The Poultry Industry

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 2

The Poultry Industry

EGGS AND FEEDING

LABOUR VERSUS CASH. Among the evergreen subjects that offer themselves for discussion, is the one covering the feeding of poultry and opinions as to which is the best ration and the system of placing it before the fowls, swm to Ire an widely distributed amongst the owners as the breeds of poul- i try kept by them. The greatest diver- I genre of opinion centres round the problem of dry versus wet mash, and votaries ot either system are pronounced in their views regarding the respective merits of the system they favour, [t may safely ire taken for granted that both systems have some special advantage in. particular directions in accordance with the needs of individual farms. In the absence of any reliable information based upon actual experiments it in difficult to arrive at definite conclusions; at the same' time it is generally admitted by those who have studied the question that the wet mash is productive of an increased egg yield, but to what extent the increase extends, none are prepared to say definitely. Until independent tests are made with exactly the same ration fed in different ways to birds of the same flock, this point will remain unsettled. - Tho dry mash is supported mainly for j its labour-saving advantages, and tho point to be determined between the two methods seems to lie in the difference in value of an increased number of eggs on the one hand, and the value of tho time saved on tho other. This will, of course, bo governed to some extent on the arrangement of the . plait, but the question is well worthy of consideration

vii jjfiiviai yruuuu&. mu auiuiuagca cue ary system are found in labour-sav-ing and time especially, vwr.ero growing stock are concerned, and m the case of small plants, where tho o.vuer has limited time at his disposal before going to business, or other pursuits. Again, where women are tho custodians, ri saves a considerable amount of discomfort on wet mornings, for, with the hoppers full there is no anxiety that, the birds will go hungry, therefore, there is no compulsion to go out in tho vet grass or rain. Where egg production only is the determining factor, tho we’ght of argument seems to favour ti.e wet mash system. Tho fact that all coniyerilors at public egg-laying competitions are fed on wet mash indicates that tho authorities and owners alike arc s-atisfied that this method is productive of. the best results, and may be taken as an accepted fact. Now, what is the difference in the value of the extra eggs received and the additional time taken to mix and distribute a morning mash? An increasing egg yield of one egg only per bird per month on one thousand laying hens would mean a gain of .£SO per year with eggs at one shilling per dozen. On a well appointed plant it is estimated that one man could prepare and supply food to 1000 birds in one and a-half hours daily. Allowing one shilling an hour for che time thus spent, the wages bill would be increased A 27 for the year. Against this it has to' he remembered that tho dry mash has also to be mix ed and carried out once or twice a week which takes a certain amount of time. Again, one of the advantages claimed for the other system is that it stimulates pullets to lay earlier than they would otherwise, and at a period of the year when eggs are double the price. Thus, one egg in winter is worth two in summer. It is doubtful whether any extra InVionn iir/iIILI lintm ffl lia fIITI Til fl Vfl fl /111 fl

plant of the size under notice, only a difference iu the planning of flip day’s work being needed to conform with the variation required. Allowing that meat is. fed separately what is to be done p’ith the soup if ducks and pigs are not kept, and there is no wet mash to absorb this valuable feeding commodity. The great problem of feeding poultry is to find out and follow the procedure that - will produce tho greatest number of eggs at the cheapest cost. The profitable period of a bird's life is so short and it is essential that the bulk of (he eggs should be produced in the shortest time possible and to get the best results the food must be appetising. This question of feeding provides a splendid field for research, and once more emphasises the need for a specially appointed station under Government .supervision, where extended tests could bo made with different breeds of laying fowls and varieties of food. DAY OLD CHICKS By to-day's Issue it will be seen that still another White Leghorn specialist is catering for the public requirements in the day old chick business. This latest announcement is from Mr R. A. Lazarus, tho well-known breeder of high-class birds At Epuni, Lower Hutt. The residents of Burnham have opened a subscription list in aid of the widow of the late Mr John Bose. A Rose Memorial Fund is also being instituted. Donations may be sent to Mr J. H. Shaw, secretary of the Utility Club, Christchurch.

In the open wholesale markets fresh eggs are in rather short supply at from 2s 2d to 2s 3d per dozen, it is not expected that prices will go beyond those figures as the supply of pullets’ eggs will be greater from now on, if tne weather is at all favourable. Preserved eggs are plentiful at Is 3d .per dozen. An idea of the rapid development of the day old chick business may be gained from the fact that even thus early in the season, Mr Leger, of Levin, has hatched out some 1657 chicks, of which 997 have been railed or shipped away. One consignment has been sent as far as Gisborne. They were all sent in tireless brooders. A Kawera paper publishes detailed results of the performance of a pen of seven White Leghorn pullets belonging to Mr E. T. Worthy. The pullets which were from eggs supplied by Mr E. Hopkins, of Eangiuru, Otaki, were housed in a cut-down case six feet long by two feet wide, and were allowed free run in an open paddock.- No special feed was given. The seven pullets laid an average ox 231.1 eggs, and the value calculated on fortnightly current market rates works out at j£l per bird for the year. A correspeondent writes complaining that the flourmillers are crushing the poultry industry by creating an artificial scarcity of pollard. Local merchants say. however, that supplies of pollard are not equal to the demand, and find difficulty in procuring large consignments ifrom the south owing to the increasing ! nses to which pollard is put in manuifacturing made-up foodstuffs. : During his recent visit to Napier the (Premier, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, was lehown over the model plant owned by Mr .(IV. C. Davis, and expressed his satisfaction

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at the progress that is being made by private proprietors in the poultry industry. It will be remembered that this plant ivajs also visited by Mr Ell, Post-master-General. a few weeks ago, and on being interviewed the Aliuister promised to make inquiries regarding an improvement in postal facilities lor the carria-ge of day old chicks. AVith firsthand information regarding the poultry industry at their disposal Alinisters vvill no doubt, lend a still more sympathetic oar to suggestions that arc being made for reforms in certain directions to benefit the industry generally.