POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

Moving Chicks From The Brooder

DIFFICULTIES THAT MAY ARISE

(By New Laid.)

Some of the difficulties that may have to be faced when the time arrives for the moving of chickens from the brooders are referred to in “Eggs” (London) by Leonard Robinson, who bases his remarks on the statements of poultry-keepers, who state that, while they successfully rear their chicks in the brooder house, many lots receive a check when they are transferred to the carry-on houses. These complaints .are general, says .Mr. Robinson, and do not refer to d particular system of brooding nor to methods adopted for the growers'. . Whether intensive or extensive rearing is employed throughout or whether th'e'chieks are kept in confinement for the first few weeks, troubles where artificial heat is discontinued are fairly prevalent. In bis opinion serious losses'arise through following the example of the other fellow without taking into account the conditions under which he is -Working or studying in detail the actual procedure adopted by him. To take chicks from the brooder, at. four or five weeks of age may be perfectly sound practice in, certain circumstances; in others it will, be foolhardy—a short cut to financial suicide. The success of this early move must depend on tlie conditions of rearing during the. first few weeks, the conditions under which the birds will be placed for the second stage, and, if they are to go outside, the situation of the farm and prevailing weather conditions. All these factors are directly concerned with the age at which chicks should be removed from the brooder, and unless they are duly considered some batches are going to receive a pretty severe check at a vitally important period when everything should be done to maintain steady progress.

Many are of the opinion that the sooner chicks leave the brooders the better, and consequently advocate their removal at a very early age. In principle most people will agree with their views, though, if we are wise, we shall use the word “safely” when giving that advice. . . . During the latter part of their life in the brooder chicks should be prepared for the conditions they are to meet when they are moved. If-.no artificial heat is to be provided in the second stage, during the last week in the brooder they should be sufficiently hardened to sleep without heat so that there will be no sudden change from comparative warmth to the more rigorous conditions of the ark or carry-on house. This is particularly important when chicks are to be moved to arks.

Guard Against Chilling. If an early move is to be made, which means that heat must be provided in the brooder, a little should also be provided for a week or two after leaving it. Obviously it is impossible to give definite advice on a matter dependent on the weather and other variable factors, but it is at least safe to say that if in doubt continue to give heat a little longer rather than run this risk of chilling, with all the cofnplications which may arise from it. In arks heat is most conveniently and safely applied by a hurricane lamp suspended from the roof. It will take the chill off the atmosphere, and, of equal importance, prevent the chicks crowding into corners. For young chicks it is advisable to use a lamp day and night for the first week, and for the second at night only. This is advised for birds moved at about five weeks of age. Where they are reared in the brooders for the full seven or eight weeks no heat is required unless the weather is very cold, in which case a lamp for a few nights should be sufficient protection against chilling, provided the ark is well designed. ■ The check that so frequently occurs at this stage often is due to chilling, which must not ije confused with the common cold. Young half-fledged chicks are particularly susceptible to abdominal chills, which may set up inflammation of the intestines, resulting in symptoms indistinguishable . from those of coecidiosis, including, be it noted, blood in the'droppings. The birds become loose-feathered, anaemic, they mope, scour, and blood may be seen. The S.P.B.A. have investigated cases where heavy losses have arisen from this cause. Prevention lies in the proper hardening off of the chicks, avoiding drastic changes, and in the construction of the arks so that the birds are not exposed to cold draughts striking from below. The sides should extend between 4in. and din. below the slats, and if droppings boards are not fitted the clearance 'between the base of the sides and the ground should not 'be too great. For the same reason where rearing is done in night arks or houses with sun balconies attached it is necessary to prevent up-draught in the run by extending the sides well below floor level, right down to the droppings board where the latter are fitted. This refers, of course, to the wire or slatted floor extension only, not to the sleeping quarters. When chicks are moved from the brooders to solid floor houses crowding in corners must be avoided at all costs. . . . On many farms it is customary to change the mash when the chicks are moved, a so-called growers’ mash being introduced. It is not wise to be in a hurry to alter the feeding, especially when birds are to be put outside in winter. In my opinion it is better to continue to feed the chick mash until the birds have settled down in their new surroundings, then they do not have to contend with a change of environment and feeding at the same time. Moving is bound to upset them to some extent and the use of the. same mash will help offset the effect of the disturbance. When the birds are seen to be going ahead the change should be made.

