THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 252, 5 August 1937, Page 8

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

MODERN LAYING BATTERY. TOPULAR SYSTEM OF PRODUCTION. Tho wholo poultry world is turning its attention to the modern laying battery which has proved a wonderful system of egg production. There is no doubt about it that the laying battery has come to stay. When the system first became known it was not regarded too favourably, because it was felt by some that the birds would be unhappy. Time has proved that the birds give no indication of being unhappy, nor of becoming ill, even though they have remained in tho laying batteries for more than twelve months. The intensive system came about in an endeavour to provide easier and greater control of the birds. Unfortunately cannibalism and other vices had to be kept in check. The single cage laying battery is really a super-intensive method of keeping layers free from bullying and in good health. Birds in laying bateries have as much food of all the various necessary sorts as they require, and, what is more the foods are perfectly clean and untainted by disease. The birds are definitely kept freer from diseases than is possible with any other method of housing. Not only is an ailing bird unable to come into contact with a healthy one, but all droppings pass out of reach immediately. The birds are kept perfectly protected from every type of weather, and ventilation is good because there is no overcrowding. As each bird is in a separate, well-ven-tilated cage, there is no huddling in corners or crowding on perches. Most cage fronts are self-closing, being hinged at the top so that very easy handling of the birds is possible. Low Cost of Production. The actual low cost of production of the eggs is brought about mainly by the reduced expenses of feeding, cleaning, culling and management and one should certainly not feed a cheap food or use poor equipment. The food boxes generally contain sufficient for a week’s supply, while the water troughs generally require filling about twice a week. Rats are quite unable to foul the food, which is quite a consideration. Daily observation can be made of each bird’s health, droppings and food consumption, so that one can easily cull any bird which requires it. Culling is also aided by the fact that a record can so easily be kept of each individual bird’s output. Birds moult quickly because they are not affected by bad weather and the broody hens return to lay more speedily than birds kept under any other system. No litter or dust bath is required and there is no cannibalism, no egg eating, no dirty eggs, no spreading of disease, and no fouling of food or water. Many poul-try-keepers overseas added laying batteries to their plant simply because such birds can be relied upon to provide good egg production during spells of bad weather. Any spare building can be put to good use to house batteries. Fortunately any breed or variety- of breed may be used in a battery. There does not seem to be any danger of birds becoming overfat especially if the right foods are fed. It has been found that many culls, kept in batteries have given astounding results. Birds discarded from breeding pens as unsuitable for production have been put into laying batteries with every success. Pure breeds, first crosses* or mongrels can all he kept in batteries. A suitable battery cage should effect its purpose in the simplest manner and at a reasonable figure. Firstly ’t should provide adequate spa.ee for the fowl. It is preferable to have one bird only rather than two in a single cage. An average cage is 2 feet high (overall), 14 inches wide, and 16 inches deep. Thus a 12-cage unit (double-sided, six each side), would be 7 feet 3 inches long by 4 feet wide and would suit houses 10 feet wide, and allowing 6 feet of headroom. Houses which are 5 feet 6 inches to eaves and 8 feet tj apex will take a 6 feet high battery of three tiers of cages quit© easily. From these figures any other cage calculations can be made. For example, one thousand cages, for a profitable unit, can he accommodated in a house 60 feet by 20 feet. £ome cages are larger—lß inches by 17 inches and this size permits the bird to turn round rather more easily, but this is not a very important point. Floors Are Important. Cages may be of all-metal, all-wood or metal and wood construction, hut there is little to choose between them. Metal lasts the longest, and is easiest to clean, hut all woods are cheaper. The floor is important, and is preferably made of a strong square of hexagonal mesh woven wire, cleanly and well galvanised. It should be strongly built so as not to sag after use. It should not he inclined at more than 15 degrees in order to ensure comfort, although floors badly made of cheap wire netting may have to be inclined to r.s much as 30 degrees in order to ensure the eggs rolling forward properly. The front of the floors should be turned up or ledged to form a 6in gutter for the eggs, and they should remain in such a position that the hens cannot reach them and eat them before collection. The front grid should he strong but light and permit of easy entry for the birds. It may swing upwards and outwards or sideways, or it may be lifted out. Everything should he detachable for thorough cleaning. The quickest scheme is to have the cages fitted with a roller attachment upon which a hand revolves, and so removes the droppings. The slower but excellent alternative is to have sliding metal dropping traps. These should be well clear of the floors allowing proper ventilation between them, and accumulated droppings should be prevented from reaching the floor.