POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 292, 5 September 1931, Page 24

POULTRY NOTES

Cannibalism Among Chickens

(By

"New Laid.")

Cannibalism is a terror to many chicken rearers; others are never troubled with it. Why? Is it a question of food, or what?

There’ {ire those who say it is a vice confined almost entirely to one particular variety of the Leghorn family. That, says a writer in “Poultry World,” takes a lot of believing. Myself, I have seen it among White Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, as well as White Leghorns. Thus, from my own observation, I may say it is not confined to this one breed. One thing is certain about it. Once it makes its appearance in a flock of chickens it spreads with great rapidity. Among the causes stated are the absence of animal protein in the mash supplied; lack of salt, say some. One of the very worst cases of cannibalism 'I have ever seen was’ in a flock in which the protein matter in the mash was strong and the salt supply liberal. Thus I should say, those who swear by either of these causes have not hit on the right one. Lack of exercise, say others. How does this apply to chicks which have an outside run to the house? This, therefore, must have the Scottish verdict—not proven. Biit surely the most farfetched idea is that which blames the sun. They say that the curiosity of the other chicks in the house is attracted by the sun shining through the fine portions of the shanks, that is, between the shank proper and the sinews. This, I think, needs a big dose of salt to make one digest it. One phzzling thing about this toe-pick-ing and tail-picking is that it breaks out in sqrne flocks in the' first *week; with others it has been known to appear when the birds are nicely feathered at eight or ten weeks old.

The cure recommended by some is the supplying of raw meat; .others say a plentiful supply of green food will hot only prevent cannibalism but will cure it when once it has made its appearance. When chickens are confined in small space, and have not room for exercise, one can readily imagine that lack of occupation may chuse the chicks to turn cannibal. The old proverb tells uS: Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. When chicks are highly fed and not given room to exercise, one can readily believe that they may start feather-plucking or toe-picking. One case, a bad case, which I was asked to investigate some time ago, was among a lot of battery-brooded chicks. I came to the conclusion that the lack of interest and consequent lack of exercise was the cause. The birds were closely packed in a heated room, and, like all young things, needed something to take their attention away from such matters as feeding and drinking only. I recommended the'giving of abundance of green food, and suggested that it be hung up on the. outside of the cages so that the birds would have to tear it to pieces. This was done. The result was the cannibalism’* ceased. The stoppage may have come from the exercise given to the birds, little though it was, in the walking from one side of the cage to another and tearing at the green food, and striving and fighting to get it away from each other as the pieces were broken off. It may have been this, or it may have been the cooling effect produced by the green food upon the blood of the chicks. It may have been one, or the other, or it may have been by the combination of the two. However, all who have had long experience of chick rearing know full well that the birds which have! plenty.of exercise and a liberal supply of grqgn food never indulge in cannibalism. . . . Cannibalism is seldom seen when birds are kept in a natural condition.’ Nowadays, when birds are often bred, reared, and kept in most unnatural environment, and no attempt made to produce “a near-as-pos-sible-to-Nature system,” need we wonder that cannibalism and other troubles make their appearapce? If we outrage all natural laws, we must expect trouble. Toe-picking and feather-plucking is. so far as my experience goes, seen in those flocks which are reared without a liberal supply of green food. I have never seen it except among flocks that had little or no green food. Green food is the most important part of the dietary, and no livestock can be kept healthy without It.

Artificial Incubation. Discussing some of the common difficulties being experienced by poultrykeepers at the present time, the Chief Government Poultry Instructof (Mr. 'F. C. Brown) says:—The common cause of deformed chicks being hatched in an incubator is the lack of moisture, resulting in the air-cell drying down too far. This condition means that the membrane (or the skin on the inside of the shell) becomes so tough that the chick cannot pierce it. The constant working in the shell during the effort to get out, and being too long in the shell, injure the delicate legs of the little bird. To the’ observant person a chick, thus affected will usually show an inflamed condition surrounding the hock joints and the feet for at least a day /ifter being hatched, indicating that undue pressure was necessary during its final effort to break out of its shell.

