THE POULTRY MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 23

THE POULTRY MARKET.

Me=sis A. Moitiz&on ar.d Co. vepoi*: — TVe would diaw the attention of poultry-raisers to the fact that any fowls or cockerels below 25'.b and ducks and ducklings below 3lb are not accepted, and the department will not pack them. Tins is owing to the fact that birds of such light %veights are in poor condition and nothing but skin and bones, and -will turn black when they are frozen. "VVe would theiefore counsel them not to sencl these, ss the department will charge railage on any such birds. We learn from our correspondent in Durban as follows: — "I regret that so far I hare not been able to sell any large parcels of fowls. Large quantities of Russian bhds, 3Jlb and over, are offering at Is 9icl each, f.o.b. London. These are splendidly got up, and look even more marketable than Xew Zealand birds. I tried hard to place Xew Zeala.ud parcels, but most houses here are glutted till the end of March, and they would net make counter offers on New Zealand prices. Cockeiels, 3ilb and ever : Can you quote these with the chickens, as invariably the fowls are not required. Some are very tough, and preference is frequently given when cockerels or chickens can be offered alone." Local prices : These are nominal, as very few are selling. Ducks and duckling's are quoted from 3s 6d to Is ; fowls from 2s 6<l to 2s 9d ; geese from 4s 6d to ss; turkey hers, 6d to 7d ; gobblers. Sd to 9d per lb. Poultiy for export: We have an unlimited demand, and can qtiote as follows. — Chickens, 41b a.nd over (dead weight), 3s 6d ; clvckens. 3*lb to 4lb (live weight), 3s ; fowls, 321b to 41b (live weight), 2s 9d ; fowls and chickens fromi 2£lb to 3-ilb, 2s 3d (these ■^vere formerly rejected) ; clucks and ducklings, 41b and over, 3s 9d ; do 3lb to -lib, 3s (the<=,e were formerly reieeted). All these prices ior export are free oi railage, and subject to our usual commission.