of the yolk.

On the fourth day limb buds appear as collection of cells which will later differentiate into bone and mus- cle. From the hind-gut, formed as the hind part of the body is raised above the yolk, there grows out a sac, the allantois. This grows at an enormous rate so that much of the space inside the eggshell, not occu- pied by the embryo, yolk or air sac, is filled with it.

By the seventh day the chick is recognisably a bird. Head, neck, body and tail are distinct regions, limbs are divided into their various parts, gill slits have closed, mouth and beak are clearly defined. The blood circulation over the yolk is widespread. Since the embryo is a little under one inch in length and about half an inch broad, candling can be effective. Before, the small size and the diffusion of light by the shell makes the production of a recognizable shadow extremely doubtful. Bone is not present in the skeleton until the ninth day (in the skull), but the cartilage which precedes it is sufficiently thick by the seventh day to help with the shadow.

Abridged from an article first published in Australasian Poultry World 1/9/1939

Page 21.. Breeding and Management of Geese

Geeses are the hardiest of all domesticated poultry, eating an enormous amount of grass and herbage, and in districts where there is a good rainfall to keep the grass green most of the year, very little extra feeding is necessary for stock birds. Geese live, thrive and produce for many years. The writer has in the past kept all the popular varieties with profit, even breeding from females over ten years old, mated to younger males.

The very mention of “” makes one think of old England and the Christmas festival, also of the story when geese saved Rome, by acting sentinel, giving alarm at night when the enemy approached.

In comparison with other domesticated stock, the general management of geese is very simple, but on the other hand their requirements are such that only folk who have access to grazing land can keep them prof- itably, and then the profits are high, probably higher than other grazers, and returns quicker.

Although all poultry are in some measure grass eaters, the goose is a persistent grazer, and unless there is a sufficiency of their natural food, the cost of keeping stock birds all year round, and rearing goslings for Christmas trade is increased out of proportion to the marketable return.

The quality of the green food is an influencing factor, and although these birds prefer a rich succulent pas- ture land, they will live and thrive on rough grassland, which would fail to support any other farm stock. (goats excepted).

If land is not overstocked with geese they will not ful it to the detriment of other farm animals, but will help to eradicate many undesirable weeds, such as wild poppies, onion grass etc.

In stocking up the farm with geese it is well to study the varieties and their habits, for the more swan-like they are, the more they need swamplands, for they delight in aquatic plants and marshy roots; this applies somewhat to the Chinese Goose heareafter described.

Some extent of swimming water is an advantage, although not absolutely necessary swimming exercise maintains health and cleanliness, and improves fertility, but not to the same extent as ducks, a dip once a day will suffice. The writer has proved by experience that waterfowl that have access to water live longer and are twice as fertile as those without it. Of course this applies to stock birds and not the fatteners, for swimming exercise creates muscle, not flesh.

The housing of geese should not be mixed up with othr poultry. It will be apparent that birds so large re- quire plenty of room, not necessarily high, but dry, airy, free from draughts and supplied with a little bed- ding, which should be renewed more often in winter time than in summer, otherwise there will be bad odours, which even hardy birds can’t stand. The building can be any shape and quite open (wire netted) on the east-side.

Geese nearly always return to their quatrs after the days grazing, but if they wander far in the stubbles, all that is required is to start them off in the direction of home, and if fully feathered they will probably use their wings to aid locomotion. When safely in quarters the door should be closed, to keep out dogs and foxes, for although geese are equipped with powerful biting apparatus, the fox is very sly and quick.

Breeding stock should always be selected from fully matured and well grown birds, the gander to be unrelated. To make sure of the latter, it is well to use an Embden Gander with a Toulouse Goose; with this system there is better fertility. Of course, if breeding for pure exhibition purposes, or supplying stud stock, crosses must not be the order. Whatever system is used, always select birds with long, deep bodies and wide breasts, for geese are reared only for roasters, and a good slice off the breast is what’s wanted.

Geese should begin laying not later than July in Victoria, so as to hatch them out by the end of August, so you have young stock, at from 14 to 16 weeks old, ready for the Christmas trade. Old geese are tough, and keeping them over 16 weeks old only depreciates the values. This can be truly stated of all poultry– never keep them until they become stagy - better to sell on the “young side”.

