VARIOUS

February 2015

Part 1b

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Did you know there is also a constellation named Columba, which name is Latin for dove? Columba is a small, faint constellation created in the late sixteenth century. It is located just south of Canis Major and Lepus. Columba was created in 1592 by the Flemish astronomer Petrus Plancius, who was also cartographer, one of the founders of the Dutch East India Company and clergyman. He named the constellation Columba Noachi (Noah's Dove), referring to the dove that gave Noah the information that the Great Flood was receding. The names of Plancius's are mostly referring to animals and subjects described in natural history books and travellers' journals of his day. Columba was first shown as a separate constellation in 1592 on a celestial hemisphere that Plancius tucked into the corner of his first great terrestrial map. It flies behind Argo Navis, the ship. To complete this Biblical tableau, Plancius even renamed Argo as Noah’s Ark on a globe of 1613. However, those familiar with the story of Argo might instead think of Columba as the dove sent by the Argonauts between the sliding doors of the Clashing Rocks to ensure their safe passage.

The constellation’s brightest s t a r, third- Alpha Columbae, is called Phact, from an Arabic name meaning ‘ring dove’.

With our thanks to Ian Ridpath, Startales, http://www.ianridpath.com/

Illustration: Columba with an olive branch in its beak as shown in the Uranographia of Johann Bode (1801). Allerlei-emaille schildjes met duiven

Drawing from: Urania's Mirror - a view of the Heavens, 1824. Source: Wikipedia. Press report

Book these dates in your diary!

13, 14 and 15 November 2015

28th EUROPEAN SHOW This held in Metz, France

Read all about it on http://www.metz2015.fr/en/

More details will be published here as they come to hand.

DUMMY EGGS By Mick Bassett (Germany)

Dummy eggs are used to encourage birds to start laying eggs. Place fake eggs in an empty nest to help birds come into breeding condition. Other reasons to use dummy eggs: They can help discourage chickens from eating eggs. They can be used to test a broody hen. They are also used to stop birds laying too many eggs. Replace unwanted real eggs with fake eggs to stop birds continually laying eggs and using up their calcium reserves.

The so called 'Pot' (Clay) eggs are not recommended as not easy to disinfect, unless heavily glazed. Even then heavy plastic eggs are preferred as easier to clean and also cheaper to buy.

Dummy eggs are available in different sizes, so are suitable for pigeons, parrots, chickens, bantams and such. Birds will usually not notice a slight size or colour difference.

Right: Dummy pigeon eggs, the upper two are dummy chicken eggs. Photo Mick Bassett.

advertisement 20th Pigeon Spring Exchange Expo Houten - NL 7 & 8 March 2015

A visit to Europe's one and only Spring Exchange is really worthwhile! It’s the starting shot of the new season. You will see the latest developments in pigeon sport in a nice and cosy atmosphere.

Expectations for this 20TH JUBILEE SHOW:

• More than 250 trade stands at Europe’s first and biggest Spring Exchange in Holland! • For this festive show an extra hall with 1,000 square meters will be added! • Live music in Hall 3. • 130 Pigeon Sport Trade stands, 20 to 30 stands with Fancy Pigeons and over 100 pigeon trade stands. • Accredited pigeon clinics. • All pigeon sport products are available. • A friendly and cosy set up, with plenty of catering. • Approximately 10.000 visitors from all over Europe.

Location: Expo Center, Meidoorn kade 24, 3992 AE, Houten Houten is near the city of Utrecht, in the centre of Holland, in only one hour by car from Antwerp and even within one hour to German border! Within easy reach (A27 Utrecht - Breda)

Opening Hours: Saturday 9.00 - 17.00 ~ Sunday 9.00 - 15.00

Admission fee: €10,- per person. Children up to 12 old for free! Free parking

More information: http://www.proffsport.nl/

DECORATED EGG

Many Poultry and Agricultural Shows in Great Britain have classes for ‘painted’ or ‘decorated’ eggs. There is even a standard for these.

We don’t know if this is also practised in other countries, but in the Nether- lands it is not. At least not as a competition. So the editors are always pleasantly surprised to see the ‘art work’ on the photos provided by Rupert Stephenson and Tim Daniels. This fine piece is a decorated Ostrich egg and won First Prize at the 2014 National Poultry Show of Great Britain.

Does your Show also provide egg classes for decorated eggs? Your photos are welcome at [email protected]

Photo: Rupert Stephenson.

WEIRD COMB

This photo of a rooster with a weird comb was sent to us by Hristo Lukanov from Bulgaria.

This is a white Leghorn rooster, commercial type (Lohmann LSL Classic). The breed is known to have a huge comb, and it is a positive trait for the hens to have a lopped comb, falling over on one side. The comb of the rooster is even larger, however, his comb must be straight and upright.

Well, this rooster of Hristo seems to wear his comb like a pretty red elf’s hat!

This is not a ‘first choice rooster’ for the breeding pen.

Photo: Hristo Lukanov. Advertisement

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Please visit our website for further information http://www.stalzegwaard.nl/index_english.html CAMELINA, BIOFUEL OR CHICKEN FOOD?

Camelina (C. Sativa) usually known in English as gold-of-pleasure or false flax, also occasionally wild flax, linseed dodder, German sesame, and Siberian oilseed is found, wild or cultivated, in almost all regions of Europe and almost all other parts of the world.

It has been traditionally cultivated as an oilseed crop to produce vegetable oil, but lately the breeding potential is unexplored compared to other oilseeds grown commercially around the world.

Recently one started growing more camelina for its potential as a biofuel, but it is now also being researched for human food due to its exceptionally high levels (up to 45%) of omega-3, which is uncommon in vegetable sources. Over 50% of the fatty acids in cold- pressed camelina oil are polyunsaturated and the oil is also very rich in natural antioxidants. The latest use of camelina is as an ingredient (up to 10% of the ration) in broiler chicken feed and laying hen feed. Camelina meal, the by-product of camelina when the oil has been extracted, has a significant crude protein content. Due to its high concentration of Omega-3 oils the meal has been shown to produce increased Omega-3 fatty acid concentration in the meat of the broiler chickens – making it a great source of high quality feed.

Both the seeds and the meal can be used as animal feed.

Sources: www.worldpoultry.net

Inagro vzw Belgium https://leden.inagro.be/DNN_DropZone/ Publicaties/306/flyer_deder.pdf

Wikipedia

Foto’s met dank aan Inagro vzw.

HOLIDAY PHOTOS . . .

Hristo Lukanov from Bulgaria sent us these photos, taken on the 31th of December last year, in Thessaloniki Greece, with many ‘street pigeons’ on the antique Triumphal Arch. This triumphal arch was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Galerius. Pigeons are always looking for minerals and little stones. The bricks of the ruins are an ideal source of minerals, because these stones pulverize continuously due to erosion, rain, sun and wind, so their food is abundant here.

Did you too take photos of poultry or pigeons during your holidays abroad? Please do send them to us! [email protected] !