Club Contacts. Patron: Dr. James Harris. President Deanne Lance. Mobile: Secretary Jill Weaver

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2 Club Contacts Patron: Dr. James Harris President Deanne Lance Mobile: Secretary Jill Weaver Publicity Officer Judi Walker Exchange Steward & Website Officer Isaac Walker Mobile: Club Website

3 Important Dates Sunday the 3rd of June - General meeting, starting at 10:00 at the Poultry Pavilion in the Royal Hobart Showgrounds, Glenorchy. Sunday the 8th of July - General meeting, starting at 10:00 at the Poultry Pavilion in the Royal Hobart Showgrounds, Glenorchy. [Last meeting before Rare Breeds show and auction weekend] Saturday the 25th of August - Annual Tasmanian rare breeds poultry show. Judges are mainlanders Graeme Hoph and Ray Hall. Cash prizes will be up for grabs for major prizes, with Turkey s and Malay Game as the featured rare breeds. Show schedule and entry forms will be available closer to the date. Sunday the 26th of August - Annual Rare Breeds Club poultry auction, an auction of purebred poultry hosted by the club. Auction schedule and entry forms will be available closer to the date. Featured Breeds Club members voted at the meeting on the 1st of April on the clubs featured breeds this year and it has been decided that the featured breeds for the upcoming annual rare breeds show will be Turkey s (all purebred forms) and Malay Game (both bantam and large). Cash prizes for Champion Turkey and Champion Malay Game will be up for grabs at the show. The Malay Game is also the clubs overall feature breed this year, and will feature on club merchandise, such as badges.

4 The Aims and Objectives of the Club The aims and objectives of the Tasmanian Rare Breeds Poultry Club are: To promote rare breeds of poultry to the general public and to encourage those that keep poultry to consider keeping pure bred rare breeds. To increase the number of rare breeds exhibited at poultry shows through the sponsorship of rare breed classes and provision of trophies and awards. To increase the number of junior fanciers exhibiting rare breeds at poultry shows through the sponsorship of junior trophies and awards for rare breeds. To increase interest in rare breeds and discussion among existing poultry breeders by distributing a regular newsletter to interested poultry clubs, members and other organisations. To make rare breeds easier to obtain by maintaining a registry of birds wanted and for sale through a designated exchange steward. To assist in maintaining the genetic diversity of domestic poultry for future generations To provide a pathway for new and existing rare breeds to be recognised in the Australian Poultry Standards. James M. Harris, B.S. D.V.M Mayfair Veterinary Clinic 2 Russell Crescent Sandy Bay 7005 Phone: Birds Reptiles Exotics Pocket Pets Aviary consultations Wildlife rehabilitations

5 THE JAPANESE BANTAM A pair of mottled Japanese with their chicks. The Japanese bantam was developed centuries ago from various Malaysian breeds. Their origins dating back when their prime purpose was to serve as live ornaments in the beautifully landscaped gardens of wealthy Japanese families. In some lower economic families the male bird was considered sacred. It is thought the birds first arrived in Japan from China in the early 1600 s. In Japan they are referred to as Chabo meaning dwarf, chabo is also an old Japanese name for South East Asia. They are thought to have reached the UK in the 1860 s and the first Japanese bantam club was formed in They are a true bantam, having no larger counterpart. The Japanese bantam carries a lethal gene. This gene gives them their very short leg. The gene is lethal in double doses. Embryos that receive the shortlegged gene from both parents will invariably die in the shell. Overall 25% of embryos receive the lethal double dose of the short-legged gene; 50% receive one short-legged gene and one normal gene and will hatch as short-legged birds. The remaining 25% will receive a double dose of the long- legged gene and will therefore develop long legs. If two such birds were mated their offspring would likewise have long legs.

6 Japanese bantams are not recommended as a beginner s bird as it is a difficult breed to maintain good type. Body shape is very important; only ten points out of a hundred is given for colour. The Japanese bantam often appears to be sitting because of their very short legs. They carry their wings low to the ground and will drag them along the ground at various times. Their tail is carried straight up or tipped forward slightly; they are the only breed where a squirrel tail is allowed, (that is the tail can be carried over the back of the head.) The body must appear U- shaped along the back, rather than appear to have a long back. Roosters can hide this fault with their swished forward tail and saddle and hackle feathers. The cock birds also have a very large comb, which usually appears to have a rough texture. The comb on the hen will be nowhere near as large, but it should still be prominent; it can drop a little to one side, but must remain straight up on the males. A blue grey (blue silver birchen) Japanese cockerel.

