FINANCE, PLANT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 37, 13 February 1943, Page 4

FINANCE, PLANT

BIGGER EGG YIELD

BACKYARD RUNS INCREASE

Two major problems must be surmounted in the Government's campaign for increasing egg production. The first is the question of finance and the second the difficulty of getting buildings erected, in view of the manpower position in the. carpentry trade. The announcement that State Advances loans will be available at 4 per cent is construed as an earnest of the Government's desire to encourage producers to meet the unprecedented demand for eggs from the armed forces, and providing the terms of repayment are liberal, and allowances are made for increases in costs, most poultry-keepers will agree that one big hurdle to expansion has been overcome. In view of the experience of some reservists who are large poultrymen, before the armed forces appeal boards, there is some scepticism in the industry about suggestions that exemptions from service will now be more frequent. It is pointed out that not only must Grade 2 and 3 men be released, but also experienced breeders in Grade 1 if the most is to be made of the production drive.

Building Problem But even while many poultry farmers and their families are managing to maintain output with little or no labour, they assert that it is impossible to-day. to arrange for carpenters to erect runs and buildings, and a drastic change in building policy is needed if quick results from the current season are to be obtained.

"It seems the Americans want it both ways," commented one man, in referring to the big cemand for chicken and other poultry lines from the American troops. High prices were realised in some centres for poultry, and these would have a detrimental effect on the policy of conserving stock desired by the Government. It was, he said, all very well to appeal to the farmers' patriotism Most farmers would refrain from marketing birds and concentrate on breeding, but some would not, and the human factor could not be ignored. Another consideration is the danger of over-production after the war. In the past New Zealand has been able to supply her own egg requirements, and unless some workable plan has been adopted for the disposal of the large surplus when army _ orders cease post-war difficulties will confront the industry. Poultry-keepers would welcome an assurance that this problem has not been overlooked. Suburban Expansion There appears to be a growing tendency for suburban dwellers to run a few fowls, a development which will considerably assist the diversion of supplies to the fighting forces. Hatchers report a large increase in inquiries in recent weeks from small backyard producers, some of whom may be encouraged to operate on a full-time basis, providing they can augment their plant capacity. Stringent local body regulations concerning concrete runs and distances of runs from neighbouring boundaries have for long restricted home production of eggs in built-up areas, and some relaxation of the by-laws will be necessary before any large-scale expansion is possible in -such areas. How this difficulty has been overcome in England was referred to by one poultry-keeper. There birds are accommodated in cages about 18in square and kept in them for their laying life. The cages are sold in large quantities to fiat dwellers and suburban residents with confined space, and the results are said to be entirely favourable.