THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 14

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

(By Chanteder.)

EGG-LAYINQ COAIPETITION. (l)j Telceranh—Snecial Correspondent.! Cliristchurch, i, March 10. Mr. Sail's splendid pen heads tho list for tho week with 32, giving him a fino load with an aggregate of 1-109. Ilangiuru_(3o) holds second place; aggregate, 1377. Browne's total for tho week is 28, and Tiscli's 2G. Other aggregates: Bradford, 1356; Knight, 1355. Ducks.—There was only a miserablo return for the week of 22 (Lucy 17). Duck aggregates Knight, 1078, 077; Hammond, 950. 'Grand- aggregate:—Hens, 61,812; ducks, 9065. Valuo of Young Layers. Few farmers rightly estimate tho valuo of a pullet as a layer. Many of them will keep their hens till they are four and five years old, and some, when asked how they cull their flocks, will answer: "I just let them die off." An old hen is a "waster," and consumes the feed that should go to keep a profitable layer. Tho writer has often been asked what is the best age to keep fowls for laying. My own experiments have shown that pullets will earn 15s. a year, while the second-year lien comes down to lis., and tho third-year hen to 7s. As it costs 6s. a year to feed a hen, there is not much profit left after the second season. Tho writer has been studying the returns given by tho Hawkcsbury competition. At the end of the ten months the leading pen of pullets had laid over 1200' eggs. In their second year tho leading pen of hens do not reach 900, while for tho third year, hens arc a little over 700. This goes to show the fallacy of keeping third-year layers. The great obstacle in the way is the reproduction of stock. After a hen has finished laying she can be sold for Is., and this gives half the amount needed for feeding a chicken for the first five months. If a farmer has tlio accommodation for rearing chicks, he should sell off his layers after tho first laying season, retaining 'only those that are required for breeders. Old birds make poultry-keeping unprofitable. Now is the timo to cull out. Sell all birds that have done their second year's laying, also all weak birds in their second year—those showing lack of vitality. Tho pullets, too, should be subjected to the same rigorous culling, as it does not pay to keep aged or weak stock. Wot Mash v. Dry Mash. In a few weeks' time some very interesting data will bo available for this column. A twelve-months' test is being held of feeding six hens on the wet-mash system and six hens of-simi-lar breeding on tho dry mash. As a labour-saver tho dry mash comes out on top, and,: when tho animal food is fed in large quantities in the middle of tho day, the returns will nearly equal the birds fed on wet mash. At Hawkcsbury College one notes that- several of the pens, are being fed on dry mash, while others are fed 011 tho old system. , and, among the first twenty , pens, thero is • only one pen holding any position, and that is tenth. Tho lowest scores in the test are those fed on dry mash, so that we have additional evidence that the old style'maintains its lead. A good many do hot understand the dry and wet terms. Tho dry system is tho mixing of'-sharps, bran}'..mßflfc l mea.l, ground oats, etc.', in their dry form: Those are placed in a self-feeding hopper. The plan docs away with labour, as the hoppers only require filling onco a week, according to size. Tho wet mash is tho mixing of tho meals with soup or water, and feeding it in troughs every day. This means arduous work in a large flock, but it .pays best in tho return* of eggs. ' If one wero to keep, say, 2000 layers, lie should im-mediately-insta] the dry system, as you could afford to lose a fow eggs per hen in the,labour saved on the farm. Tho Export of Eggs. This subject continues to create a good deal of interest, especially in tho south. The following information given to an exchange of tho editor of the "New Zealand Poultry Journal" throws a good deal of light both 011 tho export and import of-eggs in New Zealand:— Eggs six' shillings a dozen! The future of tho poultry industry! At