POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 222, 19 August 1937, Page 16

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) “Why worry about the price going down if tho yield goes up?” asks a satisfied producer, adding that it is very unlikely that high prices and flush conditions obtain at tho same time. The lowering of prices is caused by tho operation of the old law of supply and demand, which is unalterable under present conditions. It would seem then that the very early downward trend in prices is because of an abundant supply. How this comes about is perhaps accounted for when we consider that almost summer-like weather is being experienced all over tho country. Tho story would bo different did wo have cold, wet conditions prevailing. Even the ordinary backyard bird is now laying, adding its quota to an abundant supply Hence tho lowered prices. There is a lesson in all this to tho poultryman, who ever looks for profit. Fowls kept under insanitary conditions never pay. Cold sloppy runs will put the best of birds out of action. Winter eggs would be well nigh an impossibility were it not that where dry, free range is not available good dry scratching sheds arc provided. It is yet too early to begin complaining over prices. There is plenty of time for the cold, wet snaps, which react on the egg yield. Then it is that the producer who can supply tho goods will reap a harvest of profit. Many must have been doing so during the past winter months. Conditions, have been all in theii favour.

Registration returns are required by the Queensland Egg Board from all persons resident in the area controlled by the board, keeping 50 or more fowls. In New Zealand the number is 25, and theve are insistent demands that this number should be greatly reduced.

“I refuse to be stampeded into price cutting,” says a poultry-breeder. ‘‘lf people want good eggs, chicks, or stock, • they will have to pay me prices that return me a fair return for my years of labour and study in breeding!” Who blames any man who is sure he is giving value for such a stand. An everreducing influence on prices can only end one way; that is, in a market flooded with inferior stock. No true poultryman wishes for that. Peed voui bleeders well and bo sure there is in the food a well-balanced ration. Poor food for breeders can only end in weakened vitality in the progeny, and where is the poultryman who can achieve success on such lines?

Many English breeders who have the advantage of large range now make it a seasonal custom to turn out all breeding hens in the late summer on free range with only a grain feed. They are run under these invigorating conditions until they have moulted and are required for mating. Contrast this with the systems of others who crave only for eggs. They do not mind sapping tho strength of their birds to the last egg, and then after a brief spell putting them into the breeding pen. Is it to be wondered that there are then weakened stock? A very substantial yet neat incuba-tor-house has been built by an Australian at a small cost. The walls are built with earth, and a splendid job is tbe outcome. Describing the method of construction. Poultry says:—‘‘To build such a wall posts 9 inches in diameter are placed in the ground 10 feet apart. These are hoarded up with strong planks on both sides, leaving a cavity of 9 inches. No foundation trench is required. First remove all leaves or loose soil before the first layer of soil is put into the mould. Use poor quality loamy soil only. At first a layer of 6 inches of soil is put in; this is rammed down as firmly as possible, and another layer added, and so on until the desired height is reached The boards may be removed immediately and if the job has been done properly there will bo no crumbling of the walls. All that now lemnins is the roof, door, and window. The wall can be improved greatly in appearance by a thin cement wash. Note: Sandy soil is usoless. Walls can be made to any thickness but beyond 9 inches is not necessary.” The idea seems alright. Perhaps there arc those who will try it out. Just how rats and other enemies of the fowl are kept out is not stated. It can hardly be thought that cement wash would create a barrier to them.