EXPORT OF POULTRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1061, 25 February 1911, Page 14

EXPORT OF POULTRY.

LESSON IN PREPARING BIRDS. At present there is a big demand for primo poultry in New Zealand, and tho need for export trado is not pressing. Still. poultrymon should aim at testing foreign markets. Tho object lesson gained in preparing birds for export is important. Having gained three gold medals for poultry at the three last London exhibitions, London-Franco, Shepherd's Bush, and Japan-London, it seems that wo can produce quality unsurpassed in any part of the world. Thiss week, tho writer had t|!io pleasure of inspecting a shipment of poultry for tlio Imperial Exhibition, which is to bo held at London. The birds will leave by the Tongariro. Tho exhibit was prepared by Messrs. ClarkAand Pounsford, of Christchurch, and reflects credit on tlio firm. Mr. Pounsford is well known as ono of tho leading poultry graders in New Zealand, and in preparing poultry for market, is |iard to beat. Tlio following is a list of tho poultry which has been sent to the High Commissioner:—

No. 1. • 8 Black Orpington chiclc\j , cns .(4J months) ...... 38 No. 2. 12 Orpington chickens, M o '?• 1111,1 »"■ (4 months) 48 No., 3. 8 Silver Wyandotte chick-

„ ens (5 months) 30 No. 4. 12 Wliito Leghorns (o • monlihs) 39 v o ' o' Vi Hens, S.W. (12 months) 63 No. G. 10 Pekin ducks (11 weeks) 57i no. 7 12 Indian Runners (16 ' weeks) 47 •No. 8. 6 Whito Rock chickons

V „ J? .months) 30 W O, ,S G £ c,;m d ucks (11 weeks) 3? No. 10 2 Turkeys 21 No'.-11 6 Goslings 55'

_ Tlio chickens wero raised by Mr. J. Rose, of 811 rnh 11111. • : Piu 1 trym'en would realise that thousands.' of pounds •-are lost annually through want ,of quality, 111 sending their birds to market, wero they, to have viewed - tlioso oxcellcut specimens. Tho ducks were fattened by Messrs. Clark and Pounsford. and wiil talco beating. 0110 would not bo surprised if theso birds again carry off i|jo honours at tho Exhibition. Objcct of tho Exhibit. Tho shipment is being sent as a samplo of Now Zealand produce. It will form part of tho exhibit of the Now Zealand Department of Agriculture. On arrival in London, it will bo valued by an expert, so as to form an idea of what can bo dono in exporting market poultry. It will'bo interesting to .watch tho result of this splendid effort. Ono regrets' that such fine specimens as theso cau bo prepared for export trado, w|hile our own local market is languishing for this quality of birds. Wo |havo 110 doubt that, if poultry wero prepared for local consumption in this manner tliero would soon bo a great incrcaso in prices. A glanco at the abovo weights, and tho ages of the birds, will demonstrate what quality means. Usually, poultry that is sent into tho market consists merely of 'frames." Not one-tenth is ever primed off as it should be. A glance at . poulterers shops will show tho truth 'of this. Pcoplo do not consumo half as mudh poultry as they would wero tho quality there. They aro served with buds, that aro 111-I]eshed, aged, and tough, aiuj aro. fearful to invito frjends to partako of. poultry on their table, loultrymcn should institute a campaign 011 behalf of better poultry., Tlio public should be tlfeir first consideration. They are tlio consumers, land the .'willingness witlh which they pay for primo poultry is. cvidenco that tho poultrymen aro losing thousands every year far want of primo goods. ... A Promising Business. It is stated-'that an experiment of another shipment of birds.is shortly to bo made to tho London market. White Leghorn cockerels aro always a sourco of troublo to poultrymen. - They , aro regarded as poor tablo birds. 111 London, however," thcro is a big demand for primo <;hicken, weighing from three to four pounds. In tho abo\c weights, it is easily seen that theso weights can bo obtained. If fed carefully, wliito leghorns soon mature, and are a delicacy. A shipment of 120 white leghorn chickens are to bo sent to London shortly to tost tlio market. Tho birds will be specially fed and prepared for this shipment. Should tho result givo the shippers 4s. to 4s. Gd. a pair, net, it will moan tho opening up of a good business, for wfiat is now. regarded as'practically, a waste in New Zealand markets; ,