10 June, 1918.] Report on Egg-layiyig Competition. 



323 



The value of the tests at Burnley cannot be over-estimated. The 

 Aveekly reports showing the results obtained in the several sections are 

 read with interest by poultry-breeders, and the final figures are always 

 waited for Avith very great interest. Eecords made at Burnley are of 

 special interest to those interested in egg production, for the competi- 

 tions, being carried out under the supervision of Government officials, 

 the figures are unhesitatingly accepted as correct; and big prices have 

 been paid, both in the Commonwealth and overseas, for birds that have 

 been prominent in the tests. 



It may be claimed for the competitions that they have done much 

 to improve the laying qualities of fowls generally. If the figures of 

 the last competition be compared with those of previous years, it will 

 be seen that there has been an improvement in the quantity of eggs 



Ideal Single Testing Shed at Burnley. 



obtained, not only from the birds in the individual tests, but also from 

 those entered in the pen competitions. This latter result is even more 

 satisfactory than the establishment of a world's record by one bird, for 

 the improvement shown in the several pens entered is bound to be 

 reflected in the thousands of flocks throughout the State. 



On comparing the returns from birds fed on different foods and kept 

 under different conditions, it will be noticed that the best total average 

 performance was made by single-pen birds. The highest number of 

 eggs from a single fowl was also obtained from a single-pen bird. The 

 average production from the whole of the single-pen birds of all varieties 

 was slightly over 200 eggs per bird for the eleven months over which the 

 competitions extended. The best results were yielded by Black Orping- 

 tons, 39 of which gave an average return of 211 each. The breed 

 giving second-best results was the White Leghorn (Wet Mash Section), 



Iz 