Eggs for Incubation. The point that only really fresh eggs should be placed iu the incubator lias been emphasised on numerous occasions, and the following details of one experiment should serve to drive it home that hatchability may be decreased by holding eggs for more than a few days: — Where eggs were kept 1-7 days, 76.2 per cent, fertile eggs hatched. Where eggs were kept 8-14 days, 74 per cent fertile eggs hatched. Where eggs were kept 15.21 days, 64.6 per cent fertile eggs hatched. Where eggs were kept 22-28 days, 32.2 per cent fertile eggs hatched. Where eggs were kept 20-31 days, 0.0 per cent, fertile eggs hatched. Further, it has been shown that the length of storage increases the incubation period, other things being equal. Whether eggs are intended for table or the incubator; the less washing they require the better; even if it is impossible to eliminate all soiling, the number of dirty eggs can’., be , considerably reduced. Clean nests are the first essential. These require all-the-year-round care, but in winter, when the hens’ feet are muddy, states E. ■ Montgomery, in “Poultry World,” the nest boxes must be turned out oftener. Eggs' which get dirty should be drycleaned if possible. This can be done by rubbing them with a pot scrubber. Stains can be removed by the application of a little scrubbing powder. When washing is necessary it is important not to use hot water lest the eggs begin to cook. Never leave them in a pail of water to soak. ’ Setting eggs must never be exposed to extreme cold. In winter collection must be frequent, and ..where fowls are being trapnested the eggs gathered at shuttingup time must never be left in the house overnight. It is well to remember that in winter the hens lay right up to dark and shutting up should not be' left until there is no light to see the numbers on the fowls’ rings. These numbers should always be recorded on the wide.end of the

egg, so that they can be seen when the eggs are packed in the incubator tray. Temperature should also be considered in the storing of eggs for setting. Ibe room in which tliey are kept should never be less than 45deg. F., or more than 05deg. F. Whatever method is used jarring must l>e avoided, for, even if the eggs escape cracking, the germ may be harmed. A cupboard with shelves in which round holes have been ent provides excellent storage. A shelf can be .allotted to each pen, and with individual hatching a row to each hen. If setting egg boxes are used put the eggs in broad end up or the yolk will stick. Eggs kept on their sides must be turned once daily to prevent this sticking. Where open stands lire used it is well to cover the eggs in order to prevent excessive evaporation, which has a bad effect on hatching results. . ■When setting eggs have been selected for size and shell texture, they should be tested in order to eliminate har cracks, watery whites, and blood spots. Treatment of White Comb.

According to an authority on poultry ailments, the disease known as white comb or favu's which affects the combs and wattles of fowls is best countered by painting the affected parts with a weak tincture of iodine. This may be made more effective by the addition of two grains of biniodide of mercury to each ounce of tincture. One painting may not be sufficient, but several, at intervals of a few days, should effect a cure. An alternative remedy is to paint the affected parts with tintcure of chloride of iron similarly. The causative organism is a fungus, Lophoplyton gallinea. The disease is very contagious and is liable to be contracted by humans through abrasions of the skin. Care should be taken, therefore, in handling affected birds. Generally speaking the disease is local and rarely affects the general health to any marked extent, and only insofar as that is the case can it affect the laying. Incidentally, the powdery whiteness seen on the cembs of moulting hens, when much shrivelled up, may easily be mistaken for favus. Brooding Facilities.