the meeting of po'ultrymcn held recently a great deal was made of the importance of tho importation of eggs into New Zealand. It is stated that thousands of dozens of eggs which como. into the Dominion each year are used by confectioners, and that this minimises tho consumption of tho home product, which is considered much superior to the imported article. From Mr. J. B. Mcrrett one gleaned some interesting information on the matter cf the egg business. Mr. Mcrrett is closely ; n touch with 'poultry, and studies the development of the industry in every country. When asked for an opinion on the increase of a duty on eggs, or prohibiting their importation, Mr. Merrett said: "At first sight, it seems unfair for the Government to encourago an industry on which they have spent thousands of pounds, and then allow tlio' import of eggs to cause a glut on our- markets in summer time. • But both sides of tho question are to bo considered. Tho imported eggs ar.o cheap and of inferior quality. They arc used for a trado that it will not give profit to our confectioners to ■ pay the market prico of locally-produccd eggs. ' Instead of looking for the cheap trade, I am ill favour of catering for a better market. My export shipments assure mo that wo can do better with our summer eegs by shipping to London. Thoso will relievo the congestion at a timo when eggs arc plentiful. In addition, I believe that the importation of eggs, except perhaps from China, will work out its own destiny. A great many eggs havo como from Germany, but they cannot comneto with our prices. In a letter from Mr. Edward Brown, tho English authority, ho predicts a great change in tho English market. Ho has recently been through Germany, and prophesies an egg famine in England. Germany's hunger for eggs, and her capacity for buying-them, havo grown so rapidly, that practically all European countries, except Denmark and Franco, are directing their supplies into her enlarging maw. Tho egg in Germany is said to bo essentially a townsman's diet. Russia, Italy; Aus-tria-Hungary aro all advertising their eggs towards Geriiiany instead of England, and aro themselves consuming more. Under tlieso conditions, Mr. Brown says that six shillings a dozen for 'new laids' in November and December is o.uite within the bounds of probability." Mr. Mcrrctt also states that ho is continually receiving requests for shipments of eggs to England, and recently, while in New Zealand, a representative from a largo firm in Glasgow made all inouiries as to the methods adopted in shipping eggs, and assures Mr. Mcrrett that there is a profltablo trade to bo done with Scotland. In the mail this week a letter was received by tho speaker from London agents, asking him if possible to ship 12,000 dozen eggs by tho first outgoing Some idea of tho demand can bo obtained when England is looking to tlio colonies for her supplies. "111 fact," concluded Mr. Merrett, "things look bright for New. Zealand poultrymcn. I don't think that they need worry about the importation of eggs. We con counteract their efforts as soon ns our experiments are .complete, to cnabln.

us to ship in largo quantities. Shippers this season have netted nearly lid. per dozen, while the local market at the time of shipment was 9d. What is required next season is the amalgamation of large egg producers, so as to send only the best quality of eggs for export." Assisting the Moult. We are now in tho midst of the moulting season. . Eggs are rising in price, and, on many farms, the owners will, scarcely obtain a new-laid egg for breakfast. There is a great deal in tho way in which birds are fed if you wish to maintain egg production. At tho egg-laying competitions the returns are remarkably good, though most of the pens aro moulting. Good wholesonio food is the secret of success. The writer has been breeding for several years from hens that go almost imperceptibly through tho moult, and scarcely stop laying. They seem to get their new coat of feathers and lose their old ones without that ragged appearance that marks the moulting hen. I have quite a fino flock of