The farmers of Quebec are favoured with one of the best markets on the continent. 

 The average annual wholesale price for eggs in Montreal is slightly higher than in 

 Toronto or Winnipeg, whilst in these three cities the wholesale prices average higher 

 than New York and Chicago markets. For the better quality of poultry produce 

 Montreal offers, in many cases, better prices than any other market on the continent. 



Notwithstanding an increased annual importation, there has been a substantial 

 increase in production. In 1901 there were 3,066,304 fowls on the farms of Quebec, 

 and in 1911 there were 4,833,013. In 1911, the value of poultry on the farms amounted 

 to $2,422,568; the egg products were valued at $3,812,838; live poultry at $662,343— 

 a total of $6,897,749. 



The number and value of poultry in Quebec is low compared with Canada as a 

 whole. In 1911 the average number of fowls per farm in Canada was 44.5, while the 

 average number of fowls per farm in Quebec was only 32.3. The number and quality 

 of the stock can be increased considerably and would mean an increased production. 

 In 1911, the average value, per family, of poultry for all Canada was $9.84, while in 

 Quebec it was only $6.53. 



The most reliable information places the average annual production per hen in 

 Quebec at 50 eggs. This is abnormally low and can be raised to 100 eggs per hen 

 with proper care and management. This increase would almost double the value of 

 the industry, and would more than double the profits of the producers. It takes about 

 80 eggs to pay for a hen's keep for one year, so that many hens in Quebec are being kept 

 at a loss. Another very significant fact is that over 50 per cent, of the eggs are produced 

 in the months of March, April, May and June, and these are the least profitable months 

 in which to produce eggs. More eggs should be produced between November and 

 March, when prices are highest and profits are greatest. 



Notwithstanding existing undesirable conditions relative to poultry production 

 in Quebec, the Province is afforded a great opportunity to become one of the foremost 

 poultry producing provinces of the Dominion. Conditions brought about by the great 

 war have altered the market situation in Canada to such an extent that Quebec is placed 

 in a very advantageous position. The enormous supplies of eggs from Russia and 

 other countries which went to supply a good share of the requirements of the British 

 market have been greatly reduced since August 1914, and Great Britain has looked to 

 the United States and Canada to replace the deficiency. A number of shipments of 

 eggs have been made from Canada, most of these shipments being supplied by Ontario 

 and the Western Provinces. The significant fact in regard to Canadian exportations 

 of eggs is that practically none were obtained in Quebec, although most of the shipments 

 have gone through Quebec shipping points. 



SELECTING POULTRY FOR EFFICIENCY 



M. A. JULL, Poultry Dept., Macdonald College, Quebec. 



A feature of great importance in connection with the poultry industry has been 

 developed as a result of the war. It is that poultry keepers throughout the 

 country must practise greater economy. It is common knowledge that prices of 

 poultry feeds have risen considerably although prices of poultry and eggs have not 

 risen in the same proportion, consequently, it must be admitted that poultry keepers 

 today are not making the profits they were before the war broke out. This condition 

 of affairs will probably last as long as the war lasts and for sometime after. Every 

 economy should be practised. This applies to the feeding of poultry, and along this 

 line I should like to mention two things to which farmers and poultrymen should 

 give greater attention in order to eliminate, as far as possible, all unnecessary expense. 



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