520 Agricultural Gazette of X.S.W. [July 2, 1920. 



Poultry Notes^ 



July. 



JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. 



The splendid rains that have fallen over the State recently, together with 

 the more optimistic reports regarding the prospects in other countries, have 

 brightened the outlook for poultry-farmers. 



It would be an almost unprecedented circumstance, if, notwithstanding 

 the crops being somewhat late, sufficient wheat was not harvested for home 

 requirements after such bountiful rains. Taking all the circumstances into 

 consideration, the position resolves itself into this : Those wlio can manage to 

 feed their stock during the next few months have every prospect of better 

 times ahead, because it is almost certain tliat high prices for poultry 

 products will obtain for some years to come. 



The confidence displayed in the poultry industry in face of all the troubles 

 through which we are passing was commented upon last month. The 

 writer's experience covers four partial or full failures of the wheat crop, and 

 consequent feed crises ; but notwithstanding that the present one is the most 

 severe of all, as far as can be judged there has been less sacrifice of stock in 

 proportion to the number kept than on the three previous occasions. True, 

 up to the drought of 1901.-2, poultry-keeping was but little more than a side- 

 line, but since then it has grown into a specialised pursuit, and has taken 

 its place among our primary industries. Notwithstanding all our troubles, 

 there is more confidence in the possibilities of commercial poultry-farming 

 to-day than at the time mentioned. Failures there have always been, even in 

 the best of times, for not everyone will make a poultry-farmer, but as 

 a class those who go into the business are not wanting in "grit," nor in 

 determination to succeed, notwithstanding that they are often handicapped 

 by want of capital and experience, and that the latter is nearly always 

 dearly bought. The present crisis will pass as others have done, and there 

 need be no fear for the permanency of the industry. There is one factor in 

 favour of poulti-y -farming not enjoyed by the breeders of larger stock. No 

 matter how flocks arc depleted, two good hatching seasons can see them 



almost back to normal. 



The Hatching Season. 



The hatching season is now upon us, and it is a fortunate circumstance that 

 prospects have been brightened by the rain ; otherwise, notwithstanding the 

 advice given in these notes to go on hatching, a great falling off in the number 

 of chickens hatched must have resulted. 



Nothing but sheer inability to secure food should now retard the hatcliing 

 season. There is no question about the wisdom of hatching to full capacity. 

 In regard to feeding we should visualise the position in this way ; Suppose 



