THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1919, Page 6

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

DEMONSTRATION AND LECTURE A demonstration-lecture on various matters affecting poultry farming was given on Thursday afternoon by Mr E. C. Jarrott, Government poultry instructor on Mr. T. Blanchett's plant at Vogeltown. Tliere was a good gathering of those interested in the industry. °Mr. Jarrott was introduced by Mr. Waller Scott, president of the Taranaki E<™ Circle HO Mr. Jarrett expressed his pleasure at being present to give a practical demonstration, especially as the request had come from an organised bodv, such as the Egg Circle. Ho did not intend booming poultry farming as n means of making a living, but recommended those desiring to go in for it to start in a small way and gradually increase their Hock as they saw it would bo profitable to do so. Tlir commercial egg should be the main aim of the poultry farmers, and not specialisation until the farmer was able to supply orders obtainable. The farmer often toui-.rt himself at the end of the season with msufficient laying birds to compensate him for his labor and outlay on plant, and this often resulted in his being led into breeding from inferior stock, from which it was never possible to get a profitible and egg-producing flock'of birds. Mr. I .Tarrett explained the policy of the department was to assist the small man. and the advantage that had bcc-i experienced from its efforts, and especially from the pamphlets cormiiled b v ;y[ r . Brown, the Department's 'chief expert, The speaker also stressed the value ot Egg Circles in the matter of ma.rket.in" produce. D Mr. Jarrett spent some time in dealing with the question of incubation and the rearing of chickens, stressing the prime necessity of good breeding "stock with a strong constitution. No birds that had been affected by disease or ailments of any kind should be put in the breeding pens, nor did he advise the breeding from pullets during their first laying season. The second season was the best, and they should be mated with well matured birds. Forcing foods were condemned in the ease of breeding fowls, as they tended to produce chicks of low vitality. Eggs should be carefully selected, and he" as fresh as possible. While the natural means of hatching out chicks was impossible to beat, he could lay down no hard and fast rule for the artificial incubation. Climatic conditions and the difference 'in the make of incubators" all had to be taken into consideration. The speaker described the general system of incubation and brooding, and 'issued a warning against prolonging the hatching waso^' Mr. Blanchet.t's spacious " brooder house made a capital place for demonstration purposes, and Mr. Jarrett was able by answering a number of questions, to explain manv points which various members of tlie gathering desired cleared up. He advocated hatching the flock as nearly as possible at the one time, culling during the chicken stage, and allowing birds to reach maturity before expecting the e<«r supply. During the growing sta»e he advocated oat-feeding, and for the laying period a mixture of two parts of wheat and one of maize, increasing the maize as the season advanced. If n-reen bone or fresh meat were not available a ration of dried blood or meat meal should be fed to the birds. A milk diet was the best egg-producing food. The speaker dealt with the dangers at the present season from the intestinal worm, and recommended periodical doses of one ounce each of Epsom salts and sulphur in the mash to about every 12 or 16 hens. Two doses shquld be given with a day between, about once a month until about February. Broody hens should be watched closely, and taken out into a separate coop at once and fed well in order to be brought back to laying as quickly as possible. If this was done it would prevent birds moulting before the proper season. At the conclusion of the demonstration a very cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Jarrett was carried with acclama« tion. In returning thank".. Mr Jarrett also expressed his persona! thanks and those of the Department to Mr. Blanohett for opening his plant for the purpose of the demonstration.

A special vote of thanks was m.c, r( i to Mr. "Blaiifliett, wlio had also entertained the visitors to afternoon tea Mr. Jarrett will he in the district for several days yet. and demonstrations are being arranged in other localities. He expects to return and give further demonstrations in the culling season.