THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 19

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

—; 4 (By Chantecler.)

. Export Trade. • A strong effort is being mado to test the Vancouver market this season. Arrangements aro being mado to ship '10,000 dozen eggs in October, and 10,000 more in November. The latter shipment is contingent on a suitable chamber being procured. In this matter of export poultrymen aro showing a united spirit. Dtincdin is arranging to send 1000 dozen eggs, whilo the balance will bo made up from Christchurck aiid Wellington, Ine existenco of the egg circles made it possible to ship in this way, and it is expected that local prices will bo kept firmer if tho export trade is assured. There are largo buyers who, each season, pull tho market down, so that they may secure their supplies for preservation at a low rate. To poultrymen the cost of wheat and other foods is high, and, in common with the general riso of all food products, it is concedcd that anything less than Is. should not bo accepted for the best grade of eggs. The Vancouver market is tho most promising for New Zealand, as, during the winter season, supplies aro very scarce, and prices are high. It suits New Zealand at this time of year to make shipments for this market, and in the event of this season's experiment, turning out successfully the future trade is assured. Tho Government Farms. The closing of the Burnbam farm in Canterbury seems to be in nubilus. A few weeks ago it was announced that the, stock was being removed to Milton. The Canterbury farmers protested against their farm being taken away unless it were replaced with another nearer ■ Christchurch. The Canterbury feeling Is that they should have a poultry demonstration farm, as the industry there is growing stronger each year. A large proportion of its 1300 farmers go in for poultry. Even our local market i? largely dependent on southern supplies. wound Christchurch there are Bome splendid plots of land suitable for a demonstration farm. It would be a good arrangement to close Burnham and concentrate on a suitable farm nearor the city.' An adjustment of this nature will suit Canterbury, but a strong protest is likely should it be decided to leave the provinces without an aducational farm.

Incubation Troubles. A number of beginners are experiencing troubles with their incubators, arid each . season t'heso difficulties arise. Some meet with success, but' a greater number experience trouble with chicks dead in the shell. To give tho exact reason, ono must know exactly tho conditions 'Under which the breeding stock is kept, and tho system, of incubation adopted as so many things contribute to failure. • Stock may be weak, exercise lacking, feeding faulty, temperatures too high or too low, moisture deficient or in excess, ventilation insufficient—any one of theso things will make for failure. Experienco is the great teacher, and when successful hatches aro secured that system that gavo them should be adhered to.

Fowls and Parasites. One of the many important precautious in the rearing of chickens which both novicos and experienced breeders often omit to tako, is that of dusting with insect powder every newly-hatched chioken, the mother hen, tho Jitter in tho nest, or the artificial brooder where such is employed. Tho tendency appears to be to wait till there are evidences of parasites, and then to treat for same;; but this is a bad plan, if only because it is harder to cure than it is to prevent." The first evidence of parasites is, very often, apparent loss, of vigour in the chicks, and although, with care, the insects may be destroyed, the chicken which has been Bick, let it bo remembered, can never become the robust bird it would have been had it ,not received a check in chickenhood. Many experienced breeders touch the Bcalps of all newly-hatched chickens ;with oil directly they are hatched, in order to prevent head lice, and they aver that it is an absolute preventive. , Duck Hatching. It is a more or less common belief that the hatching of duck eggs in an incubator is a matter of great difficulty. It should not be so, and it isn't if the operator goes to work in the proper; way. This is the, mothod which gives successful results. Tho eggs should not bo more than a fortnight old, they should be nearly as possible tho same size, and there should bo moisturo throughout the hatch. If a hot-water machine, tho water-pan should be kept full the whole time; if a hot-air machino a water-pan should be introducod. The eggs should be marked on both Bides with different marks, bo that it may be known when they aro properly turned. They should ho turned onco a day (once is enough for duck eggs), after tho second day, ■and the eggs should be moved —that, is their position in the tray should ,be changed every day, so that any variation in tomporaturo may be generally shared. For tho first two weeks the temperature should be 103 degrees, and for the last' two weeks it should be 102 degrees. It is sometimes hard to make newlyhatched ducklingß feed, and a good plan is to sprinkle coarse oatmeal on a shallow saucer of milk, as they will always drink, especially in hot weather. In doing so tho oatmoal slips down too, and they acquire a lilting for it, whilst it is very nourishing and sustaining. ' Correspondent's Letter. The following lottor was received during tho week:—'"lt has just come under my notice and the question is asked why our stock (Motora Poultry Farm, Trentham) has not pono in for competition in tho Christchurch laying competition. I shall b© very pleased if you will insert that the Moera Farm always intends that its customers should receive the privilego of winning such, as we considor that any largo breeder should bo oontent to know that, stock or eggs purchased from his farm and. winning such a competition should bo not only gratifying, but should be so as to keep him from coming to such competitions. It is well known that large breeders can supply, not only ono pen, but numbers, and wo doom it a disadvantage to our customers.—J. M. Ferguson."