THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 5

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

FOR FANCIER, AMATEUR & POULTRY FARMER Edited by J. B. MERRETT, P.O. Box 588, Chrisichurch

REGULATING FOOD PRICES. j The Melbourne "Argus'* and the J Sydney "Telegraph" of last week both contain particulars of the War j Precautions Regulations in relation to prices for foods. Flour is priced [at £ll, pollard £5 10/-, bran £4 10/-, land no miller is allowed to exceed j these prices, except for booking, which is 5/- extra. This splendid I arrangement must be a boon to poulI try farmers in Australia. With 'wheat at 1/- to 4/0, the poultry inj dustry has received such a lift in Australia that it has practically be- | come a boom. One wonders why in New Zealand a similar adjustment cannot be made. Compare our figures, Wheat 4/0, flour £l2 10/-, pollard £B, bran £5 5/-. The millers evidently take advantage of the offal demand, and make the prices high. The Government has regulated the. price of sugar. Can it not do something to save the poultry industry? What with dear foods, American eggs, Asiatic egg pulp, it seems as if the industry is threatened with strangulation. Its continued existence is proof of its stability and the determination of producers. The Dual Purpose Fowl. On Tuesday evening Mr Chisholm gave an address at the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club on experiences he had with poultry. His aim as a student of breeding was to produce a fowl that would be an egg-producer as well as a table bird. lie chose as a cross the White Leghorn and the White Rock. He gave some excellent information as to the results he obtained. Chief among these experiences was the increased size of eggs, strong vitality and improved constitution of the birds, an absence from broodiness, and the docility of the birds. He also found cracked bones of valuable assistance in correcting the soft egg trouble and increasing production. There were some drawbacks to Mr Chisholm's methods. The result of his crossing gave him no standard-bred bird, while the results obtained could be obtained from one of the recognised standard varieties. Mr Chisholm gave a good address, and at its.close answered quite a number of questions.

Laying Competitions.

We have received a copy of the rules and regulations of the sixth egg-laying contest at Missouri. This year they are limiting the entries to three of each variety of birds. Every bird will he trap-nested. The test will prove as educational as its predecessors. In the third annual test New Zealand was represented with six pens, and pid up some creditable performances. The sixth test begins on November 1.

Southland Records.

Much comment is being made at the returns obtained in Ihvercargill. They are ahead of the local test at Papanui. It must be remembered that the Southland test is being held on new ground, and that we are still a long way from the finish. There is time for the Papanui birds to show their mettle. The leading pens at Southland are 443, 434, 423, as against 371, 362, 350 at Papanui. It is reported that already sufficient enquiries are made for next year's test at Invereargill so that it does not appear as if the laying contests arc overdone. A Single Pen Test. It is reported that a single pen test of 60 birds will be held at Maslerton next year. Already the pens are being constructed, and will be ready for the test to start on April 1. The Hatching Season. A few more weeks and the hatching season will be in full swing. Already several breeders report having chicks hatched. It is a great mistake to hatch late in the season. August and September are the ideal months. It is time now that breeders be selected. Second and third yeai - hens make the best breeders. They impart greater vitality to the chicks. An experiment tried with chicks from a two-year-old bird and those from an immature pullet resulted in the former attaining exactly twice the weight of the latter in the course of a few weeks. The eggs laid early in the season arc noted for (he lirniness and texture of the white. It is from the white of the egg the chick is formed, though certain elements are extract-

Ed from the yolk. A pale yolk gives a poor chick. There is nothing to equal maize in the colouring and strengthening of the egg. From all experiments we have tried we lind that maize feeding gives the linest and strongest chicks. Half wheat and half maize fed at night works wonders in chick life. The eggs show greater fertility while the chicks hatch healthy and clean. A Popular Breeder.

There are few poultry breeders in whom greater confidence is shown than Mr J. W. He has achieved great success in the competitions and has made (mite a name for himself in the production of layers of good sized eggs. Mr Green was one of the first to remedy the small egg trouble to which producers were drifting. His experience has cost him much but he is ever ready to give beginners the benefit of his knowledge. On Tuesday week he will give an address in the Utility Club rooms and those interested are invited to attend. That Mr Green will get out of the beaten track and give poultrymen something new is certain while the information will be backed up by experiments from a reliable source. The Ellesmere A. and P. Association has decided on an attractive programme in its poultry section. Mr F. Brown will judge and give a practical demonstration of selection of layers. Farmers will have a splendid chance of instruction. The local poultrymen intend to give the showgood support. The New Zealand Utility Club is doing good work by holding open meetings at which popular addresses are given and instructive discussions are held.

The poultry industry has a great future in New Zealand. There is scope for great development and now that feeds are down considerably we may look for a busy season in hatching and rearing chicks. Commissioner Hodder on Thursday last paid a visit to the New Zealand Poultry Institute and the Swannanoa Poultry Ranch. He is keenly interested in poultry and intends to make some of his institutions selfsupporting by devoting attention to poultry. Thousands of pounds could he raised annually if public institutions would devote some of the available labour to poultry keeping. Great care is needed now in feeding layers. Egg production varies according to climatic conditions. Judging by the falling off of eggs this week it seems as if other months than May have their difficulties for poultry men. We have to acknowledge receipt of a sample of an electric tester sent from America and hope to give our readers a report of its use at an early date. A Good Egg Producer. The Southland Meat Meal has gained quite a distinction among egg producers. It is purchased by many egg farmers by the ton, as it is impossible to get such excellent egg returns except by the use of this animal food. It is only a few years ago 20 tons a year was sold. Last year it reached 170 tons. This is evidence of its growing popularity. The Southland Meat Company installed a special plant for the manufacture of this meal, which is made from the purest of meat off-cuts. It can be readily mixed in the mash or used in dry form. It saves all the trouble of boiling meat, and its consequent difficulty of constant supplies. All produce merchants stock the meal, and it can be obtained at a very cheap rate.

The New Zealand Poultry Institute.

The New Zealand Poultry Institute at St. Albans has begun its hatching season. The breeding pens are all mated up, and sittings and day-old chicks are being offered for sale. A visit to the Institute is instructive and interesting. A Good Chick Food.

The A. and P. Chick Raiser is known from one end of the Dominion to the other. Probably more chicks are raised on this chick feed than all other foods put together. The output each year runs into hundreds of tons. It is a scientific, balanced food solely for purpose of chick raising, and is a suitable food from the day the chicks are hatched. The ingredients are of the best, and users may rely on the utmost satisfaction from tiie food.