Jan. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 61 



Poultry Notes* 



January. 



JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. 



During the year just closed poultry farmers, in common with all breeders 

 of live stock, have found difficulty in procuring adequate supplies of food 

 for their flocks, and the tendency of prices has been upward throughout the 

 year. However, the poultry farmer has occupied a much better position 

 in comparison with the breeders of large stock, because while the drought 

 conditions that have prevailed have compelled the latter to hand- feed his 

 stock, and in addition to lose large numbers of them, the poultry farmer 

 has managed in nearly all cases to feed his birds; and the higher values 

 received for his produce, particularly for eggs, has not only been a counter- 

 balancing feature, but on a conservative estimate of production (say twelve 

 dozen per hen) should have placed him in a better position than in previous 

 years. In this respect the poultry farmer has, for once, been fortunate in 

 the fact that the scarcity of eggs caused by high prices for food in other 

 countries has induced an export trade which has assisted to keep up prices 

 here. At the same time, it is questionable if the export trade has been solely 

 responsible for the higher values. High food values are bound to be followed 

 by higher prices for our products. I fear, however, that a combination of 

 factors is responsible in a great measure for a lower standard of produc- 

 tion on a great number of farms. 



That there is something fundamentally wrong is patent to any observer, 

 for while our laying competitions have shown that egg-production is more 

 than being maintained, and that some of our best farms are also keeping 

 well up to their best performances, the majority appear to be suffering from 

 some malady that is sapping the vitality of the industry. 



Observation leads me to conclude that that malady is stunted chickens, 

 due principally to faulty methods of rearing. 



Paradoxical as it may seem, the hatching of too many chickens is also, in 

 my opinion, an incubus that is assisting to strangle the prospects of an 

 industry that otherwise would be a thriving one. The desire to possess 

 too many chickens with inadequate provision for rearing them is the principal 

 cause of the stunted growth complained of. Many farmers are increasing 

 their incubator capacity who would do better if they increased their brooding 

 equipment. 



