POULTRY NOTES.

Shannon News, 31 July 1925, Page 2

POULTRY NOTES.

NOTES,

♦- CHICKEN REARING. Before the chicks leave the incubator, make certain that the chicks are thorouglily dry, beiore exposing them, to the outside air. That is to say, see that the down or feathers, are really dry. if, ior any reason,’ the chicks are not taken out when dry, the heat should be decreased in the incubator, so as to counteract the body heat of the chicks. This is imperative’, as otherwise they will be considerably weakened by "the humidity of the incubator. Once the door of the machine has been opened it Is inadvisable to close it right up again, but raihor should the width be increased, because as soon as the fresh air gets to the youngsters their lungs expand anu they consume a good deal more nitrogen" than previously. Hence the need for the open door.

So many people make the mistake of confining chicks in a small, stuffy’ ill-ventilated brooder, the idea being to give plenty of heat ior fear they may catch cold, and deprive them of fresh air to such a degree that tremendous harm may he done. Again, cases have come before the notice of the writer, where a number of chicks have been placed in a box covered by a sack (or sacks) through which a very meagre allowance of air was permitted to penetrate. Naturally, the young stock was considerably weakened, but the person who, reared them blamed the breeder from whom the eggs were purchased!. Given the circumstances outlined above, it follows that the greater the number of chicks, so much more appalling do the conditions become. Here is another example;—A hundred chicks were placed in a box on the sun. This “brooder” was supplied with a glass top through which the sun poured the’day long. If the reader has stayed for any length of time in a hothouse during the summer he probably has some conception of what those 100 chicks, endured. Practically all of them died, and those that survived that , “black hole” were practically worthless. Our maxim .is, then, “Plenty of air, plenty of sun, good shelter, absolute cleanliness.” With regard to the latter admonition it might be as well to mention that brooders should be cleaned out every day—without fail. Moreover, always use new ground in preference to ground over which other fowls have previously run. Where this is not possible cleanliness is the whole secret.

Remember, the first few days out of the incubator is a most critical period in the life of the future pullet, anu in a couple of nights it is. possible to spoil a liealthy, promising brood. As the chicks become old it is necessary to enlarge the brooder house, and in this direction it may be stated that it is better to overdo it than to cramp the inmates. Now, with regard to feeding, choose a first class commercial chick-food—-in fact, the best procurable—and feed it right from the beginning. Failing this rolled oats, or oatmeal may be given as a substitute. Some chickenraisers feed, crumbled hard-boiled eggs, mixed with bread-crumbs, but this should not be overdone. If the- youngsters do not appear to be making much headway, a good pick-me-up may be made by grating an onion (or part of one, according to number of chicks) on tot a plate, thicken with oatmeal (or bran and pollard), and feed out. Feed green food twice a day. It is found (by’ observation) that 50 chicks will easily eat daily a kerosene tin of chaffed green food, and sometimes more. Toe-picking is traceable to faulty management, more • especially in the provision of green food. Continue with the chick food lor about 5 weeks, after which time crushed wheat may be blended with it, gradually increasing the grain constituent until such time as the crock food disappears altogether from the ration. The addition qf hulled oats, in small quantities, will prove beneficial. Three parts of crushed wheat, one part of crushed or hulled oats, to onecpart crushed maize, up to the age of 8 to 10 weeks. After that the ordinary fowl feed may be given.. If the hulled oats are not available, four parts of wheat to one part of maize (both crushed) is a good alternative. Until the pullets are fully grown it. would be preferable to feed kibbled instead of full maize, as the latter places too great a tax on the stomach, whereas the kibbled maize is more easily assimilated. As soon as the sex of the young stock can be distinguished it is desirable that the pullets and cockerels be reared separately. It is impossible to over-stress the importance of preventing overcrowding, as much useful time and good money may be wasted in trying to successfully rear stock that has been cramped from the time they left the incubator. Never allow young chicks to roam about on wet days, when' the wind may be bleak and the ground sodden. A good point to watch is that of never allowing the. chicks to go out unless the ground is absolutely dry. After the new feathers have come a little more latitude may he given, but in this direction it is well to remember Mr Leger’s words: “The prime essential in chick-rearing is a well-balanc-ed judgment, translated into action.” Sunlight is a powerful body-build-er and disease-killer. Use it to the ut-most-take advantage of every hour of it from the moment they are born, and you will do much towards securing a healthy, profitable flock.