POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

Egg Export Activities

PROSPECTS FOR COMING SEASON

(By

New Laid.)

' Arrangements are well in hand for exporting the surplus eggs which will be offering during the coming season of maximum production, which extends from late August to the middle of November. Surplus eggs are usually in evidence later than the period mentioned, but prices on the British market decline eo rapidly after Christmas as to render later export unprofitable. ■ The average price realised for New Zealand eggs exported last year was about 1/G per dozen, including exchange, and the cost of exporting was about bd. per dozen, leaving a net return of approximately lOd. per dozen, being practically equivalent to the ruling local prices when the eggs were shipped. . . , The organisation for export consists of four egg-export committees, with headquarters at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin respectively. These committees, composed of representatives of merchants and producers, have adopted the Poultry Board’s recommendation by appointing a central committee in Wellington to act on their behalf in making arrangements for shipping space, etc. It is estimated on the information in hand at present that about 90,000 dozen eggs will be exported from Auckland, 150,000 dozen from Canterbury, and 100,000 dozen from Otago. No estimate of the output from Wellington is yet available. Last year’s export totals .were: Auckland 90,690 dozen, Wellington 21,930, Canterbury 145,140, and Otago 113,310. Export offers the only avenue for the disposal of surplus eggs during the flush season, and merchants and producers who nre in a position to size up the situation are definitely of opinion that in the absence of export the price of eggs on the local market during last spring would have fallen to 6d. per dozen. The happy mean is to maintain a price that is fair to both the producer and the consumer.

Registration Defaulters. It is in the interests of all poultry keepers who sell eggs, regardless of the sizes of their flocks, that the unconsuinable surplus in the flush season should be disposed of Overseas in order to prevent utter demoralisation of the local market. Owners of small flocks, although they do not personally export their eggs, nevertheless profit equally with, or to a greater extent than, the actual exporters. This was one of the grounds on which flocks of 25 head of poultry were included in the provisions of the Poultry-Runs Registration Act of last year, under which the Poultry Board is authorised to assist in the export of eggs. In this connection it is understood that the number of poultryruns which have been registered is considerably below the estimate, which was based on the last census returns. It is apparent that large numbers of poultry keepers have neglected to register, or are not aware of the requirements of the Act passed last session, even though. these were advertised throughout the Dominion. The Act now in operation defines “poultry? as hens or ducks not less than six months old, and a “poultry-run? means any land used for keeping not less than 25 head of poultry, and the production of eggs for sale. The last day for registration, according to the Act, was June 30, and poultry keepers who have failed to register are liable to a fine of not exceeding £l, and a further fine of 2/6 for every’ week that elapses after June 30 until registration is effected. Now that the period for registration has expired, and more than three weeks’ grace allowed, the Poultry Boartl, which has to administer the new Act, will be in a position to go fully into this matter at its meeting next week. N.Z. Producers’ Federation.

The full text of the recommendations for the constitution of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation, as adopted by the New Zealand Poultry Board after a conference/ -between the board and the executive of the New Zealand Poultry Association, is as follows:— That the title of the organisation be : “The 'New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation (Incorporated).” ■ Objects.—(l) To organise, develop and promote the interests of the poultry industry in general, and to foster a spirit of cooperation among all persons engaged in the industry in N.Z. (2) To maintain a channel through which all poultry keepers, whether registered or not, may take part in the administration and control of the industry. (3) To confer with the N.Z. Poultry Board, and to make such representations to the board and to the Government as may from time to time be deemed necessary. (4) To make and interpret rules and regulations for controlling and carrying ,out all or any of the objects of the federation. 1 Basis of Organisation.—(l) That the basis of organisation be branches, district councils, and a Dominion Council. (2) That members of a branch shall consist of all poultry keepers, whether registered or not, who pay tire annual branch subscription. (3) That district councils be established in suitable centres within the areas at present controlled by the four existing provincial councils of the N.Z.P.A., provided that the number of district councils in each provincial, district shall be limited to six. (4) That the Dominion Council consist of delegates from the district councils, who shall be registered poultry keepers. Branches.—(l) That every facility to become a member of the district branch shall be given both to registered poultry keepers and to non-registered poultry keepers who may desire to. join on payment of the membership fee. (2) That branches shall be formed having consideration to local conditions. (3) That producers’ organisations such as egg circles, utility poultry clubs, .if approved by the federation, he admitted as affiliated societies at an annual subscription of £l/1/-, providing the members of such affiliated societies are members of a branch of the federation. (4) That the organisations above referred to be each entitled to have one representative on the district council in their area. (5) That ten members shall be the minimum number required for the formation of a branch, except with the consent of the appropriate district council. Representation.—That each branch shall bo entitled to send, two representatives, who shall be registered poultry keepers, to its district council, and that each district council shall be entitled to send one representative to the Dominion Council. Officers nnd Executives. —(1) That each branch shall have a chairman, secretary,

