THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 15

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

f « (By Chantecler.)

Off to Missouri. The decks of tho Tahiti presented qirite a uniquo attraction as tho seven coops containing fifty-six champion whito leghorns were grouped _ m a sheltered' spot, en route for Missouri, where fclioy will take part in the egglaying competition to be held in that State, commencing December 1. They will take thoir long overland journoy from Sam Francisco and arrive at Mountain Grove about three weeks before tho tost starta. . Tho venture is a credit'to New Zealand It is only, a few. months ago the request was inado, and seven competitors responded. Air. J. B. Merrett, secretary of the Now Zealand Poultry Association, organised matters, and oamo tip specially from Ohristehurch to see tho birds safely on board and every preparation made for their care and attention during tho voyage. Tho birds vary considerably ill ago, Bomo being immature while others fire in, their first laying year. It will bt; interesting to note bow they sooro ill this foreign test, and as. some of the best blood in the Dominion has been sent, it will. not bo surprising to find tho birds giving a good account of themselves. They will be subject to many handicaps. The journey will bo strenuous, and they will enter another winter on arrival. However, just allowance will bo mado them for these disabilities, and it is expected tho birds will emerge from the test with honours. • Tho Export Shtpmont. By tho Niagara, leaving Auckland in' a few days, 10,000 dozen eggs will be fo warded to Vancouver. Tho shipment consists of tho best selected eggs in the Dominion. They will bo sent '.under cold storage treatment, and aro expected to arrive in perfect order. The shipinelit has been organised by the different egg oircles and poultry farmers associations, and represent eggs from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and' Auckland. The largest number will bo eout from Christchurch. It is expeoted that tho to3ting by the. Vancouver teßt this year will lead to a solid development of export trade next season. The shipment will be watched, all over tho Dominion, and tho returns awaitedwith great interest.

A Vlce-Regal Visit. I>uring their &tay in Napier last week His Excellonoy tho Governor and tho Countess of Liverpool paid a visit to Davis's' poultry-phuit, Napier South, and were very greatly interested in this model . 'poultry establishment. The Countess of Liverpool, who is a keen poultry fancier and has been a very successful exhibitor of many, vanetiea of poultry in the Old Country, and who this season won the, North Island championship for Buii: Pekin bantams, eixpressed herself as delighted not only • at tho high general quality of the stook, but also at the well-built jind thoroughly up-to-date poultry houses and, appointments, the excellence of the arrangements, and stated that the establishment was the best appointed of its •kind Bhe had seen.

Answers to correspondents.

"H.G.," Hataitai: Machines vary ac- • cording to make in the time taken tq heat tho eggs through. Do not forco tlie temperaturo. It will not hurt if it should take 24 hours to

reaoh 103. - "Ibid." : Your request to work out ny.er> ages each week would give little .in■fonnation. Tho wintor, autumn, and ' yearly averages are always given, at "the"end of the test. These aro what' you should study. ' "Leghorn," Wollington: Broken eggs will result if tho henß ore frightened and ohased, as is probably beinc done. Oyster-shell ground should prevent soft shells. Perhaps you are toroing the birds too much. Try feeding grain only for a few days. I! ,no improvement |s noticed you may count the complaint chronio. "Ibid.": It is not a good polioy to breod from pullets. ' You may apparently do well lor a season, but the effect will soon be noticed in small ©gßjs and weakly stock. The birds should at least lay thirty eggs before breading from them if you are compelled to use pullets. Second and • third year hens are the beat birds to breed from, and give most satisfactory results. • ; '"G.H.," Hutt: You should most cor- . tainly support the company. It is tlie , intention of the directors to mate it mutually helpful to producers. Co- ■' operation cannot fail to .bo of ■ great value to the industry. Cool Brooders. ' Few discoveries have done more to revolutionise the poultry industry than "the fireloss brooder. The . brooder in the' lamp style is expensive, and costs several pounds, while the fireloss brooder can bo purqhasod for a. few shillings. The broodors give.every satisfaction in their work, and Taise the chiokens in a hardy manner. Tho heat is retained by contact with another and retained by coverlets, or quilts. On a largo plant iireless brooders may entail moro labour, but for tho Bmall poultry-koeper it is an effective and economical method of raising chicks. About 50 chicks should be placed under each hour.