Orpingtons in International E^^ Layin;* Contests 



D. E. Hale 



THE following contests that are generally spoken of 

 as the Australian contests, have demonstrated some 

 interesting facts, and one is, that the Orpingtons 

 are a great all-around fowl, a fine winter layer and one of 

 the most profitable breeds that have been entered in the 

 contests. 



The second annual contest which was held at Hawkes- 

 bury Agricultural College, N. S. Wales, 1903-04, was won 

 by a pen of S. L. Wyandottes with an average of 218 eggs 

 each. 



Black Orpingtons were ^ecrmd, with an average of 

 212 1-3 eggs each. There were 14 pens of Black Orpingtons 

 entered, which laid 14,118 eggs, or an average of 168 3-42 

 eggs per fowl. 



The third annual contest held 1904-05, at the same 

 place, was again won by the S. L. Wyandottes, while the 

 Black Orpingtons stood fifth. 



The Wyandottes laid 1224 eggs or an average of 204 

 eggs each. The Orpingtons laid 1155 eggs or an average 

 of 1921/^ eggs each. ' 



There were 18 pen^ r.f iilack Orpingtons entered, 

 which laid 17,224 eggs, or an average of 158 13-17 eggs 

 each. 



There were 10 pons of Buff Orpingtons, which laid 

 8677 eggs, or an average of 144 37-60 eggs each. 



For the three months winter test, the Black Orping- 

 tons stood third and were also third, for the market value 

 of eggs for the 12 months. 



The reports show that the weather throughout the 

 rainy season was exceptionally bad, keeping the ground 

 soaked most of the time, causing very damp, chilly, dis- 

 agreeable conditions. 



The fourth annual contest was held at the same place, 

 190S-06, the Single Comb White Leghorns winning first 

 prize, with an average of 235 1-6 eggs each, a grand record 

 for that time. The Black Orpingtons won eighth place in 



BLAPK 0RPIN{3TCiXS, EXTERED BY MR. W. WILD, 

 I..-\KE ALBERT. 



Winners of Second Prize for ureuli-sl number (1,274) of eggs 

 laid during the twelve muntiis at the Second International Twelve 

 Months' Laving competition, llaukfsbuiy Agricultural College, 

 April, in03-March, is04. Eighth Prize for flist six months (winter); 

 and Fifth Prize for market value. 



Australian Egg-laying Contest 

 The year before, two parts corn, to one part wheat 

 was fed, among other feeds, and during this third contest, 

 there was two parts wheat to one part corn fed, thereby 

 demonstrating that corn is a better food for egg produc- 

 tion, than it has been given credit. 



TYPICAL LAYING HEN 

 One of the Australian Egg-laying Con- 

 test Black Orpington winners that aver- 

 aged 177 eges per hen during the 1908-09 

 contest. A typical hen from Mr. Wild's pen. 



this contest, the winning pen laying 1188 eggs, or an aver- 

 age of 196 eggs each. 



There were 19 pens of Black Orpingtons, that laid 

 18,011 eggs, or an average of 157 113-114 eggs each; a 

 pretty fair average for 114 fowls. 



There were 5 pens of Buff Orpingtons entered, that 

 laid 4,727 eggs, or an average of 157 17-30 eggs 

 each. 



The general utility prize, open to hens averaging 

 at least 6 pounds in weight and laying eggs averag- 

 ing not less than 24 ounces per dozen, was won by 

 the Black Orpingtons. 



While it was a grand honor to win the laying 

 contest, it is also a great honor to win the general 

 utility prize, for it is the general utility fowl that is 

 in demand today. 



The reports of the fifth annual contest held 

 1906-07, and the sixth annual contest held 1907-08, we 

 have been unable to get. 



The seventh annual contest for 1908-09 ended as 

 follows: White Leghorns laid the most eggs, namely, 

 1,379, or an average of 229 5-6 eggs each. The S. C. 

 Black Orpingtons were second with 1,288 eggs or an 

 a\erage of 214-2-3 eggs each. 



There were eleven pens of Black Orpingtons 

 entered in the contest and four pens of White Orp- 

 ingtons. The average number of eggs laid by the 

 Blacks were a fraction over 177 eggs per hen. The 

 Whites averaged a fraction over 115 eggs each. 



The highest number of eggs laid in one month was 

 laid by a pen of Black Orpingtons, 159 eggs, or an aver- 

 age of 26!/2 eggs per hen, a wonderful record for one 

 month. The Black Orpingtons made the largest net profit 

 per hen as they laid the best, when eggs were high. 



