THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1728, 19 April 1913, Page 14

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

(By Chantecler.)

High Prices. It is many years since poultry products were reported at such high prices as at present. In Christchurch Inst week, though thero were over 3000 birds in the ■narket on the Saturday, no fewer than 200 birds sold for the table from Ss. to 10s. 3d. por pair, while *ggs are up to 2s. 6d. a dozen. Something has evidently gono wrong, and poultrymen are having a splendid time enjoying the high prices. These prices are likely to rule for table poultry for the next nine months, and for eggs for two months. It is certain that the production is not keeping pace with the demand, and unless something is done to encourage the poultry industry further there is likely to be a greater scarcity of supplies. Though competitions are being run to encourage poultry-keeping, and Government farms are at work supplying good stock at low prices, the supply is falling far short of requirements. Something should be done to encourage farmers and others to take up poultry-keeping, as, in addition to export trade that is possible, there is a heavy demand for supplies right through the country. Why Not Be Self-Reliant? At the Auckland Conference, it was apparent that some poultrymen did not think that the Govornment is doing as much for poultry as it is for other industries. Fruit was quoted as an example of enthusiasm on the part of tho Government, though its value was said to be only one-fourth, that of poultry. In addition to experts and directors, pamphlets, and model acres, and fruit farms, tho fruit 'industry receives much general encouragement. The poultry industry has only ono expert to supervise the whole. But, anyhow, why do poultrymen want to worry themselves? While the public is willing to pay 10s. and 12s. a pair for chickens, and 2s. Gil. a dozen for eggs, what need'is thero for agitation by poultrymen for more production? Champion Layers, Tho whole poultry world is interested in tho magnificent total of White Leghorns laying 1832 eggs and Indian Kunners 1601 in one, year. Such achievements show what really can be done. Of course, breeding to this standard carries its penalties, and it is just a question whether the wellbred flocks of to-day are laying as many eggs in winter as they did a. tow years ago. With increased egg production the constitution gets weaker, and is unable to stand the strain that winter egg-pro-duotion entails. Opinions differ as to the wjsdom of forcing to such high numbers as the records show. Weak chickens, small eggs, ovarian troubles, etc., aro tho penalties to be looked for.. Poultrymen keeping large flocks should carefully consider whether such a policy is 'not a shilling wise but a pound foolish one. The First 1500 for Black Orpingtons. The first 1500 by black Orpingtons in Australian State-controlled conipetitioua has just been made. The champions are Burus's blacks, and, they got 1534 at tho Gatton (0,.) contest, which finished on March 31. They are big, lumpy birds, averaging 71b., and their <?ggs went 24uz. to the dozen.' There have been some good scores by black Orpingtons in privatelyconducted competitions, but this score of 1534 is the hignest ever got in State-man-aged fixtures, and, I believe, tho best obtained anywhere by tho breed. Tho highest Leghorn score in Australia is tho .1589 niado last year at Koscworthy, and other good tallies by this breed aro 15ii(j, 1561, and several other scores down to 1500. The fact that the members of the j heavy brigade can get so closo to tho Leg- j ' horns, which are regarded as egg machines, shows what, cultivation can do. j The First 1600 in Australia. At tho competition which finished on March 31 at the Hawkesbury College New South Wales, tho six Indian ltunner ducks entered by i\ Morrison scored 1601 for the 12 months. Tho previous best for hens or ducks was the 1559 made lit the 1911-12 competition at Koseworthy, ■in South Australia, by white Leghorns, and there have been several scores of over 1500. Tho previous best for ducks was the 1571 got at the Subiaco competition in Western Australia a few years ago. The ducks at Hawkesbury, which have put up the new record, laid' eggs which averaged 31oz. to the dozen, and the total weight of eggs from the six birds was 2521b. As pointed out on several occasions. in this column, there is no difference as regards laying ability between the best Leghorns and the best Euuner ducks, so far as the first year is concerned, although it is probable that the ducks would beat the hens in the see ond year. It is a pity that the undoubted excellence of the Kunners. cannut bo turned to better account,' but the fact is that the pastrycooks don't like duck eggs, because they are not suitable for the making of pastry, and this being so, it is not. likely, that the Runners will be kept, except for the purposo of suppjjing tho household with eggs for tho table. The Hon Writes Her Own Autograph. Tho other new scheme is that when a hen gets off the nest" after laying she leaves a mark behind her on a piece of ; paper, which is fixed on a board under which she has to crawl to get out. In crawling out her leg comes in contact with tho paper, and a coloured, crayon which is fixed to the leg, like a rooster's spur, makes a mark. The marks aro recorded, and the hen's score is so kept. Different-coloured crayons are used, and,

the company is making special provision for the carriage of eggs to Vancouver under the most favourable conditions during nest season:— , "We understand that there is every likelihood of shipments of eggs being offered for Vancouver next season, and' that we shall be asked to provide space in cold storage. Tin: difficulty hitherto has been that shipments have been offered in such sniaU'quantitics that we had no chambers small enough to set aside for the purpose, and on account of tho different temperature required, the eggs could not be stowed in the same chamber with butter or meat. Tho cold-storage capacities of the Vancouver steamers will, however, bo very much larger tk.in was the case during the season just passed, and we are now endcavouring to make such arrangements as will afford convenience for shipment? of eggs on. at least some of the trips, if not every trip. .We cannot say definitely what call bo done until we gather some idea of the butter and meat space likely to bo required in tho coming season, but we are not likely to bo able to gauge this with any reliability until the first week in September, but perhaps that will be soon enough to decide what can be done with regard to ejrgs."