POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 14

POULTRY KEEPING FOR PROFIT

♦ OVERCROWDING AND MOULTING [By "LEGHORN.”] It is only a short time before the layers will be in the moult. It is not natural for a hen to lay when it is moulting, and because of this it is advisable to send to market any surplus stock at the first sign of moulting rather than wait until the bird is right out of production. Many poultry-keepers believe that a hen takes about six weeks to moult and return to production, and that the earlier a bird moults the sooner she will again be a profitable unit on the farm. When a bird moults at the natural time six or eight weeks usually sees her back in the laying nest. The earlier a bird moults the longer she is off the lay. I have found from experience that when it is necessary to reduce the fleck to make room for the pullets that it pays to dispose of the early moulters. Early moulters arc often deceiving; they cast their feathers and grow new. plumage but do not redden up and start to lay like late moulters. I have had hens in the moult for a month before other hens have started to moult, and the latter have been back in production first. It is definitely a mistake to overcrowd birds. Fewer birds with more room will invariably lay better than when overcrowding exists. It is usually found that when the moulting season is in full swing the markets are fully, or even over-sup-plied, with hens, and in view of this, it will often be found that better prices are obtained if the surplus birds are marketed earlier. Concrete on the Farm The value of concrete in poultryhousing is being recognised more and more. When erecting poultry-houses concrete foundations are much preferred to hardwood piles. Not only is concrete lasting, but it has the effect of making the exclusion of mice and ether vermin comparatively easy. While concrete has for long been recognised as making an excellent floor for brooded houses, there has been a certain amount of prejudice against concrete floors for the laying houses. During recent months I have noticed that this prejudice is befhg overcome and many poultry-keepers have been busy concreting the floors of their houses.

When concrete flooring is used it is important that the concrete be dry before the straw is laid, and the birds are housed. If the litter is put in before the concrete has thoroughly dried out, the litter will draw moisture from the concrete and quickly become damp. Damp litter is dangerous, as it makes an ideal breeding ground for disease. It is an easy matter to clean out and disinfect a fowlhouse which has a concrete floor, and providing ample good dry litter is provided I prefer concrete to the ordinary earth or clay floor. The Early Pullets No poultry-farmer can afford to house anything but healthy,, vigorous pullets. Pullets with crooked beaks, toes or backs, or any other body defect which would prevent the birds from obtaining abundance of feed, should be discarded. If pullets are to be used as prospective breeders, they should be free from all standard disqualifications. If the flock is to be used for commercial egg production only, then some of these standard defects can be overlooked as long as the birds are healthy and active. Early laying in pullets is very much to be desired, but it not be so early that the bird begins to lay before she has a well-developed body that will insure large eggs and the ability to lay over a long period. To be a profitable producer, a bird must be healthy and vigorous. A healthy, vigorous condition in pullets is indicated by bright clear eyes, bright red wattles and comb, and a body that is well grown and well-finished. A nervous, active, energetic temperament is generally characteristic of both pullets and hens which make high records. A hen with the nervous disposition is not flightly, but is quickthinking, curious, and friendly. Pullets with small bodies rarely have a strong enough constitution to make a high egg record. Try to build a large body before egg production begins. The growing mash may be diluted with maizemeal to hpld back sexual maturity. and at the same time to bring on body flesh. Hens and Pullets It is frequently noticed on many farms, especially of the smaller type, that pullets are frequently drafted into houses with hens. Too often the young stock are placed in before they are fully grown and a very serious setback occurs, which reacts greatly on future egg production. The hens, being the older inmates of the houses, rather resent the intrusion of the newcomers and immediately they adopt a bullying attitude. They will persistently try to stop the pullets from feeding, chase them off the roosts, and later try to oust them from the nests. The pullet at this stage is a nervous bird and reacts greatly to the treatment. While the usual excuse is lack of room, it is pointed out that such amalgamations should only be a last resource. If the hens are to be marketed soon it is better to put them out of the way first, even if you do lose a few eggs. You will lose far more

eggs by allowing the pullets—with all their future before them—to be given such a setback. Vermin in Next Boxes This is the time of the year that nest-boxes and sections want regular attention for vermin. Often farmers wonder where the birds collect the vermin, as the perches may be quite clean, and it is invariably found that nests are overlooked. .Use creosote, wood-preserving oil. the blow-lamp or flame-thrower regularly, and pay particular attention to regular supplies of clean nesting material. Where nests are heavily oiled, close them for a day or two until the excess is absorbed and the odour goes off.