THE FANCIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 27

THE FANCIER.

POULTRY.

BY RED CAP

POULTRY RUNS.

W. Cook, tho English poultry expert, writes as follows in Farm and Field: —> Although poultry may be easily kept, and will thrive well in small runs if kept clean, the more room they have the better for them; but as many poultry-keepers arc cramped for apace, wo describe the best way to keep them in close confinement. Half a dozen fowls may bo kept in a run from three or four yards square, but in this case they must be most carefully cleaned out, that is to say, the earth in tho run should be constantly changed, and this is best done after wet weather, as the top scum of tho yard may then be removed in cakes, when clean, fresh earth should be substituted. Tho larger the run is, tho less attention it will require in this respect, and the only rule wo can lay down for changing tho earth is, that it should bo done in wet weather when the run gets dirty. The owner is best able to judge when it requires attention in this matter. The run should also be dug over once a week, or a part of it, as the looso earth occupies tho fowls in scratching. If a part of the run can be covered in, so that it does not cause a draught, it is much better for the fowls, to provide shade in summer and keep the wet off in winter ; and it is also well to provide shelter from the cold winds. This may be done by boarding up part of the aide of the run, or by thatching hurdles with straw, and placing them against the wire outside the runs.

Then under the covered-in part place dry earth or a little loose straw, scattering a few grains of corn under it. This also gives thern employment, and circulates their blood.

It is well to put a perch in the coverodin run (length according to number of birds), as they are very fond of sitting on a perch to clean their plumage. This often prevents them from [plucking their feathers, as they do not then stand about in groups. Where it is not convenient to have a covered-in place a perch in the open run. Where two or three pens of birds are kept, the best way is to keep a lot in an enclosed run, and allow them out separately every day for two or three on a larger piece of ground. Each pen will then have tho advantage of a good run every day, and after a week or so there will bo no trouble in driving them in and out, as they will bo quite used to it and know their way.

To give an example, wo may say that should one have an aero of ground, and want to utilise it to tho best advantage for poultry, divide it across tho centre, and placo tho houses and runs in tho warmest part, and have a slide to each pen into the spare half-acre, so that each pen of fowls has the advantage of a good run every day. The runs must bo mado according to the number of birds required to be Kept in them, from seven to thirty, but if for breeding purposes not more than fifteen. The runs ought to be swept well in wet weather, or the top crust peels off. This system is the best way of keeping poultry when pure, or in pens for breeding, and it is also the most economical as regards tho ground, for to provide a perpetual grass run for each of these pens by other means would require about three times the quantity of ground. Eowls for general purposes may also be treated in the same manner.

Brahmas and Cochins may be kept in a run with wire about three or four feet high, but for tho other breeds it should be from six feet high, and often this is not high enough for some, in which case some wire netting must be put on the top of tho fence or wall, so that it slants inwards over tho run, and thus checks the birds and knocks them back when they fly against it. If this is not suflicient, the run should be covered right in, or one of the fowl's wings must be cut. One is quite sufficient. The flight feathers should be cut just underneath the first row of small feathers, leaving about two of the long feathers afcjtho end. When done in this way the appearance of tho bird is not spoilt. The more comfortable the run can be made the bettor the fowls will like, it, and the increased expense w,ill be compensated for by the extra number of eggs obtained in the winter,

Plenty of ashes or dust must be kept in a dry spot for the fowls to dust themselves in, and these should bo put in tho sun if possible It is also well to have ono part of tho run higher than the other, to allow the water to drain off.

Where two or three pens of birds are kept in runs joining one another, the first three feet of tho side where the pens join should bo boarded up, or else very small mesh netting must be used, or otherwise the cocks will bo sure to fight and damage themselves.