910 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



REPORT OF THE POULTRY EXPERT. 



A. Hart. 



Ib presenting tlie annual report in connection witli the poultry 

 and egg industry, I might mention that the past season has not been 

 so prosperous as could be wished, due to the fact that to some extent 

 several of the exporters prepared and packed their poultry for export 

 without Government supervision, packing a class of fowls which were 

 not up to the standard of foreign requirements. The result was that 

 Russia and Canada gained a great advantage in this trade to the 

 detriment of the Victorian poultry industry. When the exporters 

 shipped with no departmental supervision, treating the birds them- 

 selves, it was impossible to fill the demand for stock for the South 

 African market carrying the Government stamp. I am glad to say 

 that the exporters have now realised the importance of Government 

 supervision, and are again having their birds treated and packed in 

 the usual way. Already 10,000 head of poultry have passed through 

 my hands, and several shipments have been made with successful 

 results to South African and London markets. The reports received 

 from both places describe the packing as perfect, the prices realised 

 being very satisfactory and quite equal to those reached for best 

 poultry from Russia and Canada. 



I am informed by the shipper of the consignments to London 

 and South Africa that his agent reports as follows : — -" Packing per- 

 fect, price good, demand for an unlimited quantity with the following 

 improvements: (1) All birds to be of uniform size and weight in 

 each package, (2) condition should be improved by topping off for a 

 month previous to being killed, (3) maximum age at time of export, 

 14 to 18 weeks old, weight to average from 3 to 4 lbs. per bird." 



In topping off by natural feeding in troughs, ground oats or 

 barley meal scalded with skim milk or milk and water, mixed in the 

 form of a crumbly mass, should be used for the first fortnight ; fol- 

 the remaining 14 days let 1 lb. of rendered fat or fresh cut green 

 bone be added each day for every 20 birds. They should have a 

 plentiful supply of green food, grit and water, and be kept in a dry 

 and draught-proof coop capable of holding 6 chickens. These coops 

 should be closed with laths in the front, allowing space for the birds 

 to feed out of the troughs placed in front of the coop. They should 

 be liberally fed three times a day. Birds fed in the ordinary way 

 will realise in London from 7d. to 8d. per lb., whilst those topped oil 

 as described will reach lOd. to 10|d. per lb. and are much more in 

 demand. 



All future consignments will be killed and bled, and packed in 

 twelves keeping the weights as even as possible, whilst size and 

 quality will also receive special attention so as to meet the latest 

 requirements of the English and South African markets. The 



