POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 272, 15 October 1927, Page 11

POULTRY NOTES

(By “Brooder.”) What can be m?.de out of poultry when conditions aro'good is well illustrated by the Victorian Poultry Journal in the September issue. In the last Bendigo winter test it says: “The average earnings were 13s Ufd per x bird, and for the 17 weeks of the test the average cost of the feeding was 4s 3d. This gave a return of 9s bfd over the actual feed bill.” It may be said by some readers: “But these birds are all first-class birds expected to lay—bred to lay, and which would not be in the competition if big things were not expected of them.” Just so. But the only poultrymen who really succeed are those whose flocks are largely made up of birds which can shell out the eggs in much the same manner as do competition birds. And it can be done. Many are doing it just because they work on sura and true lines to get the birds. Breed carefully from tested birds. Use the trapnest wherever and whenever possible. Only on these lines will big producers be lorthcoming. Largely because of the careful supervision of producers’ organisations, and not a little because of the export trade, Australian poultrymen are enjoying a time of good prices lor their products. Long before export began a minimum price ot Is 5d per dozen was offered and many contracts were signed at this figure. The result is that eggs have remained firm at about Is 6d to Is 7d per dozen. Such goo<f prices have not obtained for many years past, and naturally the poultrymen over there are mighty pleased about it. As intimated the poultrymen's own organisations have contnouted not a little to this pleasing state of affairs, and just now the egg producers in Australia are more than ever convinced that, if they want anything done well, they must do it themselves. There are many who believe that we in New Zealand would do well if we copied the example of the Australians. As ,in Australia, so in New Zealand, better prices for summer egg than is usual, are being received. But it is only because supplies do not equal the demand. As is always the case, perhaps because of these favourable conditions, it will be found that large numbers will be tempted and will take up the business of poultrymen. With what result? Without organisation, with no attempt made to deal with large surpluses, there will be gluts and the industry will fall to zero again. Thus it goes on. Time and labour are wasted and there is consequent loss to all. Many hope, therqlore, that these days of profit will lead up to the time when poultrymen in New Zealand will get together again and put the trade on a more businesslike basis.

A writer in the Victorian Poultry Journal says that crooked breast bones are not the result of perching, but are a hereditary weakness passed on to birds by the stock from which they were bred. Exhibitors at shows are very much concerned about tho trouble. Many a fine bird lias liad to be left out 311st because there was a slight twist in the breast bone and the owners thereof would have been glad if some known discovery had been passed on to them. Well, tho writer referred to claims that cod liver oil, if given to young growing stock, is claimed to be a preventive. Its work is to harden the breast bone so as to cause it not to twist and bend. But it is extremely doubtful if any bird so treated will be altogether free from the weakness if it is born with it. *

Even tho writer agrees that it is a hereditary weakness and. a reasonable course to take is to look to the breeding pen. Birds deficient in bone and sinew should not be used. That is not to say that fineness of bone is not to be encouraged, but it means that there are limits beyond which no breeder can go. Strike the happy medium and there will be very little trouble.