Poultry People I have Known
I have reached the age when I look back at many great names in the fancy, and in life, who have greatly contributed to my personal development. We may think we are self made people, but the reality is many influence us in life's journey. The risk with writing thi is those who get left out so I am sure I will edit this in the future.
Like Bert Stehn, now long gone, who happily reviewed my efforts at breeding Dorkings, encouraged my reading, and gave me my first autopsy lessons. Indeed, he loaned me over time all his library including the book where I hand copied the Dorking line drawing which became the Bellsouth Logo, though I can not now remember the book title. I guess I don’t know all that much about his life, perhaps someone who knew him well could write some of his life story.
Ron Roberts, a prolific letter writer, who accepted I wasn’t a dedicated exhibitor, but had a lively interest in all things poultry, so he taught me much about handling and training the birds. It was his advice which some time later was of great use when I started training game birds as part of the chook washing program.
Then there was Cam Milward world famous for his terriers, a world renowned dog breeder and judge, chook breeder and judge, with great lessons on all animals. To hear him speak about his Doberman, and the way of training such a guard dog to be a personal companion and protector, was spellbinding . He always was turned out in suit and tie, though some say he was a better dog judge then chook judge. But he was willing to spend time with a rank amateur like me, and I remember that.
John Skinner and his wife Jean in Wisconsin became great friends and encouragers. I met them at the commercial poultry expo in Atlanta sometime in the 80’s. John was an interesting man, starting in the Department of Agriculture in Nebraska, becoming an academic at the University of Wisconsin, a life long breeder of Cochin bantams ( what we call Pekins), author of many publications, and lifelong collector of poultry books. We had many meetings talking of poultry, poultry books, breeds, and when the time came I bought is substantial collection. I once discussed with him the future of poultry research. He told me it was really hard to recruit people to study poultry science and he didn’t know why. I asked him what was his first study project. He replied Coccidiosis. And I said, “when you started didn’t you think that if you cured this problem, then you would fundamentally change the keeping of fowls”. He agreed that it was the driver in his studies (and helped develop the control of this disease). “So what is it you challenge the students with now, some study that involves now 6 years study, hours looking down a microscope, with the hope that it might effect production by some incredible small amount. I would be discouraged also”. A man with a wide experience, readily welcomed me anytime we met. He was one of the last of the old time researchers who has seen the industry change, from a subsistence farmers industry, to a major business. He resides now in a retirement home in Wisconsin, and Jean passed on a few years ago.
And there were many others who made great contributions to my life and the life of poultry keeping in general. Two particular men have passed on recently.
Peter Murray started adult life as a London Bobby, migrating to Australia. Peter was legendary every where he went as a rebel against the status quo, someone outside the box. But Peter didn’t hesitate to give to many of his expertise in poultry medications. His business All Farm Animal health supplied many poultry products in a way that suited small producers as well as the main commercial industry. But the importantly to me, he was willing to feed the curious mind of another very young, wet behind the ears businessman, who just wanted to know. Peter gave me many publications, and steered me through material that laid a good basis for my personal studies in poultry. Many aspects of his personal life were not to my liking, but I always appreciated his encouragement.
Trevor Bagust died suddenly in March this year. Trevor was the head of the CSIRO Animal Health Laboratory between 1988 and 1996. He had overseen the development of SPF (disease free) chickens in Australia. SPF birds are a vital part of the Vaccine manufacture process. His program resulted in a program of technology transfer to China. This program required equipment and Trevor and his team recruited me to make specific equipment for the program. This lead to a rapid learning curve for me and resulted in an opening to travel to China for installation of the equipment, and later to export to China. I regard the experience in China as life changing, though the money I lost there is a tough way to learn humility. Trevor placed me into the training program for the operators of the SPF facility in Beijing, and later gave me a great opportunity to tutor in the Masters Degree in International Poultry Health when he moved to Melbourne University to develop the program. The work with international students was glorious, not because I taught them too much, but because it gave me the opportunity to work with a group of students who, unbenowns to them, taught me huge amounts, far more than I ever taught them. When the masters program migrated to distance education, my role declined Trevor assisted with my simple research intyo disease transmission in pure breed flocks, using these same SPF chickens at Melbourne Royal. Later, he supported me attempts to have a pure breed program at the World Poultry Science Association World Congress in 2008. Trevor retired to Port Fairy a few years ago.
His contribution to poultry disease diagnosis, vaccine development (particularly ILT) international poultry health, his enthusiasm, and his pipe are all legendary, but almost unknown to the poultry fancy.
Just a few days ago, working on the building site which will one day become my new home, I was appreciating the work of the young machine operator. He was boring holes for a verandah and showed me how to get the bottom of the holes clean. The tricks are neat and I said so. He said pretty soon you will know all my tricks of the trade. I think he was a bit surprised that an old man would want to know about cleaning mud out of holes. I replied it has been rule of my life to always try to learn as much about everyone’s specialty. Everyone has one. And one of the joys of my life has been the people who were willing to share their specialty with me.
My regards Jim Finger 2015 amended 2021