THE POULTRY RUN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 82, 13 September 1915, Page 4

THE POULTRY RUN.

Separating The Sexes.

Do not take away the chicks from the mother bird too early, for if tbe weather takes a sudden turn for tbe worse the little ones may suffer from cold, which will cause cramp, often with fatal results. The chicks should be wdlfeathered, and the first to leave the parent wing should, of course, be the cockerels, when they are about two months old. If left longer they ate apt to frighten the pullets, especially at feeding time 3. Like boisterous boys, they seem to take a real pleasure in chasing their companions of the weaker sex. On the other hand they should not be placed directly in the general run, as they may be trampled on or pecked to death by the old birds. It is advisable to give them a coop to th°mselves; or, better stil, if the birds are being bred for the sake of future egg production, the cockerels should be sold to poultry keepers who make a practice of fattening up male birds for market. A good price is obtainable which gives a profit. It is a great mistake to allow the young cockerels and pullets to grow up together in the same ruD, for it causes a marked decrease in the number of eggs later when tbe pullets start laying. If separate coops are provided let them be well constructed, so as to prevent all possible damp and draught—not ventilation. Many poultry-keepers construct a ccop in such a manner that it may be easily taken apart and put away during the season when not in use. Provide a finely-cut scratching litter, not heavy enough to injure the legs. Chaff, chopped straw, and sawdust are the best; and a little grit may be thrown among it so -is to provide the chicks with plenty of exercise. A frequent cause of loss among chicks ib the mixing of broods. If only one setting is hatched out at a time there is of course no danger, but otherwise it is beat to keep the light-coluured and darkbodied chicks, with their respective mothers, in separats coops, for maternal jeabuay is strong, even in hers, and a peck from an irate hen is not conducive to improve the health of the chicks.

Once the pullets are old enough to be introduced into the general run care should be taken to set that they are marked distinctly; otherwise it becomes no ligbt matter to distinguish the old and young stock if it comes to the question of selling them. One method ib to punch a hole in the web of the foot—a special apparatus being sold for the purpose, costing about a shilling. But the use of coloure.l rings is quite as effective.