POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2781, 27 May 1916, Page 13

POULTRY INDUSTRY

(By Ohantecler.) Eggs in England. During tlie past winter eggs realised up to -As. a dozen, the highest on record. I'or-'scvernl weeks eg-ga were so scarce that they were not even quoted in market reports, its they woi'o so difficult to secure. They claim to become an ai'ticle of commerce. The ivar is the causa of the shortage, supplies usually obtained. from the Continent being absolutely cut off. The production of eggs iu lingland is inadeiiuate to meet the demands of the Home trade. Every fanner, back-yarder, and suburban residont in England is being urged to produce eggs. In its hour of need, tlie producer is regarded as an important factor in the.Empire's salvation. One writer says: "Wo asci'ibo an ugly name to the able young man who shrinks from answering his country's call to arms. Do not, then, those upon whom we aru dependent for cheap tood in days • like this, who fail to make good tho efforts expected of them, deserve an equally opprobious brand?" The high price of eggs in England will surely teach poul< trymen the absolute necessity of more careful breeding for the prolific layer. The fancy has such a hold, in England that the utility qualities of poultry have been sacrificed, and only a few devote attention to egg production. Just as surely as tho possession of poor layers in Now Zealand has created enthusiasm, so in England we may look for increased interest in tho utility bird. It must be apparent to England that the .£8,000,000 spent annually in importing foreign egg 3 could bo kept largely amonj* her own people by increased production on her own soil. Preparedness. How essential to success is preparation. Tho farmer that neglects to fallow .his ground or sow his seed in season misses the harvest. The gardener, the orchardist, tho apiarist all know the valuo of preparation. Many poultrymen know its value, yet are tempted to postpone preparation for winter eggs. Why are eggs so scarce, and why are so many producers losing the high winter prices? The sole cause is want of preparation. Too late in mating, too late in hatching and rearing chickens, with the result that the season goes, and when tho winter comes tho birds are immature and nnfit for tho winter egg 6upply. Many producers are forcing their pullets now, and ia addition to small eggs will ruin the constitution of the birds. Xou cannot cram six months' growth into foui months' space without paying heavily the pena>lty Nature is sure to enforce, A. lot of inexperienced writers and advisers of poultry have advocated Octobei hatching for eggs in winter. They declare birds will (jo into moult if hatched earlier, and fail to respond when the high-priced eggs are due. Wo have ad. rocatod early hatching for years, and know its value. Chiclcs hatched in August'and September are the best for winte.v eggs. You can give them an extra month or two to mature. There is no need of forcing, from which come small eggs, false moults, and stunted frames, When - you hear a producer talking of ■how his pullets lay their -first eggs 1 at four to four and lialf months old, he has a lot to learn. It speaks well for his force-feeding, but little for his judgment. We allow our birds six to seven months to mature aud twolvo dozen oggs daily from 300 pullets at 2s. 3d. a dozen are surely tho class 'of _ evidence readers of these notes are looking for. If any producer is doing better, we shall be glad for him to toll us how it is done.

