Dec2013_NORTH PINE POULTRY CLUB NEWS
The North Pine Poultry Club (NPPC) is a network of members who are interested in learning about breeding, raising and exhibiting poultry. The education and conservation of pure breeds of poultry is of a high priority and much excitement surrounds next year’s upcoming Annual Show in Dayboro on May 18th. More surprises were unveiled at our November meeting in Dayboro.
Expert poultry fancier and judge, Len Web was guest speaker with two rare poultry breeds on show; a large hard feather Malay rooster and attractive white-faced black Spanish hen, thought to be the oldest breed of fowl in the Mediterranean class. British records date back to 1572. While Len explained characteristics unique to these breeds, the Malays tall, long legged stature was a jaw dropper for the crowd. This hard feathered old breed arrived in England from Asia, possibly as early as 1883. One of the game fowl, originally used for cock fighting, the Malay is quite pugnacious around other roosters. Conversely, the very attractive soft feather black Spanish hen (see photo) is a gentle bird with strong egg laying tendencies giving pure white eggs.
Tips and tricks for healthy poultry
– Chopped lavender in nesting boxes will keep mites away.
– A crushed garlic clove in drinking water or chopped in the feed will strengthen immunity.
– Are your chooks sneezing? Feeding them Nasturtiums will help.
– Rose petals fed to hens will give them a hand to lay eggs.
– Want better looking legs, then lucerne pellets increases yellowing to please the judges.
If you want to know more, then come along to the next meeting and order your copy of “Your Poultry”, by Len Web (Ed.) currently being published and available in 2014.
Len Web can be contacted via the club or at the Caboolture markets on Sundays where he sells many different breeds of poultry to the public.
NEXT MEETING:
Saturday 18th January, 2014
CWA Hall, Delaney St., Dayboro at 10.00 a.m
All welcome.
