THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 64

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

: . (By Ajor.) i u Encouraged by the action of the Government in fostering the poultry inand by the capital results being obtained by many fanners who have undertaken the industry in connection with other industries of the farm, farmers all over the colony are increasing their breeding stock and are devoting more attention to poultry-breeding. jfSome three years ago Government foreseeing the probable value of the industry imported from England pure-bred poultry, and now 'Miriorcas, Brown Leg- " horns, Gold and iSilver • Wyandottes, Houdans, Plymouth Bocks, Buff and (Black Orpingtons (a splendid acquisition to the. colony) are being eagerly sought by farmers, whose main object is to breed from the rare stock thus -afforded. In order to meet this demand poultry stations are being created at many places of the North and the South Island; new works are being /...planned out at existing stations, and additional pens erected. Added/to this Government/yearly import fresh additions to present stocks. As showing the good effects produced by grading birds for export, I might here quote from the report of the past year’s operations just furnished by the Government Poultry Expert to the Department of Agriculture, and which in effect says that where • hundreds of birds were formerly sold now thousands are selling at very much 'increased prices. Hatching by means of the incubator, by which thousands of eggs may be put through at a time where hens can only deal with a -limited number, is of course the best and most approved of method. By it tdiere is less risk of loss and the freedom: from Yeremin is minimised. Of course in order # to maintain prices unifonn to all settlers public markets, must be established. That is what the Department df Agriculture is-aiming at, and the establishment of depots wherebirds are received for official grading before exporting meets this want. In - that respect the Department -have already gained kudos several letters having been received from foreign firms stating that the poultry 'sent from New Zealand is the best packed and the best in quality •that has reached them from any part of the world. Government grading of • poultry for export while protecting'appears to facilitate 1 the industry as well. Poultry-breeders raising and fattening birds for exportation are thus afforded every reasonable assistance. The Der, * partment, although not purchasers, is willing to reqeive, grade, kill, plhck, prepare, supxily -cases for, pack, freeze tlie birds, and, if necessary, store them, for' a month, at a mere minimum,. As t have already pointed out in a previous article, poultry raising will, pay provided farmers breed only from the best known layers, grow the bird’s food, /' and strictly observe cleanliness and comfort in the hen roost.