The Poultry Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, 30 October 1902, Page 2

The Poultry Meeting.

Last night at the Public Hall, Mr D. D, Hyde, the Government Poultry Expert, gave his promised lecture on the poultry industry before a good audience.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. Hennessy), in introducing Mr Hyde said he had much pleasure in doing so, and he would no doubt explain how a fortune could be made out of poultry. Mr Hyde said it was his first visit to Foxton, and he found that the district was eminently suitable for poultry raising. There was a great deal to learn to be successful, and those who had alrady embarked in it, still found they had something to learn. It was full of detail, and the dairy industry would have to hurry up or else the poultry industry would run it very close. In keeping poultry cleanliness was the first essential, and some people had an impression that fowls were better that were allowed to roost in trees than being under cover. Such was not the case, the fowls should be comfortably housed, and kept perfectly clean. Any building or shed could be used providing it was well ventilated, and not draughty. By being housed the fowls have a feeling of security, the perches being placed low down on a level, and twice a year the interior of the fowl-houses and nest boxes should be thoroughly lime-washed, and he also advised the dipping of the ends of the perches in kerosene once a week to prevent vermin congregating. These moveable perches are shown in the next pamphlet which is now about to be issued, and are so constructed that it is a very simple matter to remove them and carry out the dipping process. In fact, a lazy or careless man should not go into the business, as to be successtul attention must be first paid to cleanliness, and- to all details that are connected with poultry-breeding. The old step-ladder style that is generally adopted is a mistake, and there was no occasion for the perches to be more than 18 inches from the ground, By the" old system the birds invariably try to get on the top perch, which is generally near the roof, and the air they breathe becomes vitiated, and disease follows. The perches should also be made of sound timber, as the cracks will harbour vermin. By careful selection ot your fowls, and breeding from them you can keep a hundred fowls to the acre. It was a mistake to attempt to keep halt-a-dozen breeds of fowls, as each breed would require a separate run, thereby adding to the expense, The best laying bens were

always found to be the first off the perch in the morning, and were scratching up the seeds in the garden it given the opportunity. Old hens Stiould not be kept, and he advised getting rid of all stock after the second period o! laying. In speaking of the present demand for poultry, Mr Hyde gave some instances of the enormous quantities that are required to meet the local demand and for export, and whilst 40,000 old hens were sent to South Africa last year, the demand was still four times greater than the supply. To give a local instance he would mention that four of the leading caterers in Wellington had used iao* 000 dozen eggs during the year, and then ware short. Only the best poultry and eggs should be offered for Bale, as when the product is offered in an inviting condition, it not only brings a higher price, but more was consumed. Eggs that are allowed to remain in the nests get covered with dirt, and should be gathered twice a day. He was also of the opinion that eggs and poultry should be sold by weight. The feeding of fowls also required attention, and a great mistake was made by poultryraisers that any kind of food will do for poultry. The fowls appreciated a change, and the food should be frequently altered. The drinking water must also be kept in the shade, and the vessels thoroughly cleansed with hot water occasionally. It was absolutely necessary that fowls should be provided with sharp grit, and the mistaken kindness of the poultry-raiser in over-feeding his stock is quickly found out by the shrinkage in the eggs produced- Mr Hyde mentioned the birds which were suitable to be raised lor the table, and he would not advise the heavy breeds for farmers to keep, the good old English Dorking being in his opinion the most suited to the district. By either preserving or the cool storage process, ho thought eggs should soon maintain the price of is per dozen all the year round, Mr Hyde then dwelt on the advantages of the incubator in hatching but chickens to produce winter layers, and in concluding his address thanked audience for their patience in listening to his remarks, and said he would be very pleased to answer any questions that anyone desired to put to him. At the close of his address Mr Hyde was heartily applauded, and frequently during the evening when his remarks were concise and to the point. Mr Speirs asked what kind of incubator was the best, and Mr Hyde said he had no hesitation in saying the “ Prarie State " was the best. Mr Baker asked what breed was the best for market and Home purposes? Mr Hyde said the Buff-Orpxdgtoo was the most preferable. Mr Ray asked if spraying the fowls was of any use. Mr Hyde said that handling the birds as he had explained was the correct way. Mr King asked if purebred or any particular cross was the best. Mr Hyde said he believed that, keeping purebred only was the best system, as the birds were always of marketable value, but first crosses were also good. Mr England asked how large the grit should be for matured birds, and Mr Hydo said that bits of crockery, glass, &a. f should not hi larger than the size of a finger nail, and he also explained how the birds were mo fed about in moveable hoilsai on the Siata Farm at Momahaki, where the birds had new ground to run over continually. In reply to numerous other questions Mr Hyde said that hens should sit in boxes instead of nests in the fields; turkeys wera profitable to keep, as lOd per ib oould always ba obtained. Turkeys were better it a'lowed to run semi-wild, and a change of breed was necessary every year. The Mayor said he had listened to Mr Hyde’s address, and he could substantiate what Mr Hyde had remarked’ as to the probable price for eggs, as he had received an enquiry for an unlimited supply at gd per dozen delivered at the railway station. The pamphlets Mr Hyde had promised would be given to those who required them. He asked for a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hyde for his profitable and interesting lecture. Mr S. H. Baker seconded the motion which was carried with applause. s Mr Hyde said be hoped his remarks would be taken kindly, and if at any time there was anything else he could do to forward the industry in this district he would be very pleased to do so. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, which terminuted the meeting.