POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3173, 25 August 1917, Page 12

POULTRY NOTES

$ (By Chanticleer.)

\ AKSWKHS TO CORKESPOXDENTS. "J.H." -writes to know if Indian Runner ducks hatched last season aro suitable for breeding from this eoosou.. Answer.—Ducks may bo bred from at a younger ago than hons. They mature quickly, and after laying thirty eggs the bird is sot, and may bo used as a urecder. Still, second year birds are preferablo cither in heiiß or ducks. The drakes hatched last season are suitable for breeders, and may be used with food results. "L.11." writes to know why chickens are dying without any apparent cause. Answer—lt is difficult to know the reason without knowing the symptoms and coi.ditions. He states that ho has spread lime on the ground, Now, if the chickens have access to 'this it will cause, death. Lime in its raw state causes indigestion, and especially inflammation of the intestines. The linio must be removed or you will lose all the chickens. The Price of Eggs. Quite a furore has been caused in Christchurch by tho decision of the Canterbury Egg Circle not to sell first-grado eggs this spring under Is. 3d. per dozen. Large buyers are holding. off and are offering Is. 2d. Shops are retailing at Is. 3d., ■while a quantity of first-grade eggs submitted by auction only roalissd Is. 2d., seconds Is. Id. The circlo maintains that with wheat and pollard at such a price anything less than Is. 3d. will leave. no profit for producers. Aa six thousand do7.cn eggs per week aro now coming to hand tho undertaking to hold the price is ruinbus, but members have decided to. s*lnd by tho agent and help sccuro the price. Should buyers decido to hold off the 'narkct for a few weeks it will mean a heavy accunutlation of eggs, but tho agent nf the circlo has made arrangements to meet tho contingency, and tlie price shall not ho lowered. The Aslatlo Eggs. A cablegram from Melbourne* recently stated that the Commonwealth Government has decided to prohibit tho importation of eggs into Australia in any shape or form. Thousands of bushels of wheat aro wasting, and poultry producers aro receiving little for their summer eggs. The Government has decided, to stand by producers, . and have prohibited the Asiatic eggs. "Will our Government do as much for New Zealand poultrymen? The Minister has pro. mised as much this coming September. In a country suited for gro ; in growing and egg produotion it is a disgrace that each year thousands of pounds are sent away for foreign eggs. The price of eggs should be better, and it will give greater encouragement to producers.