DAY-OLD CHICKS ADVICE TO BUYERS

Evening Post, Issue 122, 26 May 1933, Page 12

DAY-OLD CHICKS

ADVICE TO BUYERS

Tho Day-old Chick Trade—The past decado lias sccn> a wonderful iucrease in tho demand for day-old chicks, and many stud breeders think nothing of selling as many as IOyOOO bonny clucks each, season. So many aro sold that one wonders how many aro reared. There are a few points that the buying' public need to keep in mind, especially in view of the- fact that in America and nearer home, in Australia, day-old chicks are selling at such keen prices as to make tho trade almost unprofitable for the specialised stud breeder. In New South Wales day-old chicks aro quoted as low as 45s per 100, whereas .here the standard price is about £6. The reason for this is competition for sales, mammoth incubators run by electricity, and general mass production. The novice should realise that in buying day-old • chicks, even from one-of the leading stud breeders, ho is not purchasing stock of tho highest grade. Certainly most stud breeders turn out. a very high grade of chick, but their pedigreed and selected stock are priced at very much higher rates. Good settings of eggs are usually about &1 per setting, with chicks of tho same quality at doublo this figure. Quite tho best method of establish ing a flock of laying fowls is-to purchase day-old chicks in order to obtain a good commercial laying flock. TUo very pick of theso at the conclusion of their first laying season can be leg-' rung ak suitable for breeders tho following spring, but they should bo mated; to carefully selected pedigreed males, preferably obtained i'rom the same source as tho day-old chicks. Kemenibcv that cheap chicks may be expensive hi' the long: run,, for they may be hatched from pullet eggs, inferior breeding'birds, or even eggs that are an 'Unknown quality. One breeder boasted'of the fact that tho day-old chick trade .was a .very useful olio, for absorbing hatching eggs that were_ unfit/to send out as j hatching- eggs, "but fortunately this typo of breeder is soon found'out and goes out of business. ■ ■■■'.'.■ •■' ■-~■'■■. ' * - , Bemember 'to. order '-your • chickens early, at least six weeks before you require delivery. This, will ensure delivery on the date required and will assist, the supplier to make out his hatching ; programme. Some people think that chicks can be turned out just' like sausages, and expect you ■to be able to supply any number at any time. The leading stud breeders are usually well booked up for the most suitable dates, which aro August for heavy breeds and September for light breeds, so that tho present moment is none,- too soon" to start making inquiries. Order three chicks for every pullet that you require, and you will end up with'about the right number. Often you may .rear a better percentage than this, but it is as well to be on'the safe Side,' and surplus pullets aro. very, easily sold. (