Fast experience has shown that poultrykeepers who have successfully weathered the breeding and incubation periods and produced a satisfactory hatch of sturdy, vigorous chicks have spoiled all their earlier efforts by failure to provide suitable brooding facilities for the chickens. It is essential that the brooder will supply enough heat to keep the chicks warm under any condition that may be met, that it can be regulated with a good degree of accuracy, and that it provides sufficient capacity to brood the chicks without crowding. It is useless to hatch chicks at all unless they can be kept under reasonably favourable conditions afterward. Poor brooders, or not enough of them, cause the loss of enormous numbers of chicks every season. 'Whatever other mistakes are made, at least guard against this 'one. A brooder to be efficient, says a breeder who has reared many thousands of chickens, should be able to raise a temperature in the heater compartment to which the chicks have access of from 90 to 95 degrees while empty—not when full of chicks, a. point at which many beginners take the temperature. Furthermore, such a degree of temperature in a brooder will not harm chickens of any age, providing they can move to a cooler zone when uncomfortable. Ideas about brooders being run too hot need not be bothered about so long as that fact is kept in mind. Normally, however, the brooder should be kept at about 90 degrees for the first week; then from that onward the temperature may be reduced about three to four degrees A week for the remainder of the time the chicks are' in the brooders, and till they can do without heat, usually about six weeks. Low temperatures are the cause of more trouble than all the diseases to which chickens are subject.

EGG-LAYING CONTEST

Masse 7 College Results The results for the sixteenth week of the egg-laying contest which is being conducted at Massey Agricultural College are SINGLE PENS. Section A.—A. A. Hoare, W.L. (6), 8(5; A. J. Shatter, W.L. (5), 86; B. E. Wilkinson, W.L., No. 1 (0), 80: W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 1 (5), 85; J. A. Annan, W.L. (5), Soil. S. iSaunders, W.L. (5), 80; Huxtable Bros., W.L. (6), 79; A. Thomsonn, W.L. ((!), 79; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 1 (6), 77; W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 3 (5), 77; A, G Mumby, W.L., No. 4 (5), 76; B. E. Wilkinson, W.L., No. 2 (6), 73; E. O. Collier W.L. (5), 70; Capt. Middleton, W.L., No.'2 (5), 67; ditto, W.L., No. 3 (5). 65; 11. A. Lucas, W.L. (5), 59; A. G. Muinby, W.L.. No. 3 (5), 58: Capt. Middleton, W.L., No. 1 (0), 54; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 2 (3), 35; W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 2 (0), 3a; P. Mummery, Min. (1). 7. Section B.—Huxtable Bros.. A.O. (6). 92; W. A. Larsen, A.O. (6), 85; Mrs. R. Willers, AO. (5), 79: Sunnv River P.F., R.1.R., No. 1 (2), 71; ditto, R.1.R., No. 2 (5), 71; A. A. Hoare, R.I.R. (4), 69: B. Pimm, A. 0., No. 2 (3), 61: ditto. A. 0.. No. 1 (0), 60; K. Mullins, R.I.R. (7), 56; S. Wilkinson, R.I.R. (5), 49; P. Mummery, R.I.R. (5), 37. TEAMS RESULTS. Section C. J. Wilson, W.L., 79, 86, 83, 77, 87, 88 (33) U °H. A. Lucas, W.L., 76. 71, 83. 58, 50, 87 (“s.’ JJ. Morris, IV.L., 60, S 6, 53, 79, 31, S2 (24) 391. Cotswold P.F., W.L., 59, 65, 77, SO, 79, ' O F.’S.' AUen, W.L.. SI. 75, 71, 100, 18r, 39 (26), 384. Sunnv River P.F., W.L., 62, 78, 15. 22, 46, 76 ('2l), 299. J. T. Hazelwood, W.L., 70. 40, 48, 6r, 06, 6l, 50, 45. 41. 20, 34 (10), "°W F. Stent, W.L., 47, 39, 10, 33, 35, 74 (17).' 235. Section l>. W. A Larsen, A. 0., 63, 105, US, 45, 77. 63 (19), 441. E W. Stephenson. A. 0., 81, 75, 72, Sa, 07, 6S (34), 435. , „ . J. I). Wealleans, A. 0., 78. 66, 20r, 30, 1, 44 (15), 231). r, replace bird.