THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7026, 14 January 1910, Page 3

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

By "Cackler." EGGS FOR LONDON REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL .VENTURE. Tho news that the shipment of. eggs by means of tho vapourismg process from Ohristehmeh to London has turned out successful is good indeed. Mr J. 8.-Merrett, of the " New Zealand PoultTy Journal," who made tho shipment, is to be heartily congratulated. . The discomfiture of the critics of utility poultry farming may bo imagined. Of course, one swallowdoes not make a summer, and it would be foolish to calculate that because one shipment has sold at the satisfactory price of Is Id a dozen—it would be interesting to have tho net return—a profitable export trade is in sight. 1 do not think for a moment that an established egg trade with. London is feasible, for eggs would have to bo at famine prices in Britain to ensure a profitable return to the New Zealand producer for preserved eggs, jio matter how effective the process. Where tho significance of the Ohristchurch experiment comes in is that there is apparently now a satisfactory opening during November, December, and January for our surplus eggs (produced in August, September, and October), thus maintaining prices at a decent level on local markets. Mr Merrett deserves the thanks of poultrymen for testing the London market, but it is to bo hoped-that, if his example is followed, tho trade will be catered to in an intelligent manner—by the shipmant of only absolutely fresh, clean, and uniform eggs. It must be remembered that oven if fair prices are to bo obtained in London during November, December, and January, the value obtained for Mr Merrett's consignment is rather exceptional. When the position of the world's egg supply is considered this will bo at once apparent. There is at the present time an almost universal shortage. Since 1906 English supplies from abroad havo been declining, and in tho first six months of last year no less than 62.247,860 fewer eggs, or 7 per cont., were imported, than in the Bamo period of the previous year. The reduced value was, however, only £17,955, or merely 0.61 per cent., because of the rise in value. It is considered in Britain that tho maximum of foreign supplies has been reached, and this fact" is being used to urge British producers to give more attention to egg production. It will "be seen from this that Mr Merrett has struck a very good market,'.and that- in future seasons tho returns may" not prove so satisfactory; in fact, are more likely to be on a lower basis. Even so, the connection Mr Merrett lias initiated will be worth maintaining, and should prove of distinct value in maintaining profitable pries at this end. : DEY MASH ... - AN AMERICAN OPINION. IMPROVED LOCAL METHOD. The "dry masih continues to attract considerable attention in . Amerieaj where its use is rapidly extending. Writing- recently on the subject, -an American writer said :-—". The ~ dry mash system of feeding has been carefully tested, and it is now held that dry food is far superior for several reasons. First, after becoming used to it, the fowls prefer the ground grain to that Which has been cooked or steamed. Second, it is. a-labour-saving plan. Third, it keeps, fowls in a. more healthful condition; For a while after you begin putting the dry ground grain and meat scraps into a trough for the fowls to help themselves they do not take very kindly to it. They pick out the meat, and theei the maize meal, and some prefer the bran, but the finer stuff, like pollard, is left untouched. Gradually the fowls "go to eating more and more, until they soon eagerly clean, lip all that is in the trough, and after becoming accustomed to a dry mash it is surprising how much of the wet mash they, will leave untouched in tho troughs." . Commenting favourably on • this opinion, "Hotspur," in the "Leader," remarks that , it is wonderful the amount of labour that is saved by, this new method. . . . Now, I am "'sure dry feeding in summer will be found much better and more healthful for the fowls. There, is less chance of developing cases of bowel trouble than when feeding with mash, especially if tho latter is too moist. During hot weather wet mashes sour very quickly, and all uneaten food must be removed from the troughs about an hour after feeding." AVith" the dry mash this is not necessary. For : young chicks the dry mash is especially recommended, as this system raises much hardier stock. They eat a few mouthfuls, then take a swallow of water, and scamper off. for a run. In,a few moments they return and repeat the dose. • They, never- gorge themselves'in this way. At night an extra allowance of food is placed in, littlo troughs so .that. tho youngsters can help themselves at break of day. Nothing .will give a chick a worse set-back than to bo found pining for food. A hen is not so apt \o overfa-tten'if she is given dry mash. She does not eat it so greedily as she does wet food, and the fact .that.she eats a littlo at a time and returns often to the trough: gives her a better chance to properly, assimilate, her food. The Australian writer remarks that he has not tried the hopper system. If so, and he yet finds the dry mash a great economy in labour, he has yet to appreciate tho great advantage of the dry mash in this Worked on the principle adopted by Mr In-man-Todd, of tho Upper Hutt, where the supply of dry mash'put in the automatic hoppers is sufficient for a month's feeding, tho dry mash is an economy in labour which would, coun-ter-balance a considerable inferiority in feeding value in comparison to the moist mash if such existed. It is contended, and with good reason, that-it is possible with heavy laying birds in the w-inter to get more out of them with high feeding by means of the moist mash, but it is problematical if the increased return will compensate for the extra labour, and time involved.

"Hotspur" further remarks that the proper way of feeding the dry mash, to laying lens or to growing chicks is that of strewing in straw or "other :light'litter. Tho experience in this country does not agree with this. It is wasteful, and does not permit of adoption of tho admirable hopper method. .'.'■"',

One thing quite certain about dry mash is that it makes the keeping 0 f poultry as a side-line a very simple

matter, and if on tho ommcrcia. poultry plant, whero the. necessary la-I bour is available- and lonfe nouit are not objected to, a slightly bettei return may bo gained from tho moist mash, it is obviously an enormous advantage whore poultry is not tho main consideration that the preparation of tho morning mash may be obviated. Under theso circumstances, it means converting a drudgery into a pleasurablo occupation.