treasurer, and committee; and each district council shall have a president, vicepresident, secretary, treasurer, and an executive, provided that the offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. (2) That district councils at their annual meeting, ami the Dominion Council at its annual'conference, shall each elect officers and an executive committee, who shall hold office until the next annual meeting, and who shall conduct the business of their respective councils between the annual meetings. (3) That the present Dominion executive and the present provincial council executives of the N.Z. Poultry Association remain in office and transact business until the new executives respectively are appointed. Meetings.—(l) That branches shall hold meetings ,at intervals not exceeding three months. (2) That district councils shall hold at least one meeting in each year. (3) That the Dominion Council shall hold an annual conference. Finance.—(l) That the annual branch membership fee shall be 2/-, 1/- of this to be paid to the district council, of which the. district council shall pay 6d. to the Dominion Council. (2) That, for the purnose of meeting the yearly conference expenses of the Dominion Council, the N.Z. Poultry Board may subsidise. the capitation payments to the Dominion Council at the rate of £1 for £l, up to a maximum of £lOO in any one year, subject to the yearly statement of the accounts of the Dominion Council being first approved by the board. Representation on the Poultry Board. — (1) That, for the purpose of recommending producers’ representatives on the Poultry Board, the district councils in provincial districts shall each appoint one delegate,"who shall be a “producer” registered under the Poultry-runs’ Registration Act, 1933, to meet as a committee for the purpose of recommending to the Dominion Council a person to represent the provincial district on the Poultry Board, actual reasonable expenses of the said committee to be borne by the board. (2) That in the opinion of this conference every registered poultry-keeper should have an opportunity of exercising a vote in connection with the recommendation of a member of the board. . Boundaries of Provincial Districts — That the boundaries of provincial districts shall be: — . . (1) Auckland having jurisdiction over the Auckland and South Auckland districts, and enclosed within the boundaries of the provincial district of Auckland. (2) Wellington having jurisdiction over the provincial districts of Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay. and those parts of the provincial districts of Nelson and Marlborough comprised in the counties of Collingwood, Takaka. Waimea, Sounds, Marlborough, Murchison and Awatere. (3) Canterbury-Westland having jurisdiction over the provincial districts ot Canterbury and Westland, and those parts of Nelson and Marlborough not included in the Wellington provincial district. (4) Otago-Southland having jurisdiction over the Otago and Southland provincial districts.

Whole Milk For Chickens. Mr. R. Rodwell, who has been a prize winner at tour of tne leading egg-laying trials in England, is a great believer in whole iresli milk. If a slight cold develops, as sometimes happens when moving birds about, he puts tlie particular chick on to fresh milk for a week with most satisfactory results. Me gives onefifth part linseed meal in the chickens dry mash until they are eight weeks old, and whole linseed boiled to a jelly with one per cent, of flowers of sulphur added once or twice a week as an aid to feathering.

