DAY-OLD PULLETS

Evening Post, Issue 86, 11 April 1936, Page 23

DAY-OLD PULLETS

Much discussion has taken place recently in the poultry Press regarding the success or otherwise '6£ the Japanese system of day-old chick sexing. Some buyers state quite definitely that they will always in future buy only sexed chicks, while others ; :,;claim that they "had a bad dear*, and. found too many cockerels amongst the pullets, or that the chicks were damaged. Let readers rest assured that there is nothing wrong with the principle of sexing, and that day-old pullets will do better than mixed sexes. Any complaints that have arisen, have done so on account of ignorance or inefficiency on the part of the chick sexer, or his employer. Chick sexing is essentially work for well-trained specialists. The work is trying to the eyes and nerves and much experience is required before a. high degree of accuracy is reached. Last season there was only one qualified chick sexer operating in the North Island, and that was Mr. L. Doughty, of the* Upper Hutt' Poultry Co., Ltd. Mr. Doughty, under test in Sydney, "gave' a "wonderful.'performance and in this country frequently displayed his ability. But because of the demand for sexed chicks, ami:■■the commercial aspect, others operated who were not really qualified to^do so and so much confidence lin the system has been* lost. It is also apparent that even the best of chick^sexing workers are liable to strike bad patches during their season's work, with a lower percentage than usual of accuracy, and due allowance must be made., Some sellers guarantee an accuracy of ,95 per cent. That is to say, if 100 .pullet chicks are purchased and more than five cockerels are discovered, "then they will make some allowance. 'Other breeders are more modest and promise only 90 per cent, accuracy, which seems more reliable and less likely to cause ill-feeling. It must be remembered that a keen chick-sexer does riot wish to destroy, any pullet chicks and if in doubt he may include with the pullet chicks a few chicks of which he is in doubt as to their sex. Just so is the degree of'accuracy lowered by expert workers. It must also be remembered that the work requires constant practice and that since we are a small country, chick-sexers may not have the opportunity that others have to keep up.their high standard of accuracy. . Last season Mr. Doughty had a most trying time, travelling long distances in order to meet the demand for his services. This year there will be more sexers available and there should be less complaints. Buyers of sexed: chicks, however, should see that the sexing is done only by qualified workers who hold the certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture. Certainly, chick-sexing is an asset to the industry, which has come to stay and it is 4> be hoped that ere long there will be a qualified sexer available in each large centre.