THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 14

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Does Poultry Keeping Pay? Wo may well revert to this haekneyc<l old question as there aro still a number of ineredibles who believe that the poultry business is a trap for unsuspecting; innocents. For those who persist in hunching into it without experience it is, no doubt, a business of failure, but this is the case in any phase of life. Poultry farming for a living is dependent for success upon tlio cell in the brain rather than themuscle of the arm. Plenty of beginners enter the work with an idea that there is little to learn, and yet there is no branch of agriculture that opens up a much greater study than poultry keeping. With that knowledgo and experience poultry keeping is profitable. A glanco at the. competition returns just ended and a study of the statement of the club's accounts (published in this issue) must assure anyone that poultry keeping has possibilities. Though the profit of 12s. 10d. per bird is not the best average obtained in conipetitions, it may be taken as a guide to what birds can do. The club's feed bill could bo more economically met under private enterprise, though the average of eggs .laid by a flock would be less. Rigid culling, "full and plenty" feeding, labour-saving appliances, and good healthy laying stock (if supervised by a man of experience and common sense) make poultry farming profitable, and will ensure success.

Tlie Cospel of Cleanliness. Dr. Morse, one of the lending scientists in poultry studies in America, lias just published an excellent paper on cleanliness. He attributes the- want of success experienced by many poultry keepers to tlio need of healthy birds, cleanliness, clean water, clean food, clean eggs, cleanincubators and brooders. It makes one despondent to visit sonic poultry plants where cleanliness is neglected. No wonder people do not succeed in getting eggs. Fifty per cent, of the 'writer's young stock (numbering 300) are laying now, with eggs at 2s. per dozen. How many poultry keepers will believe, that the presence of vermin is the cause of a fall in egg production? Red .mite abound in thousands, ami sap tlio vitality from the layers. Their surplus > food is used to feed these parasites, instead of helping eggs. Unclean yards, especially those covered with mud, are bound to go against egg production. . Indeed, it would be a miracle if some fowls bid considering the conditions under which thoy are kept. It is not much use feeding; a'warm mash-to keep , up-ani-mal lwat -if • tho runs are. "wet and muddy. It is labour, in vain. To get the habit of cleanliness is to make for success.

Maize as Poultry Food. Now that the winter is approaching let mo urge poultry men to use maizo freely. Tlio best way to feed it is tb mix up half cracked maize and half wheat. The birds will relish this, and tlio poultry keener will find that in a; few days they will show a preference for maize. Some twenty years ago some fancier who had fed maizo to a hen cooped up for exhibition started thecanard that maizo was too fattening for a laying hen. Well, he never really knew what a, laying hen was. This old idea is hard to root out. Egg production can bo increased by feeding maizo. This year it is as cheap as wheat; and poultry men who have learned its value arc making free use of it. Feeding hens constantly on wheat must surely result in digostivo troubles. Give, tho hens a change by feeding maize.

UTILITY POULTRY CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. ■ The annual meeting of the, New Zealand Utility Poultry Club was held at Christchurch on April 25. Mr. A. Smith presided over a large attendance. Tho annual report showed that tho year had been a good one, and that tho sixth egg-laying competition had been tho most successful held so far. Now records had been established by tho two leading pens for twelve months, and,by other pens for the four winter months, one month and .seven days.. A total of G4,100 eggs were laid by the 324 birds in tho competition during tho eleven months, and had realised £311 10s. Id., equal to 12s. 10d. per bird, after tho cost of feeding (£lO3 12s. 3d.) had been paid. Tho prijio monoy awarded had amounted to I £55. Tho Studholmc tests wero an important feature of tho competitions. Tho returns for tho duck egg-laying competition had been disappointing, tho profit per bird only amounting to Is. 9i|d. after paying cost of feeding. The second duck test had been commenced under moro favourable conditions, and its prospects were considered to bo brighter. Tho executive, recommended that future competitions should bo limited ■to fifty weeks. Tho financial position of the club was satisfactory. Tho executive* suggested that as £75 had been expended on tho construction of new houses for tho present cqmpotitions further Government assistanco should be asked for. i Tho - balance-sheet showed:—

) (By Chantecler.)

Tho feathers were sold by auction on December 8. by Messrs. Halo and Son, London, and realised as follow: per Hi. s. d. No. I—l bale dark fowl-feathers (I 2J No. 2—l bale- dark iowl-feathers II '22 No. 3—l bull) dark fowl-feathers 0 2} No.'! —1 bnlo mixed fowl-feathers 0 4 No. Jα—l bag white fowl-leathers 0 S No. .) —I-bale dark fowl-fcathcrs f) 2-3 No. G—l bale dark duck-feathers 1 0 No. 7 —l bale dark fowl-feathers 0 '2{ No. B—l halo white duck-feathers 1 7 Nos. 0 to ]"—9 bales fowl and duck feathers (mixed) 1 7.

