POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 14

POULTRY NOTES

Egg Supplies To Retailers RATIONING BY MERCHANTS

(By

New Laid.)

“Wholesale egg merchants and agents in Wellington have been drastically rationing supplies of eggs to grocers for m nip weeks past, the quantities supplied being 2.» per cent. 'to 50 per cent, less than the quantities ordered." The above statement is made by ‘N.Z. Poultry World.’* (he oliicial journal of lite N.Z. Poultry Board and the N.Z. Poultry Producers’ Federation in tin? course of editorial comment on the appeal to housewives to use a smaller quantity of eggs, made h.v the Hon. J. G. Barclay. Minister of Marketing.

‘•The -Minister." the same article states, was 1101 correctly informed if his reported statement that 'the total quantity of eggs available now is very much the same ns was available last year or in any previous year in the same period* was intended to convey the impression that production and conditions in the poultry industry are normal. It is true that eggs were scarce and supplies were rationed in some centres about this period of last year, but in the preceding six years the supply of eggs, taking whole years into uccount, was in excess of the demand, and substantial, (inconsumable surpluses had to be exported. The quantities exported in the lour years 1933-3(1 amounted to 1.392,330d0z„ an average of 348,082 (loz. per annum. The downward trend of production as compared with consumption is clearly shown in the export figures of the last four years: 1937, 70,140d0z • 1938. 234,3ti0d0z.: 1939, nil; 1940. 33.000 doz., average 54,390d0z. per annum. Tlie few eggs exported in 1940 did not represent a surplus. These eggs would have been readily consumed in the Dominion, but they were sent, to Britain as the result of a rather feeble “war effort. ’’ The war had no connexion with the fact that there was no surplus of eggs in 1939. The above figures show that there was no surplus of eggs in either of the last two years, and that production in com parison with demand had reached a dangerously low level. If the position continues to deteriorate, a demand by the bakers and pastrycooks for the lifting of the embargo on imports of egg-pulp is more than a probability. As a matter of feet manufacturers of egg-pulp had to scramble tor a period of five mouths in last spring aU( ] early summer to obtain sufficient eggs for pulp for use in the coming autumn and winter. The main factors responsible for the unsatislactory position of egg production tu comparison with the requirements of the public are so well known that they do not call for elaboration—high costs of poultry foodstuff's, the impossibility of obtaining adequate supplies of some of the essential commodities, high cost of labour, building materials, ami, in fact, of practically everything appertaining to the production of eggs. The Government can fix the maximum price of eggs, and in fact does so, but that does not affect the option of the individual to abandon poultry farming when he finds he can more profitably employ his energies and capital in some other undertaking. That is precisely what has happened, particularly in the last year or two. If the average price of eggs over the whole of each year were such that the average efficient poultry-keeper would be assured of a reasonably prof!tabic return for his efforts (seven days a week), the question of adequate egg production would solve itself in a year. Once ample supplies became available, large quantities of egge in shell could be placed in cold storage in the flush, season, sold in the dear season at prices below those charged for fresh eggs and so act as a check on unduly high prices of the Walter, a procedure that would be appreciated by consumers as soon as they become educated up to the point where they would realize that, provided eggs are perfectly fresh when placed in cold storage, they are just as'good after being so held Tor five or six months as the average so-called “fresh egg" available on the market. Excessively high prices for eggs in the months of minimum production are not in the,best interests of the poultry industry, because consumers rewort lo the use of alternative foods, and when supplies increase in the early spring, prices have to be quickly and steeply reduced to induce consumers to purchase more liberally. About 50 per cent, of the eggs marketed in the year are produced in the four months August-November. A reasonably remunerative price to the producer in that period, based on prevailing costs of production, would stabilize the industry, induce greater production, and thereby solve the problem of prices in the other months of the year. It is submitted fhtil a reasonable increase in egg prices in the next flush season, say 2d. per dozen, as compared with last season s prices-, would go n long way toward reviving confidence in the industry with consequent increased production lo an extent that would ensure sttlHeienf supplies of eggs to meet all requirements.

How 13mg Should the Moult Last? l-'or practical purposes I lie period occupied in luotilliug is regarded us that during which a bird is jut of producliun. •'Hou long should birds lake lo complete the process?" is a constantly recurring question at Ibis season of the year, when so many poultry-keepers have a greater or lesser proportion of hens which have been kept on account of their good Performance during their pullet year. The duration of the moult, says "Eggs" (England), depends on n good many factors. To a very great extent it is individual, that is to say, some birds moult much more readily than others. One may complete the process in the course of, say, fouu or five weeks, while another may be out of lay for as many months. As a rule, the best layers are rapid inoulters, and those pullets which continue to lay well into th? autumn are-usually among the first to start business again. But it also depends on the condition of the stock. The moult will be a long process if the birds get run down or are allowed to get overfal. The latter is the greatest danger, especially,among heavy breeds, liowever, assuming that the birds are vigorous, of n good utility strain, and that they are kept in good condition, the average duration of the moult may be taken as eight to ten weeks; but in every flock, even under the best management, there is a wide difference between individuals.

High Prices l-'or Duck Eggs. Ituek eggs are commanding high prices in England. According to a market repori dated December, they wore selling in various areas at from ii/d to !>/- per dozen. All that were offered sold freely at these prices on account of the shortage of hen eggs. An English paper stales that a queue a quarter of a mile long assembled nt Middlesborough when th* news got round that a certain shop had eggs to sell. Similar queues, it is stated, have been formed at Woolwich market mid elsewhere. Ci'inhating Fowl Fleas.

The usual methods • adopted for the eradication of lice and red mite will not rid a plant of hen fleas. Where the pest is bad drastic action has to be taken to den! with them, and nothing less than a thorough cleansing of the place will destroy them. The litter should be removed am! burned. All loose fittings should be taken out, and the house and nest boxes should he scraped and brushed, taking caie lo get well into the corners. A good spraying with a coal-tar disinfectant, paraffin or paraffin emulsion, should fob low. special attention being given to all cracks and crevices. Fleas do not breed on their hosts, bjit only visit them to feed, so to get rid of Ihom it is necessary lo attack them in their breeding places-—the

(lire and debris which accumulate in the cracks and crevices.

'rumours Are Inherited. Much research work has been done with a view to ascertaining the cause of tumours of various kinds, which are fairly prevalent in poultry, but from the practical pool try-keeper's standpoint, little progress has been made. Evidence has beep provided to establish the fact that tumours are inherited, so care should be taken to see that no bird that has suffered from trouble of this kind finds its way into a breeding pen.