MORE EGG PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 38, 9 January 1945, Page 7

MORE EGG PRODUCTION

MASSEY COLLEGE EXTENSIONS

A definite impetus to wartime egg production in New Zealand lias, been given by recent extensions' to the Massey Agricultural College poultry farm and plant, which now houses over 2000 adult birds and hatches out nearly 25 000 young stock annually. The poultry farm has spread over many fresh acres j and those visitors who wish to make a thorough tour of the plant must be prepared to walk more than a mile to visit all the sheds. Eggs and young pullets both of which have been, in short supply in the last two years, are being produced in heavy quantities.

Along with the direct supply to meet the public demand the College. is assisting towards greater egg production through its training of men and women for the poultry industry. The maximum enrolment of 12 students', four of whom are exs> servicemen, started the 48-weeks' course this year. The course is essentially a practical one and students assist with farm management to a considerable degree.. Several former students are now looking for suitable sites on which to establish

heir own farms. The extensions include an addi-

tional farm cottage; a modern brooder shed large enough to accomriiodate 5000 chicks to perching

age; live l'ree-range laying each to accommodate 200 fowls; live additional breeding pens; eight range rearing sheds; together with more minor additions to the plant and equipment. For this expansion a special grant was made on the clear understanding that it was to be used during the war to assist in greater egg production and after-, wards for. experimental work. At lirst it was intended to establish a one-man commercial unit ? but latex this Avas amended to extensions to the existing plant which would generally improve, the economic working of the department". The extensions are in keeping with the. greater interest being taken by the public generally in ponl-

try work. The modest beginnings of what is now probably the leading stud poultry breeding farm in the Dominion were made in 1929, when the College authorities' decided to add a poultry department. A start was made with a plant large enough to accommodate about 1000 adult birds. Believing that if students were to be trained, it would*be in their interests to avoid "frills" and to manage the farm on commercial lines, the authorities have always

followed this policy. Until 1941/42, the public egg laying contest was one of the features connected with the plant but owing to war conditions'

and for other reasons this has had to be discontinued. From the start it was decided to build up good strains of the more common utility breeds as well as give an expert mental lead to the industry by the introduction oL' such promising strains as tho.se of the new autosexing breeds. While the bulk of the stock consists of White Leghorns and Black Orpingtons, in all twelve breeds of poultry and ducks are stocked.