MARKET FOR FEATHERS.

Tho High Commissioner has forwarded a. r,cporfc by tho Produce Commissioner, dated December 13, upon thp sain of a consignment of fowl aud duck feathers shipped by tho Live. Stock and Meat Division of the Departmeat.

NOTES.

Mr. F. Hawko asked tho Hon. D. Buddo last week whether th.ere would bo any possibility of the Utility Poultry Club receiving a grant from the Agricultural Department to assist in its experimental work in breeds of poultry. Mr. Buddo said that if a petition were prepared he would be pleased to present it to tho Department.

A meeting of tho C'hristchurch Poultry Club was held at tho rooms on April '25. Tho president presided, and therq was a good attendance of members. The work in connection with the club's show was reported as progressing favourably, and in consequenco of the increasing work it was decided to meet weekly. Tho secretary reported having received numerous inquiries from now and intending exhibitors for schedules. Complete arrangements were made for tho taking of entries.

At tho meet ing of, tho New Zealand Utility Poultry Club on April 25, tho president, Mr. A. Smith, in speaking of poultry farming, said that he was not going to say that young fellows would make money at tho business, but he would say that it would help them to pay their rent. If the work of the club helped cottagers and small farmers iu that direction, it would do some good.

NEW ZEALAND UTILITY POULTRY CLUB.

SEVENTH EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. APRIL 1, 1911, TO MARCH 31, 1912. Official report for tho fourth week ended April 26:— last Total Week's (o

SECOND DUCK EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. (ALL INDIAN RUNNEKS.) APEIL 1, 1911, TO MARCH 31, 1912. Official report for tho fourth week ended April 20: — '

SIXTH COMPETITION.

The following are the final scores of Iho six leading pens which were kept for the month of April lo complete a twelve months' record:— April. Tl. Ransiuru Kgg Ranch (Otaki), AV.L. .; 57 1521 W. 0. Sail (Oust), AV.L 22 1483 AV. Knight (Hutt), AV.L 27 1«7 A. Smith (Christclmrch), AV.L. 10 1115 G. 11. Bradford (Cuff), W.L. 11 13!B AV. Balch (Belfast), AV.I 11 1390 There were no changes in position during the month. The Ransiruru Esg Ranch's pen failed to reach the world's record (ISK) by 17 eggs.

DAY-OLD CHICKS, Sent by Post, from a grand selection of utility White Leghorns, brod for eggs, none batter; 20 Chicks, 255.; 50 Chicks, 525. Gd. Due to Hatch 20th May. Book now. Firele=s Brooder, on request, ss. extra. Adult Stock, from 10s. Gd.; Settings, 10=. Gd.;' Incubator , Lots. 455. per 100. Imported Australian Indian Knuner Ducks. Tho very best Runners for egg production. Won both this year's Hawkcj-bury College Laying Competitions and mniiv others. "G. Hogcrs's two pons: Settings (15 eggs), 215.; Clifford-Dunlop-.Farr's (\vorlci D cgß Tccpnl). one pen, Settings, 20s. Runner stock from August. -Write for circular now. H. LEGER, AVhibj Leghorn Specialist, Wereroa, Levin, X.Z.

Receipts. £ b. d. Balance at bank 11 17 11 Balance from fifth competition 78 8 6 Members' fees, 1910-11 26 7 0 Entry fees sixth competition 132 0 6 Entry fees, seventh competition : 139 10 0 Donations 32 0 0 Sales of eggs from fowls in sixth competition 356 11-11 Sales of eggs from ducks in first competition 32 17 10 Refunds received ■ 3 3 7 Miscellaneous receipts 5 18 7 £818 15 10 Expenditure. Bonus account 7 7 0 Insurance account 1 19 1 Rent of clubrooms, ground, and houses 42 10 0 Premium for lease- of ground and houso : 35 0 0 Legal expenses ., 16 0 Rates ( ; 2 18 0 Railage, cartages, and crates 21 5 fi Refunds 14 5 6 Secretary and caretaker's incidentals 17 11 8 Secretary's salary, sixteen month's 27 5 0 Prizo money, fifth competition 55 0 0 Prize money, sixth competition 61 12 0 Labour 198 14 8 Material for reconstructing buildings 95 15 6 Printing, advertising, and stationery 30 6 9 Fodder 143 8 10 Painting ... 23 10 0 Competition requisites 12 17 10 Sundry accounts ' 18 19 4 Cash at bank and in hand 7 2 G £818 15 10

