CHRISTMAS BIRDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 8

CHRISTMAS BIRDS.

CHEAPER POULTRY WANTED.

BUYING ONLY FAIR

"The demand for good quality birds for Christmas has only been fair no far, said the head of the poultry department in one of the city marts, in reply to an inquiry to-day. "Yesterday the buying was fairly good, but to-day it has fallen off again." The demand, he added, was not even as good as last year, but perhaps this wae well, as good quality cockerels and drakes were scarce this season. "Generally speaking, are careful in their buying," he said. "But there is a much bigger demand for the cheaper poultry." Asked as to how turkeys were selling, he said the demand \va« only fair in that line, but the best quality birds had eold at up to over £L The smaller birde were selling from 7/ upwards.

The etocka of all birds were average, and the demand last year was better all round than this year. A good indication as to how birds are selling can be gleaned from the following average prices brought at auction: — Cockerels, prime birds, from 2/0 to 5/0; light breeds, best birds, 2/0 to 3/0; heavy breed, pullets, 3/ to 4/; and lighter breeds, same prices; young ducke and drakes, 2/ to 3/; geese, 4/ to 6/; turkey hens, 7/ to 10/; and gobblers, from *]2/ to 25/. The demand for geese was good, and there were a fair number in stock.