POULTRY KEEPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4911, 4 December 1925, Page 1

POULTRY KEEPING.

CARE OF GROWING STOCK.

(By F. C. Brown, Chief Poultry Instructor, Journal of Agriculture.)

Now that many chickens are halfgrown it is well to reiterate that if they are to develop into really profitable stock they must not be neglected in any way. In the first place good and liberal feeding is imperative, included among which should be an abundance of green food. Before the young birds are removed from the brooder to the colony house, and especially where adult stock have been previously kept, the whole of the interior of the quarters should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as a prevention against parasitic life. One of the strongest points in favour of an incubator is, that it does not breed vermin—a source of probably the greatest leakage at the present time in connection with poultry-keep-ing. It is true that chickens will do well to a greater or lesser extent when With the natural mother, even when infested with vermin, but vermin are practically fatal, to the artificially produced chicken. Another important point hi the management of growing stock is to keep the different ages and sexes as distinct as possible ,s,o that the treatment may harmonise with the stage of development of the different-aged birds. On many plants there is altogether too little classification of stock. The best. results will never be secured unless, the chickens of different ages are penned separately, and the treatment of each pen is in uniformity with the special demands, of the particular occupants. When chickens are first drafted from the brooder to the colony house the sleeping portion should be more or Tess secluded—in other words, similar in all respects to the brooder conditions they have been removed from. In this way they will be induced to settle down, and the risk of huddling in corners, thereby minimised. Perches about Ift fromthe ground with some grain sacks placed over them will usually liave the effect of preventing huddling. Of course, the sacks should be arranged in such a way that plenty of fresh air is available to the birds at all times. The risk of losses through huddling and its evil effects will, also be greatly lessened by rbunding the corners of the house with wire netting.

It is a mistake to confine halfgrown chickens in a small run or* to curtail exercising space in any way, as this is one of the most common causes of leg weakness and other troubles. Plenty of exercise is specially necessary for the growing bird to keep it in a healthy, thriving condition,. Another requirement is clean ground or a run that has been spelled for some considerable time. A stale run, especially where adult stock have recently had access, is responsible for much of the weedy stock and layers 61 small eggs, which are becoming far too common. No care or attention is too good for the growing pullet, from which so. much will be expected at a later date in egg production. It must not lie forgotten that if a chicken once receives a setback it may never recover.

Good shade, grit, dusting-places, and shelter from wind are also among the requirements for the maintenance of good health,in the developing bird.