THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 15

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

(By Chantecler.)

Eggs and Table Poultry. Mr. Lcgcr is one of those poultrymen who is always delightfully frank in criticism, lie never writes and omits his name, while his comments aro intelligent an<l reveal the practical. Ho is in error, hoivovcr, when ho asserts that tho writer depreciates Leghorns. It is only as a tabic fowl that wo find tho leghorn wanting, and, if this branch of tho industry is to bo built up, it is unwiso to have tho farmer producing leghorns. As egg-layers, of course, theso birds liavo no equal. Wo like them well enough to caro for at least 500 layers all tlio year through. They are tho ideal fowl fov tho egg-farmer who makes his living from eggs, as many do in Petaluma, but, for our farmers, who produce three-parts of our table poultry, tho heavier breeds are commended. They stand rough treatment, and, if cross-bred, are undoubtedly tho finest table birds that find their way .into tho market. Producing table poultry is not commended as a living, but there are thousands of farmers whose side-lino is poultry, and it is to them that we look for our table birds. '

Limitations of Egg-Production. I am pleased to learn from such an authority as Mr. Leger' that heavy eggproduction is a sane procedure, and that birds may retain their constitution even though they produce 260 eggs in the year. X am, however, sorry to say that my expericnce differs. I handle thousands of eggs each week, and I regret to say that tlicre is a tendency to degeneration in tho quality of tho eggs. The eggs from our present competition are enough to make me weep—they aro so irregular and small. Mr. Leger's argumont that tho ailments I refer toaro "as old as tho hills" is not correct, as it is only in the past ten years that 250-egg produces have •been known. Where liavo wo ' such- instances of ovarian troubles, small egg 3, weak chickens, and tubercular weaknesses as among our poultry to-day? Wo cannot harmonise the production of 2GO eggs from a hen in a year and the maintenance of, I constitution and stamina. The sacrifioe is too great. There is, and must bo, impoverishment of other organs at tho ex.peuse of. egg-production. I see no need for this craze for phenomenal layers. Tho lien's life is too short to force all its work into ono year. Ono must look to the ultimate Tesult, and bo guided by what he sees in tho egg-market, of 'to-day, and, if ho does, ho will surely be strongly inclined to protest against the high records in numbers, *

A Successful Circle. , The Palmerston North Egg Circle has issued its second aiinual Dalance-slicet. The.report says:— ' "The year jiist ended has been a very satisfactoiy one. The -number of ego 9 passing through the'circle increased from 1G,145 dozen in the first year to- 23,440 dozen, and the monthly averagenet 'prico paid to suppliei'9 N works out at Is. 3d. within a*small fraction. In «addition tothis the circle has accumulated a sum of Is. 6d., balance of assets over liabilities. But although the' progress -is very marked, as evidenced by the abovegiven figures, there is' tooiu for still larger expansion. If all the egg producers of this district (one of tho richest parts of .the Dominion) would study their own interests and avail themselves of our organisation, the. resultant beitefits to the poultry industry, and incidentally to thear own pockets, would be moro marked still. During the year arrangements were made whereby members were enabled to obtain poultry foods at wholesale rates, and thus many of us have made a considerable saving. The number of members at date is 39, and the committee would again urge upon them to uso their influence to increase the membership." This i 9 an excellent report, and goes to show what poultrymen can-do if they only unite. During the year 23,410 dozens of eggs were marketed at <£1-07. Tho secretary and members have done well. Practically tli© vrliole of tho Mnnawatu could join this circle and make it one trading concern. If tho secretary could visit Eeilding, Foxton. Rongptea, Levin Otalo, and othor places, ono feels suro that instead of having 39 members they would have 200, and in place of selling .£I2OO worth of eggs they could sell X3OOO worth. A Promising Season. On every hand there is promise of an excellent season for poultrymen. Tho ■egg market is at its best, and prioes have risen heigher tlian one has seen them for some years past. From a close study of supply and demand, eggs aro not. going to drop so low in prico during tho summer months as they havo done, so. that eggfarniers may look forward to good'times.' Tho grain foods are reasonable in price, so that there is a go<vl margin for profit. There is a demand for settings, breeding 6tock, and day-old cliicks. In many' instances breeders have already sold out all available stock, and are confined to eggs for setting and day-old chicks.

The Ninth Competition. Tho ninth egg-laying test is now well on its way. A visit to tho grounds shows that some excellent birds havo been entered. In a few instances weak birds havo been sent forward that will lower the average of the pen, but there is an absence of immaturity as compared with other years. It is remarkable what difference there is in the nature of the birds. Some are docile and easily approached, wliile others aro so "scared" that it is impossible to approach tliem. It tends to greater success to handle birds for competition. The Pure Foods Act. A study of the Pure Foods Act as amended last year shows that the enactment will do much to encourage the poultry industry. It will be against tlio law for confectioners and pastrycooks to uso imported dried 'eggs. They will be- confined to eggs in shell, oither newly-laid, from cold storage, or preserved in liquid. Egg custards and baking powders are also to be labelled as containing little of the nutritive value of eggs. These restrictions will increase the demand for eggs, and help the industry to a remarkable extent. A Reunion. The N.Z.U.P.C. annual dinner was held at Christchurch last night. A report will be given next week.