them. From 207 hens of this class I gathered ono day this week 161 eggs. If there are any poultry men doing better than this, I should-like to meet him. How is it done? Simply by carefully breeding from selected stock, culling out all those that'show signs of a weak constitution, feeding ample animal and green food, and keeping grain always before them after their morning mash. I am not rushing the pullets, though some of them are laying very well. It docs not pay to stunt the pullets, and so tho eggs have to come as Nature matures them. Feed moulting hens, so as not to allow them to go down in constitution. Tho writer has tried the starving process, but it was unsuccessful, as it took too long to got tho birds back to their original form. The Conference Report, One is glad to learn that the office staff of TnE Dominion has been kept busy posting out reports of the late conference. Tho volume is well worth a shilling, and that chargc should have been made for it. Tho demand has been so great that already the edition is exhausted, and it is not likely, that a second edition will bo :issued. Tho secretary of the association received hundreds of requests for the report, which goes to show how interested poultrymen are in the conference. Next conference will no doubt arrange for a much 'rnoro elaborato publication, though tho present report is'excellently arranged, and. an education to anyono who reads it. The organising fund of tho association affords an opportunity for any well-wishers to contribute to tho development of the industry. The Competition. The egg-laying contest gathers interest as it goes. Last week the ltangiuru birds fought their way into second place. Bradford's pen showed a falling-off. It is too early yet to predict the winners, though Sail's first and ltangiuru second stand tho'best chance. The' third place will bo fought out keenly, and ono would not be surprised to seo only a few eggs between the third, fourth, and fifth pens. Studholme's prize will, in all probability, go to Whiterocks. Bradford's pens are laying an excellent grade of egg, tho weight being far above the ordinary. The Egg-Circlo Movement. Mr. T. H. Rutherford, chairman of tho Wairarapa Egg Circle, addressed •a" gathering of poultrymen at tho Christchurch Poultry Club's rooms on February 28. He said that tho aims of tho circlo were the securing of a uniform price for eggs hud tho prevention- of fluctuation between winter and summer prices, and the grading of eggs according to sizo and quality, in order that a better price could bo got for larijo eggs. That would also assist in sending tho'best eggs to the markets. Organisation, said Mr. Rutherford, had secured great advantages in other industries. New Zealand could supply all tho eggs required by its population,'and could export to London, where there was an increasing demand. In a discussion thoso present expressed themselves favourable to tho proposition, and further action will bo taken ill tho matter. N.Z. UTILITY POULTRY CLUB. SIXTH EGG LAYING COMPETITION. MAY 1. 1010, TO MARCH 31. 1911. \ FORTY-FOURTH WEEK. Official report for week ending March 2: Last Total week's to Tl. Date. W. 0. Sail (Cust), No. 1 W.L. 31 1377 Raugiuru Egg Ranch (Otaki), W.L 31 1317 G. H. Bradford (Cust), W.L. ... 25 1339 H. Leger (Wereroa), W.L. ...... 24 1136 W. ICnight (Hutt). W.L ■ 24 1331 W.' Balch (Belfast), W.L. ...... 21 1330 A. Smith (Sydenham), W.L. ... 22 1310 Mrs. -It. W.-Hawke (Papanui), W.L ;. 15 1309 Mrs. J. Mills (Dunedin), W.L. 19 1278 W. A. Nixon (Burw'd), No. 1 W.L 29 12G0 S.S. Steele (Kimbolton), W.L.... 25 12G0 T. Kennedy (Rangiora), 5.W.... 29 1254 Jas. Thomson (Dunedin), W.L. 14 1254 A. R. Browne (Napier), W.L.... 31 1215 C. Anketill (Masterton), W.L. 19 1218 N. Solomon (Westport), W.L. IS 1115 A. Tisch (Dallington), W.L. ... 22 1209 A. H. Fadman (Adelaide), W.L. 20 1203 F. E. Cameron (Greenmeadows) W.L 18 1190 R. Willis and Son (N. 8.), W.L. 23 1179 Mrs-R. Malian (Oamaru), W.L. 26 1165 T. Kennedy (Rangiora), W.W. 25 11G4 A. W. V. Clarke (Halswell), S.W 26 1159 F. Edelston. (Motueka), W.L. ... 