POULTRY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 444, 8 July 1922, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES.

(By “Brooder.”)

lly far the most'important matter discussed at the recent meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Poultry Association, held in Palmerston North during show week, appears to have been that of the future policy of the association with regard to the marketing of eggs. The result was that the following recommendations are to bo placed before the next conference for adoption or otherwise: (1) “That representatives of affiliated speielies and suppliers meet in the main centres and arrange a policy for the marketing of eggs, and that, all societies marketing eggs in any centre must do so through the channels prescribed by this policy, and that the market commission in each centre arrange the conference.” (2) “That the market commissioners for the South Island arrange the adjustment of market conditions for the south, and the northern commissioners arrange for the north; but in a national policy, both commissioners work together.” (3) “That it bo a recommendation to all centres to adopt a uniform system of pooling for local prices, and that in the matter of export a national pool be adopted under the supervision of the market commission.” From this it would appear that discussion has centred on the recent sharp stump in eggs in Wellingtton, largely due, as is now generally known, to the influx of eggs from the South Islad. If I am not mistaken the last conference terminated with a kind oT general underatandig that there was to be no more dumping of eggs by one centre upon another centre’s market, and that .everything possible was to be done to present violent fluctuations of prices, hence the market commission. But evidently this intended control is much more difficult than it seems, and I have an idea there would be considerable plajn speaking when the cause of the recent slump came up for discussion by the Executive. So much so, that we find that the “ideal,” created by the supporter's of the marketing of eggs movement, is now being given practical shape in the form of the three recommendations set forth above. Tint why should we have to wait until the next conference to do it?' poultrymen locally are asking Was not authority given the executive at. last conference to deal with urgent business, if necessary by postal ballot of affiliated societies? I think so, and must agree that this is an urgent matter and one which demands immediate attention. If the New Zealand Poultry Association is, as I hope it is. a live movement, ready to institute anything and everything calculated to promote iho well being of the poultry industry, it cannot afford to allow this question so vital to its supporters to be shelved for another twelve months. If they do I think that the rank and file through their individual societies will want to know why, and who will wonder? Perhaps we shall hear more about this.

Are you ready for ilie breeding season? For poultry keepers (he time of busy activity is again drawing near and in a few cases, is here. To those who have not made a start perhaps a word of warning would not come amiss. Poultry rearing is a task which demands careful attention to details. You cannot afford to leave anything to chance, and therefore it behoves you to have everything thought'out l or in readiness before you begin the work ot hatching. The element of risk is over present even when you are sure that your breeders are in the pink of condition; or that your incubators and brooders have been proved and stood the tost. There is the mating of the birds, about which you can never be sure; but thanks to educational movements the certainty about the progeny is being every day increased. Still, there is risk, and there, always will be, but, however, there are tilings you can be sure about. The first and most important is. if you are going in for artificial incubation, your incubator. Is it 'thoroughly clean and in good going order and do you know its every peculiarity? If not, see to it, half a thought tells you bow much depends upon this. Of one thing make sure: See that the thermometer is in good going order. Then there is vour brooder. Have you decided upon fireless or artificially heated brooders? Perhaps you say much depends upon weather conditions. Well, we cannot know exactly what kind of weather will prevail one or two months hence; so therefore if you are undecided, you had better have both ready. Oh! but you say, a Tireless can be made in Ti\e minutes. Don’t ho deceived, a Tireless brooder or any other brooder, to be safe, or as sate as it can be, must be constructed upon lines which will not impair the health of the chicks von are rearing. 'True, chicks have been reared in a box. often enduring the most arduous conditions; yes, but thousands have been lost also. Ton are recommended, as stated, to leave as little as possible to chance. Therefore have your brooder made or built so that it will, lie easy for your chicks to live and thrive.