POULTRY NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 22 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

HATCHING WITH BROODY HENS. COMPARISON WITH INCUBATOR.

(By

Geo. H. Ambler.)'

When only a few broods are required there is no serious objection to the use of hens; but when several hundred chicles or other poultry stock have to be hatched, then incubators are a necessity As a rule, one can secure a larger percentage of chicks under the natural system; but the dearth of reliable hens in the- spring, when most needed, makes the problem of hatching a somewhat difficult one. To secure reliable broodies early m the year, it is customary to retain a large percentage of old hens and force them for early production. This, however, is not so easy as it appears, because of late years the use of the trapnest has played a prominent part in the elimination of broodiness from the stock of the specialist breeder, and he frequently supplies the needs of the ordinary farmer poultry-keeper. The hen scores over the incubator m that it can rear its own brood. The system is of special service to those who may have a liking for pedigree hatching —that is, the hatching of eggs from individual birds or pens. Then for the hatching and rearing of ducks, geesa and turkeys, the hen has no equal, ana the majority of the young birds of this class are the outcome of broody hens. _ Broodfness is established in _ certain strains more than in others, and is never so prevalent during cold weather; but as soon as the warmer weather begins the necessary preparations can be made. It is advisable to make certain that the hens selected are really reliable before making any attempt to use them. Hundreds of eggs are spoilt through sitting hens before they have proved reliable. One should allow a coupl<? of days to elapse after sigils of broodiness are noticed before any serious attempt is made to use the birds; and not until the hens have stayed on their respective nests for a couple of night should they be regarded as reliable. In the meantime preparations can be made for the prospective sitters. It is not wise to allow them to sit where they have been laying, unless, of course, they are out of the way of other stock. The best results are obtained when the hens are removed to a proper sitting-shea, and this enables one to give them all the attention needed. A senu-dark, well ventilated shed makes an ideal place; it must be quiet and free from rats. An earthen floor will assist in keeping the shed moist and cool during hot weather, but is not absolutely essential. CONSTRUCTION OF NEST BOXES. When using a large number of hens, properly-constructed nest-boxes are recommended. These are made in sizes to suit the poultry-keeper, usually large enough to accommodate half-a-dozen hens. Each compartment should measure from 12 to 14in. square, and the floor should be of fine wire-netting to keep out rats. The fronts of the nests should be separate, and hinged from the bottom to open outwards, or arranged in such a way that they can easily be adjusted. Their construction should be such that they can be used out of doors later on if necessary. Ventilation, is provided by holes bored in the front of the nest, or, if preferred, a space of about 2in. can be covered, with small mesh netting. _ A good, roomy, well-formed nest u essential, especially during the early months, and this can be made by blocking the comers with soil. Plenty of nesting material is desirable, a n< \ s o *’ straw should be used to form the dation, followed by a layer of hay. The nest should be saucer-shaped, so that the hen can easily cover the eggs and prevent them, from getting chilled. PLACING THE HENS ON THE NESTS. The hens should be removed to the nests at dusk and given one or two china eggs to test their sitting qualities. Insect infested birds should, be dusted with insecticide beforehand, and only good-conditioned and perfectly healthy specimens should be used. Scaly-legged hens must be barred at all costs. The broodies should be kept as quiet and as dark as possible during the early stages, and allowed 24 hours to become accustomed to their fresh surroundings. They should then be inspected to see whether they are reliable. Good sitters will sit tight when approached, or when the hand is placed under them; but any birds that are flighty, or attempt to escape as soon as the opportunity presents itself, are not fit to be trusted with eggs. As the broodies settle down to business they can be given the sittings, and the more hens that can be put to sit at one date the better, so that when hatching the broods can be made up to satisfactory numbers. One hen should always be kept on hand as a reserve, to be utilised in the event of another giving up or dying on the nest, as sometimes happens. It is customary to place the eggs under th- hens at night. The birds should not be removed from the nests, but gently lifted up a little, the china eggs removed, and the sittings substituted, a note being made of the date, number and variety of eggs, etc. The daily treatment of the hens is simple, and must be carried out regularly. Every day following the date of sitting they must be given the opportunity to leave their nests for food and water and exercise. The hour must be left to the attendant, but morning is the best time, and the hens get accustomed to the hour and become restless unless liberated. Should any of the hens refuse to leave their nests, they must be carefully lifted up by wings and thighs and removed, the fronts of the nests being closed up to prevent the birds going back too soon. Each nest should be examined carefully after the hen has been removed, to ascertain whether the eggs are sound and the nest clean. Should any eggs become broken, the rest must be washed in lukewarm water and replaced after the top layer of hay has been removed.

1 A foul nest of broken eggs will assuredly ' breed lice and fleas, and endanger the life of the young chicken within the shell. Pure air is essential to the youngster,'which is relying upon the air it secured through the pores of the shell. ' Maize is the most suitable diet foi broodies, and they should be given all they want, together with free access to a good supply of water and grit. During the patching period the hens should be left undisturbed as much as possible. They should not be removed from the nest when the eggs begin to chip, and should not be fed on the nest. The empty shells should be removed once or twice during the period, leaving tfift rest to the hens.