THE CHICK SEASON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8183, 26 July 1912, Page 2

THE CHICK SEASON

On most of the large commercial plants the incubators are now in full swing, and before the end of the month many thousands of early-hatched chicks will have been distributed throughout the country. In conversation with a breeder who is this year developing the oay-old chick feature of his ousiness 1 reamed that oraers are multiplying at such a rate os would lead to tne conclusion that this method of building up and replacing biros on the smaller prauts will to a large extent, 11 not altogether, shortly do away with the old Is tyre of buying eggs tor setting, fry tnia means tne purchaser is relieved of all trouoles in securing broody hens at the ngnt time and ie able to stock up much quicker than was formerly the case; that is provided he is within reasonable distance of the railway, breeders with experience . have proved that more in the way of moving can be none with chicks during the first three days of their existence than can be accomplished when the youngsters are, say, three weeks old, unless the journey is a very short one. h'or the brat lortyeight hours of their lives chicks can be carried under ideal conditions, which is proved by the great numbers that are landed safely at their destinations. It is the hope of many pouitrymen that better facilities will be given by the authorities for transmitting live chicks by post. To this end it is understood that a deputation will shortly wait upon the responsible Minister to urge the necessity of bringing the New Zealand postal system, in this respect, into line with wnat is done in America and England, where thousands of live cuioks are distributed by means of the post othce.