The Poultry Industry a Good Local "Money-Spinner"

Of recent years the humble hen has grown into an industry worth between £130,000 and £140,000 a year to the Gisborne district. The production of eggs at the present time, in the flush of the season, is about four tines as much as Gisborne people can eat. The surplus is exported to places like Wellington, Rotorua, and Auckland. Each year this export trade brings £90,000 to £100,000 of "foreign" money into the district.

These facts, given in a recent interview by the manager of Gisborne Farm Products Ltd., Mr G. W. Armstrong to a representative of the "Gisborne Herald", indicate the extent to which the poultry industry in Gisborne has grown in the past few years. To bring readers of "Photo News" a picture story of the industry, visits were paid to some of the district's main poultry farms. At this time of the year, we found them busy places.

In addition to the production of eggs, the industry provides "chicks", for replenishing flocks, and "chicken" for the table.

Pictures of chicken-raising on this and the next three pages were taken at Mr Theo. Bolton's poultry-farm at Hexton.

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Fluffy little chick, newly-hatched surveys the big wide world

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2880 eggs, neatly arranged in trays, ready to go into the incubator

Airways passengers at Darton Field, waiting for their 'plane, are often mystified by the sound of "cheeps" coming from cardboard boxes among the freight. This is a sure sign that Gisborne is not only exporting eggs, but also chicks. In picture above, Mrs Bolton is seen packing newly-hatched chicks into a case.

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Chickens which stay at home soon grow to stage where they begin to explore outdoors in search of tit-bits

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Before long they are full-grown hens, contributing to egg-production figures

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Next job is to learn how to perch, which they do on this wire frame

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Life on the farm: Mum and Dad discuss intrusion of photographer

What happens to the eggs after they are cooled and crated on the poultry-farm?

They are still not ready for sale. In between the producer and the consumer stands Farm Products Ltd., a co—operative concern which grades and re-packs eggs according to weight, sends them to market, and pulps the surplus for commercial use.

These pictures were taken on the "egg floor" at Farm Products.

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In dark enclosure, eggs on conveyor chain are illuminated to reveal blood spots, cracks and other defects. Note mirror which reflects reverse side of eggs and also camera taking picture.

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Small lots of eggs come in from home producers, are stacked separately

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Loading eggs on to conveyor

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Operators working at the grading machine. Egg inspector works in curtained enclosure.