13 1153 A. B. Menzies (Addington), W.L 15 1141 Dominion Poultry PlantJCoro- 1 mandel), W.L: .......* 18 1139 B. A. O'Brien (Waihi), W.L.... 10 .1138 '. Burbury (Addington), W.L. 23 1117 Kothwell and Seddon (Middlemarch), W.L. 21 .1108 G. H. Robinson (Clich.), 8.0.... 11 1105 H. M. Bannehr (Chch.),AV.P.R. 25 1102 G. Finn (Wellington), W.L. ... 16 1092 R. W. Hawke (Papanui), W.L. 18 1085 Jas. Asliton (Ilanmer S.), S.W. 11 10S4 ,T. W. Bradley (Papanui), W.L. 15 1084 Sands, O'Callaghan and Co. (Christchurch), W.W 12 10S3 W.A. Nixon (Burw'd), S.S.H. 22 10S3 Yerrall Bros. (Snannanoa), W.L 18 1077 D. Stewart (Normanby), W.L. 15 1069 Misses M. and M. Bradley (Papanui), W.L 17 1066 J. A. Corrie (Lincoln), W.L. ... 18 1056. A. E. Wilson (Shirley), 5.W.... 2G 1034 AV. A. Nixon (Burwood), No. 2 W.L 17 1020 G. H. Robinson (Chch), AV.L.... 12 1020 G. H. Robinson (Chch.),S.W.„. 22 1017 J. W. Green (St. AlJjans), W.L. 12 1013 A. L. Saunders (Linwood), B.L. 24 996 A. W. Adams (Sheffield), M. ... 11 981 A. E. Wilson (Shirley), W.W. 9 962 W. A. Nixon (Burwood), 8.0. 17 929 W. O. Sail (Cust), No. 2 W.L. 19 912 A. AY. Adams (Sheffield), S.AA 7 . 21 879 AV. Knight (Hutt), S.AV 10 Sl4 S. H. Scott (Onehunga), 5.W..., 15 S3t. Totals 1053 SO.SSI

FIRST DUCK EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. MAY 1, 1010, TO MARCH 31, 1311. I'OKTY'-rOUIiTII WEEK. Official report for week cudius March 2: List Total week's to Tl. Date. W. Knight (Ilutt), No 1 I.E. ... 3 1078 C. Hammond (Hamilton), 1.1?.... U HSO AY. Knight (Hutt) No. 2 1.1?.... 8 974 'i'. Strong (Doyleston), 1.1? 3 929 AY. A. Nixon (Burwood), 1.E.... 0 St! 3 S. 11. Scott (Onehunga), D.0.... 0 772 Seddon and ]?otliwe!l (Middlemarch), I.lf 0 7C3 T. Dowthwaitc (Auckland) I.E. 0 75G Mr.-. T. M. Lucy (Dunedin), I.I!. 21 . 753 S. H. Scott (OiR-lnaiga), I.E. ... 0 719 Mrs. 1\ M. liiicliie (Chch), I.R. i 715 C. P. Naukcvill (Cust), E.O 3 Gil Totals 42 9513 A GREAT POULTRY MARKET. There are few people in New Zealand who estimate tho growing important of the poultry industry. The following account, taken from tho February "New Zealand Poultry Journal," gives an excellent account of how poultry arc marketed:— Canterbury's poultry market—A remarkable business where 100,000 birds. 70.000 dozen eggs are sold annually:— There aro few people who will credit that through one business alone in Christchurch that 100,000 head of poultry aro sold annually besides the enormous number of nearly one million eggs. The business of C. It. AVilsou and Co. was established several years ago and has gradually extended its inllucnco until to-day it is questionable if there is another poultry business in Australasia that/sells so many birds and eggs as. this firm. About a year ago tho business was purchased by Mr. J. B. Jlerrqtt, proprietor of tho "New Zealand Poultry Journal," and under his direction it has grown to be ono of tho leading markets in New Zealand for high prices and quality of birds. It is no uncommon thing for Mr. Merrett to sell at one day's sale 3000 birds and an order for 500 dozen or even 1000 dozen eags in one day is not an exception. The premises aro situated in the centre of the city in Tttam Street,_ and adjoin tho Opera House. Thero is a three-story brick buildiiiK lighted with electricity and fitted with a lift. On the lower floor aro the offices and produce store. The upper stores are stocked with poultry requisites. Adjoining these premises is a brick building that contains an electric motor and saw bench. Theso aro used f6r niakint poultry crates, egg-carriers, etc., during the Christmas week no fewer than fivo men were busily engaged making poultry crates to keep up with tho demand. AVhen it is stated that du Christmas and New Year weeks nearly 10,000 birds were marketed somo idea is given of the accommodation required. Tho poultry pens aro fitted up under cover and are three tiers high. They accommodato 3000 birds and often at this tjme of year all tho pens aro filled. Quite a number of crates aro receiver/ on Friday. Tho birds are all carefully graded and placed in their pons. In a specially-prepared book tho pen number, liamo