A NEW DEPARTMENT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 313, 7 November 1929, Page 3

A NEW DEPARTMENT.

* ; AT MASSEY COLLEGE. ; T ' Mjhrked Progress Recorded. starting a poultry department the present serious depression in the industry the college have undertaken to assist a valuable branch of farming. The results will be far more beneficial than generally anticipated. ’ This statement was made by Mr J. H. fLissling, poultry instructor, when reporting to the Massey College Council. << lt ig very satisfactory to note that the. public are taking quite an interest, in the inception of poultry work at this college. Several gifts have been received. Further, in an article appearing in one of the local papers on September 7, it was stated, that there is talk amongst poultry men that it would now be possible to organise egg-laying competitions at the college and that such would be very welcome to the industry in this part of the Dominion. It is conceded that Canada

leads the world for successful commercial egg production and her success is a . solely due to the assistance given to poultrykeepers by their Universities -sand their Department of Agriculture. Wide Possibilities ‘‘Many of those who have failed uy poultry farming in New Zealand have done so owing to lack of experience, Insufficient knowledge of local requirements, and no organised marketing system. The recent depression has aroused considerable comment and cri-

ticism of the industry, but from it is developing n marketing and pulp con system which will greatly assist Pphe producer. With training and experience, a natural aptitude for/ the work and a capital of not less than £ISOO the average man can earn a good living-room pbultry alone, and, as a side-line for farmers and smallholders, poultry keeping has wide possibilities. Climatic conditions are ideal and housing and feeding costs are far less than the average. The high egg xefeords made by single test competition birds prove that we can produce stud stock for export purposes and, whilst the industiy depends on commercial egg Production for local consumption, the nigh prices paid for registered pedigree stock are such that this export trade could easily be worked up and it is expected that the college will encourage and assist this line of our industry.

Poultrykeepers in New Zealand badly need university assistance. The poultry instructors of the Department of Agriculture are doing excellent work, but cannot half cope with the demand for instruction. The college, with a well conducted farm for demonstration purposes, combined with a system for thoroughly training students, more especially boys from 16 to 21 years, will be able to turn out men well fitted to take responsible positions or start on their own. In the ]past it has been almost impossible to obtain experience and "training in poultry work and equally difficult for established poultry farmers to obtain capable * and trained assistants. Layout of Section

“The poultry site Having beien ploughed and levelled, the present appearance is not attractive, but when completed and grass sown this department should be one of the show places of '’the college. Provision has been made for 1000 layers which is usually enough for a “one-man farm. 9 ’ Both intensive and free range pens are used as t whilst the intensive system is more suited for those situated near a city, the free range system is still in vogue on some farms. There is sufficient land available for? extension and also for an egg-laying- test should the public' demand warrant one. “One intensive laying shed, 96 x 15 feet was completed in 10 days by August 15 and is toeing used as a brooder’ house for the chicks purchased. A similar shed is under construction and Irwill be ready to house the pullets as they mature. These two sheds will accommodate 800 layers in units of 50 birds. Two small, free range movable sheds will each hold 100 layers—these have been built in the cliffs paddock. To house the specially donated breeding stoek (50 birds) six small breeding pens built in groups of three are just completed. These pens will each have a double grass run. Feed room, tool shed and office are built in one shed and are nearly completed, whilst the € gg room and incubator room will be ready in good time. The feed room appears large but no elaborate fittings are used and the space is essential for the storage of feed and the mixing of mash. All buildings are designed to carry a maximum number of birds at low a cost as possible.