THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 15

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Eggs Scarce. What's the Cause? Beginners aro writing me to say that their liens ore "off the lay," their pullets aro on strike, and at just tho time they want to make a low* pounds they cannot get the eggs. It 1 is hard to givo them tho solution. There are many things that might contribute. Many of the old breeders, too, are at their wits' eud to know why'eggs are so scarce. The market is higher now than it has been for years. Last season we. thought that tho winter egg problem was a thing of the past, but from' preseut indications wo havo not yet fouud the secret. To get eggs in winter the chief source is from the pullets. Unless these were hatched from August to the end of September, cared for in tho lest manner, housed and fed bountifully ■ with growing foods, and brought gradually to maturity there will be a poor response. At tho beginning of March the pullets should havo been placed under eover, or at least kept so on wot and cold days. By now they would be yielding eggs freely'. If not, they havo been badly eared for. They have been neglected, and received a check-whilo being raised. Once this occurs it takes months to overcome \it. ■ Others have been exposed and have .caught chills. Just here it is possible that we may bo overdoing things. Our forcing for eggs and high numbers may just result in giving tho country quite a lot of stock that cannot stand the strain of egg-production in winter, lhe tax is too much on tho constitution. Ave cant burn the candle at both ends, and we may bo reaping the crop of penalties. It is possible, too, that we are making a mistake in grovelling after the late moulter. Many are telling of the wonderful laying ability of the late moulter. Well, I do not care for this. 'One never goes in to a hen farm where a man has hundreds of half-moulting hens in May without feeling that there is a sense of overeagerness for immediate profit about the business. Hens half moulting now havo the coldest weather to endure, and havo to face the winter half-clad with featilers. They nre open to colds, and disease that must tell their tale in weak chickens and debilitated stock. These are the hens which poultrymen enthuse about and advisß as breeders. For my part I admit that they may bo tho best layers, but I dislike the practice and avoid it. I prefer to see hens begin to moult in February, and get their nice warm coats on by tho timo April conies. They take a woll-earned spell, and. store up their energy and vitality for tho breeding season. "Made Chase for Numbers." One cannot help feeling that we are on the eve of a big setback in poultry wattes. I have seen it coming on for the last three years. I have caused a good deal of resentment because of warning j notes, but I 1 still think that there is too lr.uch lust'for quick profit among poultrymen. I liko to see a good layer, and know what I'ons can do, but I can see nothing but a whole crop of penalties in front of us if we continue tho mad chase for numbers. There are not many poultrymen in New Zealand who see as much of poultry as I do. I handle, at least 2000 head every week of all varieties and quality. I see the, egg-laying competi-' tions with my own eyes, and frequently visit them. 1 see. tho growing declino of constitution, smallness of eggs, ovarian troubles, and weak chickens that are surely the penalties we pay for our ambitions. Is it hot timo we took a pull ? Would 'it not l<e better to discourage tho mad crazo for numbers ond go in for better quality? Yes, eggs are scarce, and they are going to bo' scarcer still if present conditions are to be maintained. In Australia they are learning the same' lesson, and lamenting the troubles ahead of them. Beginners, pin your faith to coustitution-iamong.yoiir-ibirds and .breed from birds averaging 180 to 200 eggs a year, and be satisfied. Mr. H. Leger's Fowls. Mr. 11. Leger, Weraroa, has been advised that ho has been awarded two additional prizes, viz., third prize for tho Studholme test, and third prize fo rthe greatest year-weig'ht of eggs. Only 21oz. separated the first and third prizes.

* (By Chantecler.)

J. Stephenson, Wanganui, \ Whito Leghorns 19 85 Mawson Stewart, Christckurcli,. White Leghorns 20 SI •A. E. Wilson, Shirley, White Wyandottes 20 79 Thomas Voso, Carterton, White Leghorns 17 78 Verrall Bros., Swannanoa, W. Leghorns 1G 77 T. Kennedy, Eangiora, Silver Wyundo ties, G —23; A. W. Adams, Sheffield, Silver Wyandottes, 0—0; A. E. Wilson, Shirley, Silver Wyandottes, 0—0; W. Knight, Hutt, Silver Wyandottes, 5—11; 'l'hos. Wilson, Marshlands, Silver Wyandottes, 0—0; W. U. Sail- Cust, Silver Wyandottes, 6—9; S. H, Scott, Ouehunga, Silver Wyandottes, 0—0; T. Kennedy, Eangiora, White Wyandottes, 0—11; King and Watson (N.S.W.), Black Orpingtons, 10—22; Verrall Bros., Swannanoa, Brown Leghorns, 15—31; J. H. Shaw, Christchuroh, Brown Leghorns, 0—0; A. W. Irvine, ift. Eoskill, Blue Mot. Leghorns, 0—0; H. Leger, Wereroa, White Leghorns, 1—1; Heretaunga Poultry Club, Silverstream, White Leghorns No. 1, 19—68; D. Y. Gibson, Herbort, Whito Leghorns, 10 —16 J. Cocker, Bromley, White Leghorns, 15—19; Heretaunga Poultry Club, Silverstream, White Leghorns No. 2, 20—19; C. D. C. Eggers, Nelson, White Leghorns, 18—67; 1. M'llwraith, West Melton, Whito Leghorns, 1-1; K. W. Hawke, Papanui, White Leghorns, 11-56; J. Wordsworth,, Geraldine, Whito Leghorns, 11—26; A. W.Irvine, Mount Eoskill, White Leghorns No. 1, I—4; Middlepark Poultry Farm, Kiccarton, White Leghorns, 10 —19; T. White, Napier, Whito Leghorns, 7—10; Stewart and Landsperg, Normanby, Whito Leghorns, 11—23; J. A. Corrie, Beckettham, White Leghorns, 15—40; F. Mason, Hutt, White Leghorns, 26—67; G. Bonnett, Spreydon, White Leghorns, 19—50; E. Willis and Son, New Brighton, Whito Leghorns, 18-61; Braekentield Poultry Farm, Biccart-on, Columbian Wyandottes, 9—29; H. S. Woodnorth, Winton, Whito Leghorns, 15-4G; R. A. Lazarus, Hutt, White Leghorns, 27—66; A. W. Irvine, Mount Eoskill, White Xeghorns No. 2, 10 —15; Mrs. J. Green, St. Albans, Whito Leghorns, 22—18; Wm. Scull, Christ T , church, White Leghorns, 25—71; Dominion Poultry Plant, Coromandel, Whito Leghorns, 15 —25; Mrs. Ansley, Bromley, White Leghorns, 9—15; Mawson Stewart, Christchurch, 10-22; A. E, Browne, Petane Beach, White Leghorns, 23—10; W. Knight, Hutt, AVhite Leghorns, 17-