278 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



and eggs last season was in excess of the supply^ and Victorian repre- 

 sentatives had to go to other States to fill the balance of orders 

 received here. Other outside exporters filled their poultry orders 

 with birds which were of indifferent quality^ and did not carry the 

 Government stamp. This was brought about by the short supply of 

 good conditioned birds of the grade necessary to secure the Govern- 

 ment stamp. 



During the past year, about 50,000 head of poultry were killed, 

 dressed, graded and frozen in the Government Cool Stores. This 

 number contained none but birds in first-class condition, comprising 

 chickens, ducklings, turkeys and geese. The greater portion of these 

 birds were sent to the South African market, and the demand was 

 exceedingly brisk. The falling off in the number of poultry put 

 through may be set down to the severe drought, which limited the 

 supply, and also caused exporters to go to the other States to fill 

 their orders. 



In former years the freight on jjackages of frozen poultry con- 

 signed to Great Britain was very high, running into Is. per bird, but, 

 owing to the extension of the export trade, and other improvements 

 in economising packing, etc., this has been considerably reduced. 

 Packages now sent contain 520 chickens to the ton measurement, 

 the freight on which is 45s., being slightly over 2d. per pair. This 

 great reduction of freight should be the means of developing and en- 

 couraging the export of poultry to Great Britain, and presents very 

 favourable inducements to the farmer and producer. The outlook is 

 at present very promising. There appears every prosp ct of a good 

 season right throughout the State, and, should the pret ut conditions 

 continue, we may expect a plentiful harvest and paya e results in 

 poultry keeping. 



The best time for exporting so as to command highest prices for 

 chickens or ducklings, is to land in England from March to June. 

 Turkeys should be sent during September and October, and must be on 

 the London market before Christmas. Either turkeys, chickens or duck- 

 lings can be killed when they are in prime condition, and can be kept 

 in cool chambers until they are required for exportation. The weight 

 of turkey gobblers should be fi-om 12 to 20 lbs., and the heavy weights 

 are in most demand, providing the condition is up to the mark. Tur- 

 key hens should range from 7 to 10 lbs., and no birds should be over 

 12 months. Chickens should be from 2i lbs. to 4 lbs., and their age 

 should be from 14 to 20 weeks. Dugklings should run from 4 lbs. to 

 5 lbs., and age should not be more than 10 to 12 weeks. All weights 

 given are for live birds. One point which must be observed is to 

 send nothing but first-class conditioned birds. Liberal feeding will 

 encourage weight, and the sooner that birds are ready for the market, 

 the less the expense and trouble of feeding will be. Birds intended 

 for export should be put up and fed with suitable food so as to induce 

 both growth and condition, and this ap})lies equally in the case of 

 turkeys as well as chickens and ducklings. 



