X908.] 



Marketing of Poultry. 



645 



drawn out at the vent, leaving the rest of the inside intact, 

 during the hot months. This is frequently done in the Midlands 

 and in Ireland. Unless the distance from the market is 

 considerable the birds are unpacked and sold within a few hours 

 of dispatch, so that this practice is not generally necessary 

 except in hot weather. 



It is the custom on farms to keep old hens long after they 

 are really profitable from a breeding or laying point of view. 

 A hen is rarely worth her keep after the conclusion of her second 

 year. But these are in demand at Easter, in June and early 

 July, when good prices are paid by Jewish dealers. They 

 must be in good condition and sent alive. 



Manchester Market. — The following note with regard to the 

 Manchester Poultry trade will be of interest : — - 



The supplies of chickens are for the greater part of the yeai 

 almost entirely Irish, and except for the months of December 

 to April, it is estimated that Ireland supplies nine- tenths of 

 the chickens sold. A few extra good quality chickens are sent 

 from Anglesey, and also a few from the district round 

 Oswestry ; these are for the better class trade, and do not 

 affect the trade generally. During the autumn a few chickens 

 are sent alive from the district round Carlisle. The reasons 

 for the popularity of the Irish chickens are the uniformity of 

 quality, and the certainty of supply, as well as the short time 

 in which orders can be filled. It is stated that within twelve 

 hours an order can be sent for any number up to twelve dozen, 

 and the birds received, via Holyhead, ready plucked. 



During the early months of the year Russian fowls landed 

 at Hull, and American and Canadian landed at Liverpool, 

 form the chief bulk of the supplies. At Christmas, French, 

 Italian, and Servian are sent in fairly large quantities. 



There is not a very great demand for ducks, and although 

 Ireland supplies the majority, a considerable number of the best 

 ducks come from Aylesbury ; there is also a considerable trade 

 in live ducks from Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire; Russian 

 ducks are used to a large extent at Christmas and into 

 January, but from then till the duckling trade commences 

 there is practically no demand. 