Once a chick becomes affected in this way little or nothing can be done for it, as usually the limbs will become more and more deformed as the bird grows older, and therefore the wise course is to destroy it at the outset. The only satisfactory way of dealing with this trouble is to prevent it, and the great essential is to check, by the application of added moisture, the air-cell from drying down beyond a desired line. Even where chicks fail to hatch it will frequently be found on close examination that the hock joints are in a more or less inflamed condition through no other cause. Indeed, not only is the excessive drying-down of ■ the aircell a frequent cause of crippled chicks being produced, but it is probably more responsible for fully developed chicks dying in the shell at the pipping stage than any other cause. The study of the air-cell. is thus seen to be a matter of vital importance, for upon the operator knowing when added moisture is.required depends largely the success or otherwise of the incubator work. A common argument used against the drying-down of the air-cell being a guide to successful hatches is that at practically all stages of the incubation process eggs may be found in the same incubator with air-cells which vary considerably in size. This is quite true, but there is usually a cause which does not prove the air-cell theory to be wrong. For example odd birds will sometimes produce eggs with thin, porous shells, and these will evaporate more rapidly than those with good-quality shells; hence a uniform aircell cannot be secured. The; placing of washed and unwashed eggs in the same incubator is another cause of uneVen aircells. The washed egg, whether inside or outside an incubator, always means a more rapid evaporation than the unwashed egg, and consequently a larger air-cell. The same applies where stale and fresh eggs are set together, as obviously the older the egg the larger will be the'air-cell. Again, where brown and white-shelled eggs are placed in the same machine, the former, being thicker in the shell, will be slower in their evaporation. It will thus be seen that if best results are/to be obtained from incubators special care should be taken to select eggs as far as possiblfe of uniform colour, size, age, and quality of shell, while on no account should eggs intended for incubation be subjected to washing, unless, of course, they are decidedly dirty, and even then better results will be obtained if any adherent matter is scraped off the shell. Where washed and unwashed eggs or those of different ages are used in the same incubator, a more uniform air-cell can be struck by placing moisture in the machine for the first three or four days. It will generally be found that if the air-cell dries down .in accordance with the usual book instructions, the desired moisture- is being obtained. Worms. , \ Most poultry owners are of the opinion /that the principal injury to the poultry flock because of worm infestation is due to the large amount, or feed that is absorbed by these parasites. < While the loss of nutrients .is considerable and has a detrimental effect ion the flock, such as a loss and general unthriftiness, this does not constitute the, greatest injury to the infested birds. Frpbably the best proof of this statement' is the fact that even though some flocks, are successfully wormed they do not improve in condition as they should. Some of the birds still remain badly out of condition and never fully recover. There are certain poisons produced by the worms that are present in the'intestinal tract that must be absorbed by tKe birds along with the other materials that are present. It seems that one of the poisons that are given by these worms has the property of destroying the red blood cells and in this way bringing about an. anemic condition of the bird. This account® for the pale condition of the comb and wattles in birds that infested with worms. Experienced poultrymen are also acquainted with the condition that is often present in birds that are badly, infested with worms, and that is a paralysis or an affection of the nerves. ; The birds become lame and have difficulty in walking. Sometimes they become paralysed. In some instances birds become blind and in' other cases they are affected with wry neck. In addition to these injuries there.is frequently present an enteritis or inflammation of the intestinal tract; a post-mor-tem examination shows the intestinal walls are thickcnyd and there is some bloody mucous present. Even though no worms may be found,, this condition is often in evidence due to. these parasites that have been removed. Many of these birds fail to improve in condition even though the worms have been expelled.—Dr. George H. Cinn. General Notes.

Slow moulters are not money-makers. Hens which come through the moult quickly produce more eggs during the

autumn and winter than those which take a long time over the job. * ♦ • Poultry need sharp flint grit if they are to thrive. Grit can be tested by putting a few particles in a glass of vinegar. If after the first minute bubbles continue to rise and the grit disappears in a short time, it will serve better as a mineral than as a grit. A grit which dissolves in this way is also dissolved by the digestive juices, and thus never reaches the gizzard, where it is needed. If a grit is desired which will not dissolve, but will exert maximum grinding effect in the gizzard, use a granite grit—“ Poultry World.” » » » Cleanliness is the silver key to success in the poultry business. It is so strongly essential that, given good poultry to start with, it is 'nearly all of it, and yet it is the last thing many poultry-keepers think necessary. It is never advisable to tie the legs of a duck, as the legs, being set much wider apart than those of a fowl, are liable to be strained and permanently injured, and if tied for any length of time the legs will become cramped. Ducks suffer even when carried for a short distance by the legs, whether tied or not. The cause‘of porous shells on eggs, the porosity showing like clear spots through the shells, is the glands which supply the lime for shell formation not working properly. This may be due to some lack of proper condition of the heu or of the oviduct itself. If the hen is fat internally, this may hasten the passage of the egg through the oviduct, not giving time for the shell to be completed; the hen might, on the other hand, need, say, cod-liver oil to help her powers of lime absorption, or need the cathartic action of linseed meal in the feed, which is beneficial to the oviduct. Much trouble is caused by hens being too fat, but this more often applies to two-year-old hens than to young pullets. If pullets to lay well they must have a certain amount of fat in their bodies, and, if properly fed, the possibility of becoming overfat is very remote. With a bird, whether an old hen or a pullet, which is not laying or about to commence, it is a very different matter. It is the sprightly bird which lays the eggs. Avoid overheating the brooder, since to do so will weaken the strongest chicks. Never, therefore, run a brooder without a thermometer. Constant supervision should be given, and the heat regulated according to the state of the weather. Test the temperature every night. If the chicks are comfortably spread round the lamp or heater all is well. EGG-LAYING CONTEST Taranaki Society’s Results Th# following Is the official report of the Taranaki Egg-laying Society’# fourth competllton for, the twenty-second week ended September 22 (in each case the first figure given is the weekly total,.while the second Is the total to date):— /White Legohrns.—A. J. Cadman, No. 1 5—67, No. 2 8-130, No. 3 6—118: G. L. Gaylard, No. 1 6—113, No. 2 S—HD;5 —HD; No. 3 6— 109; Barkers, Nolantowu, No. 1 5—121, No. 2 6—119, No. 3—74; M. Scanlon, No. 1, t 4— 78. No. 2 +s—Oh, No. 3 76—111; R. R. Cannon No. 1 6—122, No. 2 6—121. No. 3 7—144; W. Cronipton, No, 1 3—99, No. 2 5—60, No. 3 5— Gibbons Bros., No. 1 5—106, No. 2 6— No. 3 5-89. No. 4 4—107; E. M. Galvin, 5—119; G. H. Cross, 5—78; G. H. Kent. 5—69. Brown Leghorns.—C. Goodson, I s —121; N. A. Watson, 5—23. Black Mlnorcas. —D. Swadllng, 5—70; C. Strang, 4—36. Rhode Island Red.—W. E. Jones, No. 1 6—68, No. 2 5—71, No. 3 ‘—66; J. O. Law, No. 1 4—78,(N0. 2 5—65, No. 3 5—81..' Black Orpington—V. L. Gane, No. Its —lO7. No. 2 6—132, No. 3 13—194; S. Paterson, No. 1 tO—2l. No. 2 12—27, No. 3 |2-86: F. A. Warren, Nd. 1 16—116, No. 2 5-r-111, No. 3 6-118; D. M. Waddell, No. 1 16-81, No.- 2 8—157, No. 3 16—127, No. 4 5—104; I). Swadllng, 3—53. White Wyandottes.—T. Dowthwaite, No. 1 t 5-90, No. 2 7—145. Golden Wyandottes.—Gibbons Bros, 6—

