THE POULTRY INDUSTRY. LAYING COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1593, 9 November 1912, Page 14

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

LAYING COMPETITIONS.

—s — (By Chantecler.)

Denmark's Methods, Tho Christchurch "Press" has been publishing articles from tho pen of Mr. H. P. Acland, who is on tour in Europe. His description of tho methods of tho Danish, people in marketing their eggs and poultry nro educative and helpful to poultrymen in the Dominion. . Mr. Acland.states that tho success of tho .poultry industry in Denmark is due to the co-operative system of .marketing and grading their eggs, under organised individualism. There are in Denmark 110 fewer than 600 societies affiliated to the Danish Farmers' Co-operative Egg Export Association, which has a membership of 50,000. The societes collect the eggs from tho farmers. They nro then packed and sent to the central depot to he graded and packed. Every egg is tested, and stamped and graded into fivo or six grades, aiid then packed into wooden boxes containing shavings. Each box contains 900 to 1440 eggs. Tho boxes are then branded and are ready'for export to England to be sold by tho association s agents there. ■ , , ; The articles from Mr. Acland deserve to be widely read by poultrymen and it is to be hoped some wide-a-wake poultry enthusiast will get hold of him on his return and get further information. Eggs By Weight.. Mr. Acland further 6tates that eggs in Denmark are bought and sold by weight. This is an inducement to breed not only' tho best'layers for numbers of eggs, but also the best layers for good-sized eggs. When Denmark began its export trade the eggs were only 131b. per 120, and tho English market demanded 181b. Tho Government soon got its experts to work and in a 1 few years the farmers were educated to produce the egg of required size and weight. -'.■.■ If there is one thing which New Zealanders are doing that will, injure thoir industry it is the craze for numbers at the sacrifice of quality. The egg-laying competitions are largely responsible for this. The standard of the egg is set too low- in New Zealand, being ljoz., as against Australian eggs,- 2oz.;' English, 2Joz; It is to be hoped that this state of affairs will be remedied, as small eggs mean a debilitated stock and are tho signal that breeders aro on the wrong line.- '"."' ■• ' •'■''... * .'' ' Though we see ho immediate prospect ] of eggs in New Zealand being sold by weight, it is tho best method both for the public and the consumer. To-day tho producer of 30oz. eggs to tho'dozen gets no more than the one who produces eggs at 21oz. to the dozen. Tho public pay for the one as willingly as for the other, though one contains a third-more value than the other. During the last Roseworthy test only four pens failed to pass the required weight of eggs in the light breeds,. while eight pens failed, in the heavy breeds.'. The standard weight was." 2oz. Tho heavy breeds in New Zealand are quickly deteriorating.as far as size of-eggs is' concerned. It is rare that' we Bee brown eggs that will go 260z. to the I dozen. There are several things to ac-' count for it which, if not corrected, will result in serious loss., •The Export Shipment. A well-known local business man had an interview with a Vancouver merchant who is- touring New' Zealand, and. was assured that,' in Vancouver and its adjoining, centres, there is an almost unlimited market for eggs and • poultry. .• The trial shipment sent by the Government in September should be further supplemented by another small line to test the December market—the time when eggs are at,their highest levels It is difficult to get space in the 'Vancouver steamers, but experimental shipments this season would, : mean a fund of information to guide shippers nextvSensonv! The possibility, *bf export trade is a great incentive to producers to increase their flocks, they being fully, aware there will be no overproduction. As the quality of eggs improves, consumption will increase. The Egg Circle Movement. It is only two yeaTS ago since the egg circle movement was started in New Zealand, and thoughthe growth has. not been rapid, excellent work- has been done. Seventeen.circles have been formed with the result that they have their own agent in Wellington who markets 5000 to 6000 dozen eggs per week. Tho. eggs are in keen demand. are branded, graded and guaranteed so that their quality appeals to the public. Tho annual report of the Palmerstoh Egg Circle shows that 5000 dozen per month are being sent through their depot. The great aim of the circle movement is to gain- a co-operative: system of marketing and improving the quality, of the eggs. It lessens the-la-bour of expenses of marketing, stands out'for quality, and aims at finding additional markets for eggs. _ Every poultry man should belong to either a circle or association having these aims in view.

N.Z. UTILITY POULTRY CLUB: [Eighth laying competition for fowls. Thirtieth week.l Total Total for to Week. Date. W. A. Nixon, Burwobd, W. Leghorns, No. 1 .'. 32 982 J. W. Green, St. JUbans, W. Leghorns ..,.,. v . 81 935 A. W. Irvine, Epsom,'W. Leghorns, No. 1 ....;...........:.... 27 879 Heretaunga P. Co., Silverstream, Brown Leghorns, 'No. 1 ;. 84 869 W. A. Nixon, Burwood, W. Leghorns, No. 4 '27 ■ 865 A. E. Kent; Shirley, White Leghorns ..'.'.; 26 856 H.'Legor, Wereroa, White Leghorns, No. I VS2 854 H. R. Wainman, Bunanga, ' Vf r Leghorns ....'. 29 852 Heretaunga P. . Co.. Silverstream, W. Leghorns, No. 2 84 851 Prankish Bros., Wanganui, W. Leghorns 30 549