7 Because of their design and the way they present themselves they are very susceptible to cold and wet conditions. They get dirty easily and wet easily. This leads to pneumonia and diseases that are soil borne. The combs on the roosters are also prone to frost bite. They come in a range of colours and also different feather types, being normal, silkie-feathered or frizzle-feathered. The most popular colour amongst the dedicated show breeders is black tailed white, but there are many, many other colours including buff, blue, white, black, birchen, mottled and the list goes on. So what we now have is a little bird with a big personality strutting around the yard with long tail up, chest pushed out, wings down thinking he is invincible! A silver grey (silver birchen) Japanese rooster.

8 FESTIVAL DAY On Sunday March 25th I went to the Penguin Sustainable Living Festival It was situated in a small valley towards the back of Penguin. Originally it was to be the first weekend in March but it was rained out. The day was glorious, no wind, few clouds, just a mild autumn day. I couldn t tell you the crowd numbers or how many stalls. The Tasmanian Rare Breeds Poultry Club stall was right at the back of the set-up. I was put there so the poultry would have plenty of shade! There was no shortage of that; we (the chooks and I) didn t get the sun all day. I have made two requests of the organisers for next year: 1. some sun please, and 2. some level ground. One disadvantage of running a stall on one s own is you can t walk away so I didn t get to see how many stalls there were and what the rest of the festival went like. I could hear some clapping periodically and there appeared to be plenty of people walking around. The public started arriving at 9 a.m. and continued right through to 4 p.m. The Rare Breeds Club stall. The stand was very successful, with many people coming to look at the fowls on display and ask questions, heaps of questions of every sort from what part of the world they come from to what they eat! I took four birds; it was all I had room for. I took a jungle fowl, silver pencilled Wyandotte, New Hampshire and a lavender guinea fowl.

9 FESTIVAL DAY Continued from previous page The guinea fowl captured a lot of attention with most people not having seen one before. Next the Wyandotte received the most comments on her unusual colouring. An artist sat for over half an hour and did some sketches and the Wyandotte was also photographed for some magazine. The information packages sold well. One mug was purchased by a lady to send to her sister in England; another for a birthday present. The banner was commented on by several people and it did promote the site with many people wondering what breeds were being displayed on the banner, including me! All in all the day was very worthwhile with a goodly monetary turn over and a lot of information given out to the general public. We have been invited back next year and all going well we may be bigger and better. Other stalls at the event. - Jill weaver, Secretary

10 Q: Why did the chicken run across the road? A: There was a car coming. Q: Why did the chicken cross the road? A: To prove to the possum that it could actually be done.

11 Colour In A... Hen and her chicks.

12 Spot the Difference - Answers. Answers to last newsletters Spot The Difference.

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14 TASMANIAN RARE BREEDS POULTRY CLUB INC. MEMBERSHIP FORM Thank you for applying to join the TRBPC Inc. Please complete this form and post it with your payment money order or cheque made out to Tasmanian Rare Breeds Poultry Club Inc. to 10 Ferny Bridge Road, Sprent 7315, TAS Name Address City, State, Postcode Country Phone Mobile Fax Age (Please tick box) Adult (16 years or older) Junior under 16 years old Junior date of birth Do you want your details registered on our TRBPC Breeders Register? Yes No (Please circle) This information can be given out to people who are looking for the particular breed you have. (Please circle what information you would like given out) Mobile Home Phone Address Address All Membership rates: Adult member $15 Junior member $4 Family/Non-for-profit $25 (Annual membership fees fall due on 30 June each year) Please find enclosed a cheque/money order for $ Donation $ What breeds do you currently keep? All members of the TRBPC Inc. are asked to actively support the clubs activities and objectives and follow the clubs constitution. I agree to abide by the club s constitution guidelines: Signed: Date: