9th
October 1995
Dear
Bill
Thank
you once again for the wonderful information.
I’m
enclosing en envelope which may be of interest to you. it was part of my
philatelic mail from the Solomon Islands.
My
searching continues for locations there where there are recently sightings or
knowledge of jungle fowl.
One
of my long-time friends who was very knowledgeable about local wildlife died
accidentally a few years ago and his father too died recently. They were both
long time residents of the Solomons who were experts onto the natural wonders
of the country and married to local women. My mate was are quoted in the
Honiara Bird Guide by Jim Tedder as there being feral fowl on Santa Anna. That
was published well connected to that island.
I
am not sure whether I mentioned in a previous letter that a Solomon Island
friend who trained in Natural
Resources at Gatton Uni and returned to a job with the Environment &
Conservation Dept told me of his childhood in the Reef islands when they used
to trap the jungle cocks by using domestic cocks as bait.
the
trapped cock birds were then used in cock fights before and after school. This
was at least twenty years ago though and he has not been home to his island
for several years.
As
the Reef islands is in the vicinity of the places visited by Mendana, Quiros
and also the French who were wrecked I have an interest in the query as to
whether any feral or jungle fowl originated from population migrations or
shipwrecks. My Solomon island Travel handbook briefly mentions feral pigs from
the shipwrecks!
I
also wonder too whether DNA testing of any birds found would reveal any
information. You will probably be aware of any work done in this field.
Generally I guess poultry is not as important to most of the world as it is to
you and I.
Recently
I saw a TV programme which shows Australia at the forefront of DNA and genetic
work especially in the preservation of endangered species around the world
especially in the preservation of endangered species around the world so
someone in that area may be interested.
Two
particular items which I noticed in the Phillipino articles I sent to you were
the need for awareness of breeding and moulting seasons especially to identify
pure jungle fowl.
Are
you able to advise me what these periods are likely to be for jungle fowl in
the Solomons please.
As
already mentioned my long term dream is to liver in the Solomons and set up a
poultry breeding station. This also includes the location and study of the
jungle fowls.
My
poultry interest lately have all been geared towards formulating a plan for
poultry keeping in island villages.
In
the past Agricultural authorities in these countries (usually advised by
experts from the northern hemisphere) have introduce softfeather purebreds
such as RIR and Australorp plus hybrid laying strains. These naturally too “soft”
to withstand the rigours of the tropics and casual husbandry efforts.
My
theory is to introduce game breeds along with a good layer such as New
Hampshire and develop a more self reliant bird for the village free range.
This theory has been supported by a similar effort by the late Allan McArdle
in India for UNICEF, Professor David Farrell Qld Uni, Paul Gilchrist (both
experienced in the tropics) and Rod Woolford, my tutor for the Poultry
Husbandry Course I completed.
Therefore
I feel that I am on the right track also having developed suggestions for
feeding from local ingredients. I have investigated the various quarantine
requirements etc and I am now in a will have five different strains of
Hampshire to meld and three game lines based on OEG and Pits as well as my own
secret ingredients.
My
preference is to be on the receiving end and I already have orders for
chickens from other interested parties on that end too.
I
look forward to your comments and answers to my queries.
Yours
sincerely,