Page 22.. Geese will nest in any old corner, but a large box without a floor, and the opening not showing from front of quarter makes for quietness and cosiness, which is essential for a good hatch. Place some pine needles inside the box and the sitter will do the rest by lining her nest with breast feathers, making for warmth and comfort for the goslings.

The period of incubation is 28-30 days, but some wild varieties take longer. If the weather is dry and the goose has no access to a bath, sprinkle warm water around the nest, and the warmth of the sitter will draw moisture to the eggs. If the parent stock is o.k. no outside assistance is necessary when hatching, but sometimes an egg shell is over-thick or tough, and a little help from the midwife will facilitate matters.

If grass is not handy to the nest, just a little grain once a day when off the nest will keep the sitter strong and help warmth; in fact, by removing her at the same time for two or three days, she will automatically look for this food and water and at the same time excrete, and thus not foul the nest. This lifting off the nest carefully daily at the same time applies particularly to Turkey hens and fowls.

Goslings are the easiest to rear of all poultry; just confine them for the first few days in a lawn-like grass run, with their mother, and give a little crumbly mash three times a day and some water, and after a week they can run with the flock. A good mash is two parts pollard, one part bran, one oatmeal, moistened with a little milk - the early morning feed warm if weather is cold - but don’t forget a supply of course sand is needed. Although good results are obtained from grass feeding of the flock, a little mash first thing and a little grain last thing in the evening in- creases size and keeps the birds in bounds.

There are many types of geese in Australia, but the most popular are the common, Toulouse, Embden and Chinese. These four have proved their utilitarian uses to a higher degree than others.

The Common Goose is the one mostly seen by the roadside, and is grey, grey and white and white, and is just a hardy common bird, probably produced by crosses of the Grey-lag wild goose, Toulouse and Embden.

The Toulouse originated in Southern France, round about the town of Toulouse, hence the name. The Toulouse apart from its colour, differ from other geese, as it has a dewlap, a fold of loose skin from the underpart of the gul- let, without which is a sign of impurity. The colour is grey on top, merging into white on the underpants, showing white lacing on the wings and thighs. Bill fleshy red, feet and legs bright orange. The body is large compact and full, back convex shaped, having keel, with body near the ground, wings large and strong, tail short and close. In a general way the largest variety of goose.

The usual practice is to mate Embden Ganders with Toulouse females for quick growing progeny. The goose usually lays twice in the season, averaging about 15 eggs each time.

The Embden undoubtably came from Westphalia round about the town of Embden. The Embden claims hardiness and quick growth, and is more extensively grown in England and America than any other variety, being white fleshed. The characteristic colour is spotless white, any coloured feathers show impurity of strain. Body long broad and deep, closely feathered with neck feathers more or less in ridges. Up and down. Head long and straight, bill short and stout, neck rather long, gracefully carried in a curve. Tail straight out and close. Carriage somewhat upright. Bill, legs and feet orange colour, eyes light blue. Lays more eggs than a Toulouse and is a better mother, have been known to attain over 30lb in weight, so need strong legs.

The Chinese known as the knobbed Goose, is smaller than those already mentioned, and is the greatest layer and most docile of all our geese. Starts to lay young quite young and often has four broods in 12 months. They love the water and its weeds, and require freedom of movement. Their flesh is of a delicious, game-like flavour, and goslings are very easily fattened. In shape both the white and grey are the same; the white has an orange bill and legs, and grey brownish bill and legs. The neck long and slender with a knob at base of the bill; the neck of the grey is furnished with a brown stripe along the back. Legs Longish, carriage graceful and active. It would pay to keep as a layer, as it has been known to lay in weight as much as an average hen.

Whatever breed of geese is considered, the male has a longer neck, bigger head, slightly more upright carriage, is always in the lead of the flock, is generally between his flock and a stranger or perceived danger. Doesn’t feather as soon as the female, has a higher shriller note, and carries his head more erect.

Members should consult the Australian Poultry Standards for current breed requirements.

Abridged from an article written by E. Lillywhite, originally published in Australasian Poultry World.

Page 23.. A Very Merry Christmas

and a Safe Happy

Healthy and Prosperous

New Year.

Page 24..