POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22198, 15 September 1937, Page 13

POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

PROVISION OF GRASS RUNS FOR CHICKENS [By "LEGHORN.-J ANSWER TO COEEESPONDENT "Inquirer," Ashburton.—l think you will find that the chick food you are t using contains charcoal. I agree that I charcoal is valuable for poultry, but the quantity contained In the chick food should be sufficient without feedJ ing any separately. t : i When chickens have reached four weeks of age, it is beneficial to provide a clean grass run where they can exercise and forage in warm and sunny weather. It is necessary to guard against cold winds; if the run is exposed to cold easterly winds make a wind-break by fixing sacking to the windward side of the run, but in doing this, make quite certain that the bottom of the sacking is down to the earth level, or a cold draught will result at the bottom. The quickest growing green food for chicken runs is Italian ryegrass. Besides growing quickly, ryegrass, when young, is relished by the chickens. Because of its quick growth it also affords an appreciable amount of shelter. It is necessary when planting ryegrass to roll the ground after the seed has been p/anted because if the earth is left loose the chickens will quickly scratch out the growing grass and in no time the run will be bare. . First Food for Chickens Opinions differ on the period that should pass between the time the chickens hatch and the time they receive their first meal. The writer has found that after the chickens have been away from the incubator about 12 hours they are usually looking for something to eat. The first feed is usually the finest size of chick food and it is a good plan to place a piece of newspaper on the floor and spread i the chick food on it. Water should be provided at the same time—it is truly remarkable the quantity of water baby chicks consume. Do not neglect to provide chicken grit right at the beginning. After the chickens are three days old start feeding dry chicken starter mash. This starter mash is expensive but it is well worth the outlay, as if the quality of the food is good it gives the chickens a very good start. Some p6ultry-keepers mix their own chicken mash and while this results in a considerable saving it is considered wiser for the novice or small poultry-owner to purchase his requirements from a reliable manufacturer. This dry mash should be fed in small food hoppers, and should be always before the chickens. They never seem to tire of eating it. Finely chopped green food—chickweed, silver beet, or fine grass—can safely be fed when the chicks are three days old. Continue feeding the small chick food until the chickens are a fortnight old, and then change on to a coarser grade of chick food. Chickfood is expensive, and while the chickens should receive sufficient, do not feed more than they consume at the time. With a constant supply of dry chick mash before them, the chickens will eagerly scratch round for the chick food when j it is scattered in the chaff. Catching a Hen A bird may be caught by the use of a catching hook or net, or she may be rounded up in a corner and driven into a specially constructed catching crate. The egg production of the flock will be least affected when the birds are handled gently and quietly. A satisfactory method of holding a hen is to rest the body on your left wrist and forearm, with the forefinger extended between the legs, and let the thumb grasp the right leg above the hock, and the second and third fingers hold the left leg. In this position the bird is comfortable and relaxed, and may be turned in any direction without discomfort. Weak Chickens In practically every batch of chickens which is artificially reared, a few weak chickens will be noticed. These usually show up between the second land fourth days'under the brooder. The cause of this weakness is often due to faulty digestive organs, as some I chickens are internally incapable of digesting the food supplied. It never i pays to nurse or "coddle" weak chicki ens. Even if the breeder succeeds in rearing them, the chances are 100 to one against their proving profitable i units of the laying flock. Weakness in chickens should not be confused I with overheated chickens which frequently are seen under the brooders. In the latter case the chickens have ! stayed under the brooder so long that they have become more or less dazed with the heat. After chickens are past their third day it is a wise plan to lift the brooder gently at feeding time, and chase from under any chickens which have not come out to get the food. . i,i_i_ Weak chickens are also susceptible to disease. This is another reason why they should be destroyed. As soon as they are discernible the cockerels should be removed, as the pullets grow very much better without them.