114. ’ Whit# Hock.—E. M. Galvin, 5—73. Light Sussex. —H. Kirkwood, No. 1 6—86, -No. ? f 5—65, No. 3 4—67; A. J. Davey, No. 1 7—89, No; 2 +6—107, No. 3 o—l9l. Fawn Runner Ducks.—J. Magill, 5—51; V. L. Gane, 6-09; F. A) Warren, 6-106; T. Dowthwaite, 7—93. Khaki Campbell.—T. Dowthwaite, 6—115; J. W. Carrick, o—o.

THREE-BIRD TEAMS. Light Breeds.

land Red. B.O.—Black Orpington. L.S.— Light Sussex. •Signifies bird dead. ISignifies underweight eggs. Massey College Contest The twenty-second week’s results of the Massey Agricultural College egg-laying contest are as follow:— Light Breeds.—F. Ecob, 102—98—101—91— 120 —111, (29), 623; S. G. Batten, 71 —72—63 48—75—121. (35), 450; L. B. Maunsell, 90— 72—54 —x 6—■ffiO, (31). 424’; A. Norman, 82— 62—xBO— xBl, (35), 401; K. Brazendale, 116 —45—40—56—x51, (26), 398: M. L. Boyce, 52—73 —io—x74—94, (30), 398; Mrs. D. A. Stewart, 59—65 —51—69—97—41, (26), 392; J. N. McLean, (29), 296. Heavy Breeds.—Mrs. J. A. B. Hellaby (5 birds), 92-99—20—118—63-35. (22), 422; H. Rushton, 72—42—63—71—63—58, (35), 371* J. N. McLean, 79—73—55—28—38—4;i, (40)’ 318; K. Mouldey (5 birds), 32—52—16 —53—58—22, (21), 233. x Signifies under-weight eggs.

12 3 Total Weekly to total date A. J. Cadman, W.L. 5 8 6 19 315 0. L. Gaylard, W.L. 6 5 6 17 332 Barkers, Nolantown, • W.L 5 6 fl 17 314 M. Scanlon, W.L 4 5 fl 1 15 235 R. R. Cannon, W.L.. 6 fl 7 19 387 W. Crompton, W.L. 3 5 5 13 215 Gibbons Bros., W.L. 5 6 5 16 309 ‘ ' Heavy Breeds. W. E. Jones, R.I.R... 0 5 11 205 J. 0. Law, R.I.R. .. 4 5 5 14 225 V. B. Gane. B.O 5 6 3 14 . 343 S. Paterson, B.O. .. 0 o 2 4 134 F. A. Warren, B.O. .. 6 5 6 17 345 D. M. Waddell, B.O. 6 8 5 19 364 H. Kirkwood, L.S. .. 6 5 4 . . 15 218 A. Jr Davey, L.S. ... 6 7 0 13 297 W.L.—White Leghorn. R.I.R. —Rhode Is-