Are You Getting Ready? One great .mistake beginners are apt to mako is breeding from pallets. In singular instances the practice may be adopted, but it 19 not for tlie novice to go on these lines. Laying is a heavy tax oil a bird, and a pulley feels the strenuous test more than the hen. If you anticipate breeding chickens, buy some good second-year hens. Keed full and plenty. From tttem you may look for strong chickens that will be easy to raise and -fill the egg basket next winter. Mate up in July with a good vigorous male bird. After being mated a fortnight, the eggs may be saved. Then hatch' out every chick you can, right on. to tho end of September. Give the chicks every • care, • but don't forco/them . with wet mashes or meal foods. Let them develop slowly, and when winter comes you will gather in the eggs to pay for. their keep. A New Egg Tester. , ' "I'or years we have .considered the process :ot tastnuf eggs for fertility a Borious menace to embryonic cliick life. Unless the.work is (lone .with extreme care, a lot of chicks will die in the shell or fail to develop. As soon as the germ life begins to develop, the little capillaries that carry the blood around the centre germ are very sensitive. .At the testing ive always noted a number of eggs that had died,off. To our mind this was caused through rupture, resulting in death to .the embryo. If we could only have a tester that -would avoid the handling of eggs it would effect a great saving in chick life. It i» pleasing to note that an electric tester has now been inveuted that will obviate the handling of tho eggs during the first, few days of incubation. The tester is placed on the egg, and by means of a reflector the eggs can be tested out for fertility. It is certain this will mean much saving o{ labour as well as injury to the eggs. Education of the Young,. Poultry-keeping may be a hobby of the young. It is astonishing what interest boys will take in a few layers, especially if we allow; them to sell the eggs to buy the feed. It makes them feel quite important. In South Africa poultry lectures are being given in the schools to encourage poultry production by tho young. The system is bearing good results. The.South Africans are very enthusiastic in tho production. of poultry. It is their intention to clip off some of that <58,000,000 spent annually by England for imported eggs and poultry. To begin with the young is to them the best policy to secure this end, The; Egg Supply. . With a few warm • days we may look for a great increase in the egg 6upply. Already we note the hens are getting back, to work after their rest, occasioned by the moult. Feed full and plenty now, ; and-.the productive organs vnli respond in a better egg supply. With thousands af ' pullets also coming; into the lay, ;we may look for tho market to bo better supplied. i N.Z. UTILITY POULTRY CLUB'S NEW •, COMPETITIONS. The official results of the sixth week of the Now- Zealand Utility Poultry Club's twelfth egg-laying competition for fowls tho week ended Tuesday, May 23, are as '• ■ V LIGHT BREEDS.

Total Total for to „ V, 4, ' „, week. date. Verrall Bros., B.L 25 {45 Brackenfield/Farm, B.L 22 99 W. Davcy, W,L 30 94 J. B. Jlerrett, W-L 24 ' 143 E. G. Shearman, W.L. 21 97 Heretaunga Poultry Co. W.L. ... 18 31 It. Ball, '.W.Ii. .; 30 130 JI. A. Gurrln, .W.L ... 24 • 77 Dalmuiri Poultry." Yards, W.L. ... 25 161 Mrs. II., Graham,, W.L 25 80 J. Wordsworth, t.'W.L 14 39 H. E. Boss, W.Li ;... 29 92 li. H. James, W.L 27 60 C. J. Norton, W.L. .... 24 118 Alfred Eaton, W-L; 29 138 It. H. Walker, W.Il. 20 73 Green Bros. (No. 2) 18 121 H. Lecer, W.L. '26. 58 J. Nancarrow, W.Ii/-..,...:...;..... 1 ..... 1 28 119 Colder Bros., W.L, V 25 147 It. Pouusford, W.L;, 24 '96 A. W. Adams, W.L..': 31 109 A. T. Phillips,'W.L'..' 30 141 T. Kennedy, W.L. <...... 14 48 V. J. Hill, W.L 31 111 B..P. L. Clayson, W.L, 23 124 T. E. Conway, W.L."', 26 74 lleretJiunga Poultry Coy. (No. 1), W.L t6> 114 Bangiuru Eptg Bancli, 1 W.L 29 130 s. Dick, W.L 25 92 G. Gee, W.L 24 128 H. C. Yates, W.L. 26' 118 E. P. Amyes, W.L; 23 160 A. E. Wilson, W.L. .;L;:.;.v:............ 24' 122 Mrs. J. Mills, W.L..24 92 A. G. Brailey, W.L.. .;.;.-.«.i.!..,...u.... 7 63 Green Bros. ('No. 1), W.L.'-.'..;....... 22 111 Atkinson Bros., W.L. 30 101 A. A. Ilonre, W.L. 21 92 L. T. Wright.' W.L. : 27. 55 To Anau Utility Stud, ;.W.L.- 17 96 T. Jl'liwraith, W.L. 5 6 ■K. A. Lazarus,." W.L.. 25 107 It. W. Bower, W..L ....:.. 14 85 H. S. Woodnorth, W.L 20 92 ' if'ilsowhitu Poultry Co., W.L. ... 17 127