HUMAN “BIRDS OF PREY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 10

HUMAN “BIRDS OF PREY”

LOW-FLYING AIRPLANES SCARE POULTRY EGG-PRODUCERS COMPLAIN Poultry has an ingrained fear at the sign of any bird of prey. Thus, with the terrific roar of an airplane flying low, hens plunge into a maddening fear and scatter blindly for cover. Invariably in the wild rush they dash against the wire-netting, causing a shock to their nervous system which results in a “false moult” and destroys their capacity for laying eggs. This forms the basis of several complaints which have been made to the Auckland Egg Producers’ Association by poultry-keepers in the Henderson district. The affair is to be discussed at a meeting of the association this evening.

There are about 200 poultry-keepers in the Henderson district, many of them farming up to 2,000 birds each. Although it is stated that considerable harm has been caused over the past three months by airplanes Hying low, it is felt that the matter should now be given immediate attention, as September is the hatching season for the chicks. An airplane flying at a high altitude does not affect the birds. A member of the association, in discussing the subject, said that the poultry industry, valued at £3,500.000 a year, was of too much importance to the country to be menaced by lowflying airplanes. The industry would be greatly prejudiced if the Government did not take some steps in regard to the recent complaints made. Li was suggested that maps showing the egg -producing districts in Auckland should be supplied to the Auckland Aero Club for distribution among the pilots.

Interviewed concerning the complaints, Major G. A. C. Cowper, instructor to the Auckland Aero Club, was emphatic in his assurance that no pilot members had at any time flown low to cause inconvenience to poultrykeepers. All of the club’s machines carried large number plates, which could be read at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and if any complaints were made it was only fair that they should be substantiated with the description of planes and the time of the alleged offence.

• According to the regulations, the minimum altitude from the ground over populated areas was 1,500 feet, and in unpopulated areas a height not considered to be dangerous to the public.