POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 15

POULTRY INDUSTRY

(By Chantecler.) High Cost Feeds, Tho poultry industry is severely handicapped in tho mutter of lngh-pricctl fowls. Scores of poultry-kpopors liavo either sold out their flocks or largely reduced their holdings. Tliero seems o bo littlo likelihood of wheat being reduced in price, while pollni'd and bran aro iinproiitable feeds at tho prices aslcod tor them. Hud it liot been for tlio largo number of young men who liavo left our shores, and tho alsenco of shipping passenger trado on tho big liners, eggs woukt have been scarce and dear this winter. As a further prevention to high prices, a large number of eggs havo been coot stored, and American eggs have rencliwl • our market in largo quantities this y°. al "' thus prices havo not reached the high mark of previous years. It will mean an advantage to poultry kcopors, as Uio public will continue eating oggs, and there will bo a bettor demand for tlio spring supply. Those wlio havo Asold their birds havo sold their hens and not their pullets, hence the winter supply is not affected to such an extent. The eggs should show a better prico tins summer, and it is then poultrymen should obtain a fair Toturn for their produce. The supply will bo greatly lessened while the demand for eggs will bo heavy for preserving purposes. If pouitrvmen show a combined front, they can get an extra two or threepence per dozen this summer, and this will be far moro profitable than looking for high prices m winter. The Export Trade.

Tho export trade of eggs from Zealand makes a very poor showing compared with the large quantities that reach us from America. Our methods of shipment have been faulty, and investigation is badly needed. Tlio Union Steam Ship Company have done their best to keep temperatures to a required degree, and yet the eggs from Now Zealand arrived in had condition. Tho Department of Agriculture has gone to a lot of trouble to get matters remedied. They have received tho co-operation of the shipping company, and it is expected the result will be further experiments on improved methods. The following report has been sent to the shipping company, who asked Mr. Merrett to investigate the matter on their behalf as well as on behalf of the poultrymen:—

Christchurch, April 26, 1915. Manager, U.S.S. Co., Ltd., Dunedin. Dear Sir,—l have to report .having visited Wellington and • thoroughly inspected the eggs that arrived from San Francisco per the s.s. Moana, with a view of comparison with eggs sent to Vancouver which arrived in such unsatisfactory condition. The cold storage of eggs is a comparatively new commercial undertaking, and to discover the exact relative humidity most suitable for effectual carriage is always a problem. If the eggs are carried at boo dry a temperature evaporation is the result, while if too moist, mould is produced. To assign the cause of the bad condition in which the eggs arrived in Vancouver had caused a dead loss of ,£6OO, the following propositions were considered:—

1. The eggs were either delivered to tho ship's chamber in a faulty condition, or; 2. In transit the temperature was too variable, resulting in an excess of moisture producing mould. In the consideration of No. 2, I made a close comparison of the temperatures at which the eggs were kept on the trip to Vancouver and the eggs that arrived from San Francisco to Wellington. An examination of tlie lloana chamber at Wellington did not disclose tho slightest sign or moisture. The overhead pipes wore thoroughly dry and free from frost. The out-outs being used on the overhead pipes left absolutely do chance for drip. Tho eggs were in a perfectly dry condition; and of fair quality. While the grade of eggs was inferior to those we export, tho quality was good and such as to command trade. Prom the evidenco of these eggs I can only concludo that from tho ship's point of view the blame doe 3 not lie in this direction. For a_ solution of the problem proposition No. 1 has been considered. In the transference of the eggs from tho chilling chamber on land to that in tho 6hip, the moisture condenses and the eggs sweat. If placed in the ship's chamSer in this condition mould is sure to result and tho eggs, fillers and cases will be kept in a state of moisture. From the American cases I note the wood is absolutely dry, while the same care has not been exercised in the cases used for the New Zealand oggs to Vancouver. To remedy matters, shippers will have to exercise -more caro in placing the eggs on board ship, and, if possible, avoid cold storage on land or allow the eggs to drv down before transhipment. It would be preferable to store eggs in a cellar or other pool place for a weok or two rather than in the chillers. . Further experiments should bo mado m tiie smallest ship's chambers; and if placed direct from the packers into tho shin s hold I feel certain better results will bo obtained—Tours faithfully (Sgd.) J. B. Merrett.