Disinfection Methods. In an article on practical methods of cleaning incubators, hovers, etc., written by a member of the “Feathered V* orld (Eng.), disease research committee, the -writer expresses the opinion that the method of disinfection by fumigation through vapours of formaldehyde, a pungent gas with antiseptic properties, is not practical because the production of this gas is brought about usually by heat and chemical action. He points out that it is evident to anyone conversant with the theoretical and practical aspects of the question that such fumes do not penetrate far unless they are hot and work under pressure. In •dealing with droppings and encrusted' dirt, mechanical cleansing is required if one cannot employ moist heat under pressure. He remarks that there are, however, alternative methods of disinfection, one of which may be called the natural system, and which consists in exposing an appliance, after mechanical cleaning, to the effects of the weather—open air, rain, and sunshine. In this way, it is explained, two or three months’ exposure will destroy the activity of bacteria, coccidia, and “viruses.” But even here the danger always lurks in cracks and crevices where sunshine and light cannot penetrate. Sunshine ac’ts in several ways —by the sterlising effects of its rays, by drying, and also through heat; the latter causes the microbes to “age” more rapidly, for. contrary to ordinary belief, cold preserves the life of microbes, and heat—even moderate heat, like blood heat—though in favourable circumstances it causes bacteria to multiply, renders them at the same time more vulnerable to outside, agencies. The writer suggests as the other alternative the blow-lamp, a method already favoured by many poultrymen. This, he says, is particularly suited to kill off parasites and microbes which may lurk in out-of-the-way drevices and cavities which scrubbing or painting cannot reach. When employed on woodwork, needless to state, the blow-lamp must be' carefully handled, (but in practice it has been found especially useful for the destruction of red mites, which will take advantage of any joint or natural crack in wood otherwise inaccessible for the usual methods of disinfection. In relation to metal appliances the blow-lamp is easily employed and gives good results. Summing up the article, the writer pins his faith to thorough by mechanical methods— scrubbing brush, snap and water, effective disinfectant applied with a paint brush, and the blowlamp. his concluding remarks being: “We wish to stress once more that mechanical cleaning by means of an efficient scrubbing brush is the basis of all active disinfection, and wHI effectively rid incubators, hovers, brooders, and appliances of all dangerous microbes and parasite.” General Notes.

Overheating and crowding during the brooder stages both have a bad effect on the feathering of chicks. Sound feeding aids feathering, and the use of linseed meal, up to 3 per cent, by weight in the chick mash, is favoured by many breeders.

A flow of blood from a chicken, whether from a peck or any other cause, frequently leads to serious vices in the flock. Directly a chicken is noticed with the least blood on it. it should be caught and wound treated with Stockholm tar. Judgment must be. used as to whether or not the chicken is returned to the flock or isolated.

Under the grading regulations in force in Canada cold-stored eggs cannot be sold in either of the two first grades—Al or A. Such eggs can only be sold in the B or C grades, B being the third grade, and C the lowest. ,

Chickens should not be given more wet mash than they wiM clean up at a meal. Slash left in. the containers after a feed will become stale, and may set up serious intestinal disorders. Absolute cleanliness is necessary where food and water vessels are concerned.

' Half the troubles in chicken-rearing are caused by over-feeding, says an English breeder, who adds that be likes to see a batch of growing chickens come to meet

him, and if they do not do this he lets them miss the meal intended for them.

While it is courting failure to put eggs in an incubator if more than seven days old, eggs up to a month old may be set under hens with a fair chance of success, if they have been taken care of and kept turned.

Dirty runs are the cause of much trouble at any time, as they are liable to harbour disease-producing bacteria and eggs ot worms, All runs should be well drained and frequently cleaned up. Where possible runs should be rested periodically and dug over and planted with a crop, such as rape, oats or mixed grasses.

* * * Green food is the poultry-keeper s safeguard against all diseases, says an English authority. It is the finest blood purifier, and better than all the doctoring of the water to ward off disease. Lettuce, savoy cabbage, and spinach are three excellent green foods, rich in mineral salts, but any of the kales, cabbage, rape, root tops, lawn sweepings or -my of the clovers arc useful.

