Arizona republican., 1922-01-01

with the front open for about one
half the heighth, thus affording
plenty of fresh air without any
draught. For the summer months
the space under the roosts may pc
opened for greater circulation OF
fresh air, avoiding the creation Oh
a draught over the roosting birds.
Yarding arrangements, questions OF
feeding and other incidental details
cannot be adequately discussed in
an article which is only intended to
touch in a general way on a few
points connected with the industry.
Adequate housing, unusual clean
liness and proper feeding are ele-
ments which much receive constant
attention in this climate. Vermin
such as blue bugs, mites and lice
flourish here perhaps mere than
elsewhere and must be regularly and
systematically fought. AS to the
breeds to be raised, the general opin-
ion is that practically all the va
rieties can be kept here under the
proper conditions. The only one OF
which any doubts seem expressed
are the Cochins, whose heavy plu-
mage on the thighs and shanks may
prevent the birds from doing we'll
here in the warm weather. There
are no Cochin flocks in the valley as
far as known, so the question can
not be determined at this writing.
otherwise it seems to be just mat
ter of personal choice of the poultry
man, the selection of the breed de-
pending upon the nature of the mar
ket sought:
Need Higher Standard
While there are some fine flocks
in the valley and many individual
specimens OF high enough quality
to compete with the best anywhere,
the general average is not up to the
standard we should set for ourselves,
backed by our natural advantages Of
climate and soil. Only pure bred
chickens lay and pay sufficiently to
warrant keeping them, unless 1t Is
a matter of indifference as to how
many eggs are obtained and at what
cost, A pure bred flock of layers
should average at least 130 to 150
eggs per bird per annum, as against
| a So 70 rs egg average for the ordl-
nry barnyard flock, not receiving the
proper egg making elements in their
| feed and not possessing the virillty
| to lay many more If they did.
1t is hoped that arrangements can
be made next fall for the distrib-
ution OF a considerable number of
| high class, pure bred cockerels all
| throughout the county. The plan
! contemplates the selection and the
purchase of cockerels of the various
breeds by a committee appointed for
the purpose and the resale at nom
inal advance in price to cover the
| handling and other expenses OF the
| committee, as to many local poul-
trymen as can be induced to strength
| en- their flocks in this manner. BY
this method some worth while stand
ard breeding stock can be distrib-
uted through the valley, the birds
to be obtained only from responsible
and recognized breeders.
Monthly Meetings
To make the monthly meetings OF
the Maricopa County Poultry asso-
citation of more practical benefit, II
has been decided to set aside 8
portion of each one of the next five
monthly meetings as a sort OF poul-
try institute, covering certain breeds
each month. Addresses will be made
by the best qualified local breeders
of the several varieties OF the diff
ferent breeds. The meetings will be
held on specified dates at the Phoe-
nix Chamber of Commerce on the
second Saturday of the month, be-
ginning at o'clock sharp. The fol
lowing program has been arranged
Saturday, Jan. 14-Leghorns.
Saturday Feb. plymouth Rock
Saturday, March 11-Minorcas anc
Anconas.
Saturday, April s--Rhode Island
Whites ard Brahmas.
Saturday, May 13-Orpingtons and
Wyandottes.
|. -----O----@
Tom Anderson of Chandler. Ari