Wm. Scull, Christchurch, Black Wyandottes, 37—676; John Wordsworth, . Geraldine, White Leghorns, 31—784; James Ashton, Hanmer, Silver Wyandottes, 24— 662; Martin Bros., Auckland, White Leghorns, 33—841; Verrall Bros., Swannanoa, Brown Leghorns, 27—832; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Brown Leghorns, No. 2. 26— 759; H. S. Woodnorth, Winton, Brown Leghorns, 37—770; W. A. Nixon, Burwood, Brown Leghorns, No. 3, 27-831; R. M. Smith, Auckland, Brown Lephorns, 23— 602; Eangiuru Egg Eanch, Otaki, Brown Leghorns, 30—717; B. W. Hawke, Papanui, Brown Leghorns, 36-761; B. Willis and Son, New Brighton, Brown Leghorns, 82-742; A. E.- Wilson, Shirloy, White" Wyandottes, 18—742; D. Stewart, Normanby, White Leghorns, 27—727; Master G. Wilson, Shirley, White Leghorns, 29—

700; Eomain Hunger, Lower Hutt, White Leghorns, 30-700; Mrs. B. W. Hawko, Papanui, White Leghorns, 30—825; A. Stevenson, Knrori, White Leghorns, 24— 614; A. It. Browtte, Potanft Boach, Whiio Leghorns. 36-639; W. If night, Loiver Hutt, Silver Wyandottes, 82-447; J, H. Shaw nnd E. James, Ctestchuroh, White Leghorns, 28-734; W. G. , Goodwin, Thames,. White Leghorhs> 23—023; W. A. Nixou, Bunvood, Silver Wyandottes, 28— 820; A. E. Wilson, Shirley, Silver. Wyandottes, 35—704; Misses Bradley, Paponui,' White Leghorns, 26-796; T. Kennedy, Bangiora, White WyandotteS, C. M. Pock, Avondalo, /White Leghorns, 22— 575; N. Solomon, Westport, Black Orpingtons, 81-689; C. M. Peck, Avondalo, Black Orpingtons, 28-674; Q. H. Bradford, Oust, Silver Wyandottes, 24—630; A. W. Irvine, Epsom, W. Leghorns, Ne. 2, 28—754; Middlepark P. Farm, Ricca.rton,' White Leghorns, 32—786; T. Strong, Doyleaton, White Leghorns, 26-695; P. Keller, RoU leston, White Leghorns, 2G—C74; Percy Holt, Papakura, White Leghorns, 31—805; W. Knight, Lower Hutt, White Leghorns, 27-722;.G: Anderson, St. Albans, "Silver Wyandottes, 29-756; J.., W. Bradley and Son, Papanui, White Leghorns, Mrs. J. Mills, Dimedin, White Leghorns. 24—724; W. O. Sail, .Cust, White Leghorns, '80—636; Crawford and Pudsey, Lowor Hutt, White Leghorns, 81-823; K. A. Lazarus, Lower Hutt, White Leghorns, 28-839; W. O. Sail, Oust, Silver Wyandotes, 29-651; Misses Eadford and Barker, Ohau, White Leghorns, 33-687; A. W, Adams, Sheffield, Silver Wyandottes, 21— 748; J. Corrie, Beckenhnni, White Leghorns, 30-742; E. H. Borchart, Eltham, White Leghorns, 30-658; T. %. Collins, Lower Hutt, Black Orpingtons, 22—572; Dominion P. Plaftt, Coromahdel, White Leghorns, 83—793; T. Kennedy, Eaugiota, Silver Wyandottes; 23—764. POR DUCKS. [Ecturns for the 30th week df the Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club's third laying competition for ducks.] ' Total Total '• .. for to Week. Date. Thos. Avofldale, Indian Eflnners „... 33 : 90S' W. Knight, Lower. Hurt, Indian . Banners ■ •-.••'• 33 700 S. H. Scott, Onehunga, Buff Orpingtons .V. , ~25 709 T. E. Hall, Weraroa, I»dian "Eunners »'.;...-. .' 80 '951 P. Keller, Bolleston, Indian, Eunners 3-4 862 D. M. Peck, Avondale, Indian Eunners i 35 715 S. H. Scott,- Onehunga, Indian Eunners 33 529 Heretaunga P,. Co., Silverstream, Indian Eunners ... 40 935 Miss A. J. Donald, Dunsandel, Indian Eiijnners ............... S8 669 P. Keller, -■Bolleston,' Jndiim .' Eunners « 729 A WINNER OF COMPETITIONS. ■; The Egg-lolyirig competitaong for 1910-11 ond 1911-12 Were both won by pens reared on 'A. and P." Chick Raiser. The first essential for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from all Storfikeoiiers.—Arivt