ANOTHER AMERICAN OPINION

Another American authority says : " Dry feeding is used by many regularly, and is becoming more popular every year. The advantages of tho system are: It is a saving of labour to the feeder, is lighter to handle, and much easier to mix. It-can bo fed in the morning. The fowls are obliged to eat it slowly; they cannot swallow it in a few minutes. It docs not become sour in hot weather, and the fowls will not over-eat with the dry feed. The chief consideration in dry feeding is that fowls requiro about three times as much water to drink as with the wet mash; also, unless tho dry food is placed in hoppers or fed in boxes at least four'inches deep, it is apt to. bo wasted." HAWKESBURY COLLEGE TEST SOME. INSTRUCTIVE! FIGURES. The nine months' figures of tho eighth laying test at Hawkosbury Agricultural College, New South Wales, are just to hand. The statement : is full of interesting facts. The most valuable of the statistical ■ matter is that referring to averages for the nine montljs of each of competitions. '.This clearly indicates the advance in the laying power of the competing birds. .-,-.' In the iirsfc test with, 38. pens the average per pen. for tho nine months' was 603; <«cqnd, 70 . pens, average 705; third, 100' pens, 'average 695; fourth . 100 pens,: average 795 ; fifth, 100 nenn. 826; : sixth, 00 pens, 8X8; seventh 50 pens, 862; eighth, 60 pens, 859 '■'. . "I In tho present 'tent, nine, months of which terminated last month. White] Leghorns are in the' first nine positions,, then come Silver.' Wyandotte% with White Leghorns in the next tl'rrco 1 positions, Black ' urpingtons next - and White. Leghorns • in- tho following six places. There arc also Minorcas, Golden Wyandottes and Lnngshans competing. The leading pen Jrom Queensland has laid 1059. and the next pen 1055. A New Zealand : pen (A. R, Browne, Napier) is third,with, 1031. at least it tics with another pen! _ Mr." Browne is having hard luck, as his birds only laid. 91 in December, whereas the best record for the month, was 134.: The weather, was.very trying and change.nblo. the glass registering '.up to 106 degrees. At tile end of themonth there was;, a thunderstorm ', followed by! three- days' rain.,- The ,gr.een food had entirely run out. Snakes and native, cats had been "very prevalent in the r>ens." fifteen of the latter having been killed in the month. The manager of tho competition must be having an interesting time. ~' ... . , ~'■ The.leading pen in the duck test at the college 1aid.1093 eggs for the nine months.' the second pen 1059 and the third 1001. The first and,second are Runners and tho third Buff Orpingtons. The average for" the 25-pens for tho nine months was'B37 egas, or 22 below the 'pen of fowls leading in the nine months', average. • ' . NEW ZEALAND TESTS / F. R. Cameron's White Leghorns arc still in tho lead., at Lincoln with 1162 for the'forty weeks, Mrs Mills' (Dunodin) White •■ Leghorns being second' with 1112. Leger is leading Padman, the former's pen having laid 972 to the latter'* 967. : Mar Tell's. Black Orpingtons are still at the head of the Cambridge pens with 952 for the'thirty-six weeks (they only laid six: eggs last week), with Padman next with 935. Sturrock's Black Orpingtons head

the Blenheim birds with : 906 for the thirty-eight weeks, White Leghorn pens coming next with 877 and 873. W. Knight, of the Lower Hutt;: is still easily leading the two, duck tests. In that of the "Poultry Journal" his pon has laid 787 eggs,, against 720 for the next pen,'and .at Cambridge his pen has shelled out 1189 eggs, or; 50 more than the next,test pen. 1 NOKTH ISLAND.COMPETITION VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION. The North Island .Egg Laying Competition Association has decided to go into "voluntary ': At an extraordinary meeting of. shareholders the other day it was stated, that.the funds-showed a deficiency of £142, and at the close of the present competition this would be increased to. £207. The deficiency w - as attributed to insufficient share capital. The actual capital subscribed was £289, while the expenditure in plant and-appliances;was £417, and flotation expenses had absorbed a further £65. Thus £193 . had been paid out of current revenue. The closing down of the Cambridge test is hot a serious matter after all. It is to bo hoped another • will not be attempted except under State control, so that competitors may -have entire faith in the movement, and be able to take.with some degree of confidence the published results. '-...; SCEATCfIINGS Padman is leading in the Queensland test. Another variety has been added to the Wyandotte family—the'Black-laced Wyandotte.. Many: farmers, have.waste food on the

farm which could bo turned to money through a good flock of fowls. Don't carry too many fowls in a small poultry yard. Overcrowding moans 6tunted growth, poor egg yield and ailments.

Soft eggs arc in many cases caused by lack of shell material, though on a grass run the constituent parts needed for shell formation "are supposed to he present.

Don't forget that great care should bo taken in selecting tho male bird for breeding purposes'. If you want to breed prolific layers secure a cock bird ba-ed from a heavy laying strain. Tuborculosis of the liver is very infectious, and there is absolutely no cure when it has reached an advanced ttagc. Disinfect tho pens and tho ground, or have it dug up "and turned.

The cockerel or cock is half tho flock, just as the bull is half the herd. Tho influence of the male on his stock may ruin the laying qualities of a flock." Mate your stud birds carefully.