Total. Date. G. H. Robinson (Chch.), B.O. ... 33 12G Heretaunga Poultry Co. (Silverstream), AV.L 32 100 T. Kennedy (Rangiora), S.AV. ... 27 300 A. Tisch (Dallington), AV.L 26 99 Hisses 31. and 31. Bradley (Papanui), AV.L si 08 A. R. Browne (Gr'nm'd'ws), AV.L. 35 81 Mrs. I?. II. Ilawke (Paiianui), W.L o 9 R3 T. Kennedy (Iiangiora), AV.AV. ... 20 81 A. E. Keut (Shirley). AV.I. 23 72 K. "Wills and Sons (Xew Brightoii), B.1.0 19 71 Heretaunga Poultry Co. (Silverstream), AV.L ;)1 fig A. E. Wilson (Shirley), AV.AV. ... IS H9 A. E. AVilson (Shirley), AV.L. ... 25 G3 K. Wills anil Sous (Xow Brighton), AV.L 1... 19 GO CI. II. Barnctt (Lew-ton), B.L. ... 16 55 Vcrrall Bros. (Swannanoa), AV.L. 15 55 A. II. Pacinian (Adelaide), AV.L. 22 51 T. Collins (Waiwetu), AV.L 23 '•" 51' Master Gordon AVilaon (Shirley), W.L 21 49 Edgar Hall (L. nutt), B.O 15 18 II. M. Banncbr (Kic'ton).AV.P.R. G 45 N. Solomon (AVostport), W.L. ... 17 13 A. B. 3Icnzics (Addington), B.C.W.L .....' 9 42 W. O. Sail (Oust), W.L 8 11 A.■]?. Broivno (Gr'mn'dows), W.L. 19 40 C. 31. Peek. (Avondale); B.O. ... 17 Si) W. Xixon (Bunvood), W.L. ... 21 39 W. Haplin (Gr'nm'dows), V/.L. 5 "3 Mrs. J. -Mills (Dunedin). W.L.... 12 38 G. Finn (Wellington), W.L. ... 11 % T). Y. Gibson (Herhert), W.L.... 20 ; 35 A. E. Kinncir (Adelaide). AV.L. 17 35 Eansiurn Egg Ranch > (Otaki), W.L 11 31 P. J. Keller (Kollestoii), W.L.... 13 32 W; Scull (Chch.), B.W. 9 32 A. Stevenson (Wellington), AV.L. U 31 II. Leger rWeraroa). AV.l 10 20 C. 31. Peek (Avondale) W.L. ... 15 28 W. G. Goodwin (Thames). AV.L. 8 27 II. Mmdnws (Spreydon) AV.L: ... 9 26 ThDin.is I'rcthey (3Iartinborouzh) B.L .-. 11 25 James Ashton (Hanmcr), S.AV. ... !) 24 A. W. Adams (Sheffield), S.AV...; 4 23 fi. Stewart (Normandy). AV.L.... 5 20 AV. Knight (Hutt), AV.L 5 19 James 3Iaxwell (Masterton), B.O. 5 10 C. Hammond (Kuakura). AV.P.R, 10 19 AV. Knight (nutt). Xo. 1 AV.L.... 9 17 P. J. Keller (Rolleston), C " S' 1C AW Xixon (Bunvood).-.AV.L 11, 15 C. L. Bridges (AVanganui). AV.L. 12 13 A. W. Irvine (Epsom), AV.L. ... i 10 J. AV. Green (St. Albans). AV.L. 0 9 A. AV. Irvine (Epsom), AV.L. ... -1 7 Dominion Poultry Plant (Coroinamlel); AV.L 2 2 G. H. Bradford (Cust), AA'.L. ... 0 0 G. H. Robin=on (Chch.), AV.L. ... fl • 0 AA'. Balcli (Belfast), AV.L 0 (1 T. Powthwaite (Auckland), AV.L. 0 0 A. 1'. n. Suthcrlaiul (Welling- ■ ton), W.P.R 0 0 Totals 811 2130

W. Knight (Hutt) 31 85 Hcrctauiiga Poultry Co. (Silverstream) 33 82 A. K. Browne (Greenmeadows) ... 21 51 I , . J. Keller (Rollcston) 5 !I2 T. Dou-thwaite (Avondalo) V, 2K S. II. Scott (Onohunga) 14 ii W. KnWit (Hutt) :i l.i T. H. Hall (Woraroa) in 11 AV. Hodgson (Cheviot) (i fl 'J'. StrniiK (Dnylcston) 2 2 S. IT. Scott fOnphimsra) 0 0 0. Ilninmnnrl (Runkiira) 0 n V. .\. O'Brien (Waihi) n n F. AVcbb (Levin) I) () Totals 1-13 3371