The annual sunflower seed requirements of 120 poultry feed manufacturers in America are approximately 10,600,000 pounds in the aggregate, according to a recent survey of the United States Bureau of Agricultural Economics. EGG-LAYING CONTESTS Taranaki Competition Following are the results of the sixteenth week of the Taranaki Egg-Laying Competition Society's seventh competition White Leghorns. —E. Clare. No. 1. 6—30; No. 2, s—oi No. 3, 4—52; G. L. Gaylard, No 1. 5—67; No.. 2, 5—64; No. 3, 4—63; Mrs. R. R. Cannon. No. 1. M, 0—80; No. 2, 7—83: No. 3, 8—77; H. Moreland, No. 1, (t —68• No. 2, 5—89; No. 3, o—JI; D. M» Peek, No. 1, 5—01; No. 2,1-25; No. 3, 5—60; No. 1, M, 0—41; No. 2, s—-4o; No._3. 5—83; Burbank Poultry Farm. No. 1, o—--7- No. 2 6—94; No. 3, 4—69; A. Moreland, O—-71; Miss E. Ladd, No. 1, 4—25; N.O.’ 2, 4— J. A. Wills, 4—76; Hall Bros, 4—68; >B. Pope, 6—89; P. Freeman, 5—69. ' . Minoreas. —J. T. Brice, M, 0—44; Miss D. Swadllng, No. 1; 5—19; No. 2, u—l 6; No. 3, 3—30. . ■ , A Brown Leghorns.—Mrs. W, Busby, 0— C2:, Hall Bros.. 5—65. Black Orpingtons.—Mrs. F. A. W ?rren, No 1 6—45; No. 2, 0—28; No. 3, 4—71; Mrs. D. M. Waddell. No. 1, 6—29; No. 2, 5— No. 3, 5—87; Thos. Dowthwalte, No. 1 3—73; No. 2, 4—63; No. 3 5—79; W. A. 1. No. 1, 4—80; No. 2, 2—65; No. 3, 3 —Gp. Mrs. S. Patterson. No. 1, 4 —77; No. 2, 1—04; No. 3, 1—80; J. Gregg, 3—65; Miss V. Hall, 4—73; E. J. Poswillo, 5—72; Miss D. Swadllng, 0—24; 11. W. Smith, 6-108. White Wvndottes.—G. L. Gaylard, No. 1, 0—55; No. 2, I—oo. „ „ Light Sussex. —H. Kirkwood, 5—34; G. I’rostldge, 4—<l3; 1—43. • Ducks.—Fawn Indian Runners: Stan Beauchamp, No. 1, 0—0; No. 2, 5 —63; No. jj U go 'Fawn and White Runners.—L. P. James, Xo. j I—j.1—j. No. 2, 5—45; No. 3. 6—79; Mrs. F. A. Warren. No. 1, 0—60; No. 2, 0—42; No 3 5—57; Thos. Dowthwalte. No. 1, 5— 43;' No. 2, 6—05; J. O. Law, 5—34. White Runners.—Mrs. D.' M. Waddell, fi 00 Khaki Campbell.—Mrs. D. M. Waddell, 5—14; C. Cleaver, No. 1, 4—81; No. 2, 2—28; No. 3; 4—31. THREE-BIRD TEAMS. Light Breed. • ■ '. / ’ Total

Massey College Competition' Following are tlie results of the sixteenth week of the Massey College Egg-Laying Contest. - SINGLE PENS. Section A. J. A. Annan, W.L., 5-82; C. H. Barker, W.L.. No. 1, 5-74; No. 2, 5-37; W. H. Barker. W.L, No. 1, 4—45; No. 2, 0—52; No. 3, 5—74; Mrs. R. R. Cannon, M.L., 5— 90; Emery Bros., W.L., 4—50; E. M. Galvin.,'W.L., No. 4, 5—67; No. 2, 5—52; No. 3, 2—58: 11. Hutchinson, W.L., 4—72; C. W. L. King. W.L.. 5—46; A. G. Mamby, No. 1, 5— No. 2, 5—62; No. 3, 0—18<I; No. 4 6— H. Moreland; W.L., 5—58; W. J. McAloon, W.L.. u 34; A. J. Slialler. M ,L«, 4—50; 11. Williams, W.L. No. 1. 0—72; No. 2, 2—56; Whenuapal. P.F., W.L. 5—83; Mrs. E. Youngson, BkL., No. 1. 0 —42; No.'2, 0—05; D. Kruse, Auc., No. 1, 4—39; No. 2, 2—48; F. Lang, Anc., No. 1, 4—43; ■No. 2, 4—49; J. Smith, Anc.. No. 1, 6—71; No. 2, 5—73; H. Williams, W.L., No. 3. 6— 59; A. Straw-bridge, W.L., 6—68; A. R. Watson, BrL., 5—61.

Section B. Miss E. T. Somer, R.1.R., 0—22: K. Moulder. RIR., 4—22; W. A. Larsen, 8.0., No. 3, 6—21; T. Dowthwalte. W.W., No. 3. 5—51; W. A. Larsen 8.0., No. 1, 3—78; No. ,2, 6 —B2; Mrs. Waddell, 8.0., 7—76; T. Dowthwalte, WAV., No. 1, 5—16; No. 2, 4 —71. TEAM RESULTS. Section C.

