POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 16

POULTRY INDUSTRY

SCARCITY OF EGGS INCREASING LOCAL DEMAND BY UTILITY The egg market seems to have been following its usual course in reaching the maximum values during tho last week in May, whereas there seems to bo a fairly .general impression that hardly so many chicks as usual were reared la&t spring, and that in consequent of tho reduced number of pullets coming into profit there would not be so many young layers to take tho place of the older hens which have stoppod laying during the moulting period. It was admitted that tho prospects last spring were not very attractive, there being several adverse features which might prevent breeders from roaring tho usual number of chicks, but as no census has 1 been taken it cannot bo whether there is a real shortage. On tho contrary, the fact that during tho past couple of months. eggs have been usually selling at slightly lower prices than in tho corresponding period of last year, in spite of lower stocks preserved in the freezers, suggests that if thero is any shortage in pullets it is no moro than to compensate for the reduced demand in a period of adversity for a food which is usually regarded in tho nature of a luxury. This attitude is unfortunate in tho case of eggs, considering their high food value in comparison with meats at an equal cost, and tho undoubted convenience of being ablo to use exactly the quantity required at one time, with no possibility of waste. The limited demand suggests that the most promising outlet for the present, or an increased production, .is to' exploit more thoroughly the local market. Eggs as a Popular Food It is strange that eggs do not enjoy a wider popularity for household use, for there is no meat food that can be so easily and quickly prepared for the table. It is a common complaint that tinned foods have been made too popular by their convenience for use at short notice, but eggs have all tho merits of tho former and also all the food value of fresh meats.

There must be something to account for tho evident reluctance of the ordinary household to keep eggs always in stock as a standard article of food at a low cost. Tho producer may be inclined to blamo the distributor, indulging'in the common impression that tho middleman " is a suitable target, but it has not yet been proved that the producer .is altogether free from responsibility. There is probably more scope for successful effort on his part to bring about an improvement in tho industry than on anybody else's. It seems a fair inference that the producer's share in developing a larger local demand for eggs has not been carried out until the wbolo community gets rid of the frequent hint that most eggs are of questionable age. Getting a Reputation There is no timo more suitable than the present to establish a reputation for fresh eggs, v such as will increase their general use by the public. There is usually a falling market during June and July, thereby offering every inducement to get tho eggs sold at once. Any farmer who has secured a private customer will confirm the suggestion that as soon as that customer discovers that he can absolutely depend on tho quality and condition of tho supplies, his requirements will increase. What can be done with one customer can surely be done with the general community, if the whole body of suppliers will join in a firm determination to send none but absolutely fresh eggs to tho consuming centres.

It is very satisfactory to see the steady improvement in tJie appearance of the eggs for salo in so many shops and dairies, a clean condition testifying to the fact that tho eggs have been gathered promptly and a uniform grading as to size and colour tending to make them much more attractive to the consuming public. Exporting the Surplus

Distant fields are always green, and a distant market usually looks most attractive. While nob minimising the importance of an outlet overseas, however, but rather emphasising its value for getting rid of a troublesome surplus during tho spring, there is apparently sb much more to be gained by exploiting tho local market that producers would do well to place le:ss reliance upon export, and to depend upon it only as a last resort. Now is the timo when care could increaso tho local intex-est in eggs, for after a period of the highest prices of the whole year the public aro predisposed to take advantage of the first and every reduction in the price, following every fall, with a steadily increasing demand. It ought not to be necessary to enumerato a, few of tho precautions so valuable in conserving the local demand and helping tho sales in London, for everything is summed up in making such arrangements as will assure that all the eggs sent for sale are fresh and of good quality. Quality comes under two headings, tblduiesa of shell, which will prevent breakages, and rich Colouring in tho yolk, which so truly indicates correct feeding, while freshness is secured by the determination to sell no eggs except those that can bo guaranteed as never having been sat on, even for a night. If this is done, and the eggs Hi-lit for salo twice a week, without including any of questionable age, the distributor will do tho rest in cultivating tho, demand.