of tho client, and the number of tho birds are given. Early on Saturday morning the birds begin to arrive and between nine and eleven o'clock tho yards aro. a busy scene. Most of tho country people make Saturday their market, day and bring, their poultry with them. It is no uncommon thing to seo twenty or thirty vehicles, motor-cars, wheel-barrows, etc., all lined lip laden with poultry. Each ono awaits his turn and in a remarkably short time tho birds aro received, graded and penned. A ticket is given each client containing his name and tho numbers of liis pens. At 11.30 tho public and tho buyers aro asseniblcd : arid Mr. Mcrrett, who acts' a"s auctioneer, begins tho selling. It is surprising how quickly tho birds aro sold. There is p wide variety and tho auctioneer must know his work and understand values. Oftentimes ho knocks a pen down as a result of ono bid when somo ono who gives top market prices makes tho offer. During tho past four months table chickens (cockerels well fed and five to six months old) have reached tho splendid price of Ss. 9d. a pair. Ofteu Mr. Merrett has sold numbers of pons from 6s. to Bs. per pair during one sale. llo' often gives a little talk when these high prices aro reached and congratulates tho producer oil tho quality of tho birds lie sends. If farmers would only hatch their chickens earlier and raise good heavy breeds such as Rocks, Orpingtons and AYyandottes theso high prices cculd be obtained nearly all tho year round. The great trouble about the farmer is ho will not send his birds to the sale while young. He hangs on to them month after month until they get nearly a year old and then they aro sold for one quarter tho price they would bring at six months old. Then again many of tho birds aro not primed off and the buyers have often to take and feed tho birds for two or three weeks before they are fit for tho table. It is not to bo expected-they will pay a high price when they have to do this. If tho bird is ready for the table it saves them a lot of trouble and they will pay a much higher .price. At tin'-, time of year hens aro always at a discount. They liavo been laying perhaps for two years, aro in the moult and out of condition and their value, especially tho light breeds, .does not escced Is. each. Most amusing things aro heard by tho auctioneer as to the quality of birds. Somo one who finds an old rooster sold at Is. will say: "AVhat a shame, such a fino bird and I only had him two or thrco years and ho cost mo 10s." The bird in question would bo poor, scaly legged, long spurred and scarcely fit for human consumption. Another having sold liens at 2s. a pair is surprised and exclaims: "Just fancy, I paid 10s. a setting for tho eggs. They are so and so's strain. They're young hens not more than thrco years at "most, and to sell them at Is. oach." A little pointed rcferenco generally shows the producer their truo value. AVhen they aro described as poor, tough, having laid two or three seasons, aro in tho moult and aro being sold becauso the owner has no use for them it is sufficient, and tho client goes off a wiser man, though to tell the truth tho women have the most abnormal idea of values of poultry. The poultry sale is an exciting time. AA r hen bidders are numerous and birds are in keen demand tho auctioneer gets through a thousand birds in an hour. An attendaut holds up a specimen from each pen. Generally ono of the dealers starts out at a prico._ Sometimes two or three —at other times a dozen bids are given and tho birds aro sold. Tho liamo of tho buyer and tho price are placed on the slip with tho pen number and taken to the offico where 0110 clerk makes up tho debit note and the other the credit. Clients file into tho offico as their birds aro sold and present their tickets and receive their cash. Many a farmer's wife enjoys the spending of tho cash her birds bring. The sale proceeds and then the dplivcry of tho birds is given as each buyer presents his ticket. Sometimes errors occur and wrong birds aro taken and tho proprietor suffers a loss of many pounds in tho year through this causa.