POULTRY ENTERPRISE Baby Chickens From England A practical demonstration of the fact that day-old Chickens can be successfully shipped from England to New Zealand when suitable accommodation and the necessary expert attention is provided has been given by an enterprising Englishwoman who intends to commence poultry-farming in the. Dominion. The new settler reached New Zealand by the liner Ruahine, bringing with her a colony of 50 baby chickens selected from the flocks of some of the foremost English specialist breeders. The chickens, whit'h comprise White Wyandottcs, Light Sussex and Rhode Island Reds, were only three days old when they left England, and, of 52 shipped, 50 were landed• in New Zealand in excellent condition—a tribute to the care and attention devoted to them during the voyage. One of the two birds lost succumbed to the well-, meant attentions of a seafaring man unlearned in the technique of chick-raising, and the other one fell overboard. The new arrivals are at present being looked after in Auckland and are to form the first instalment in stocking the farei which their owner intends to establish as soon as she has found, a suitable location.

1 0 Weekly to 3 Ttl. Date E. Clare, W.L 0 5 4 9 141 G. L. Gaylard, W.L. & 5 4 14 194 Mrs. R. R. Cannon, VT.L 0 7 S 15 240 H. Moreland. W.L. .. 6 & 16 228 D. M. Peek, W.L., No. 1 5 1 5 11 I). M. Peek, W.L., No. 2 0 5 10 169 Burbank Poultry Farm . •■ o 6 4 15 240 Miss D. Swadling, M. 5 fi 3 13 125 Heavy Breeds: Black Orpington. Mrs. F. A. Warren 0 0 4 10 144 Mrs. D. M. Waddell ,. fi 3 18 205 Thos. Dowtbwalte .. 3 4 5 12 215 W. A. Larsen 4 •» 3 9 214 Mrs. S. Patterson .... 4 1 1 6 221 DUCKS. Stan. Beauchamp .... 0 10 155 L. P. James 1 6 12 125 Mrs. F. A. Warren .. 0 0 'i* 4J 129 C. Cleaver 4 4 10 140 it Moulting.

S D. Morris, W.L., 47, 72, 24, 38, G3, 80 (27) 324. Mrs. Geo. Hillman, W.L., 70, 61, 60, 40, 20, 00 (21), 310. fa. Polson, W.L., OS, 19, 69, 40, 45, 66 (•>4 ) 307. Emery Bros., W.L., 726, 53, 60, 30, 21, 56 (10) 301. A. J. Davey, W.L., 63, 43, 58, 54, 32, 44 (28) 204. _ „ „„ J. T. Hazelwood, W.L., 70, 74, 9, 5o, 36, 35 (22). 279. Mrs. D. A. Stewart, W.L., 41, 36, 65, 37, 49, 48 (26), 276. C. W. 1.. King, W.L., 52, 63. 40. 23, 23, Graba'm, W.L., 49, 33, 43, 41, 54, 53 (21) 273. 31. Stephenson, W.L., 19, 9, 62, 37, 52, 54 (21), 233. P B. Harrison, W.D., 69, 41, 22, 34, 37, 27 (20), 230. A. Strawbridge, W.L., 26, 46, 48, 19, 41, 38 (7) ‘’18 H. A." Lucas, W.L., 36, 56, 12, 69, 2, 42 (11) 217. E. B. Wainscott, W.L., 43, 9, 15. 20, 36, W.L., 25, 31, 13, 25, 12, 43 (7). 149. E. D. Wilkinson, W.L., 24, 31. 21. 32, 31, 0 (10), 139. J. Smith, Ane., 10, 2, 15, IQ, 31, 19 (17), 93. F. Lang, Auc., 12, 20, 4, 2, 8, 2 (5), 48. Section D. W. A. Larsen, B.O., 62, 86, 8, 70, 65, 68 (22) 359. Miss E. T. Somer, K.I.R., 43, 76, 79, 16, 76, 60 (23), 350. _ F. A. Dewhurst, K.I.R., 21, 50, 44, 54, <4, 93 (23). 336. „„ W. E. Jones, R.I.R., 33, 56, 35,’61, no, 39 (10), 284. L '“x” Disqualified Egg Weight Clause. “d” Bird dead.