REARING CHICKENS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21156, 1 October 1938, Page 15

REARING CHICKENS

BALANCED DRY MASH OF GREAT IMPORTANCE

GREEN FOOD 'ESSENTIAL The most critical period in the growing or rearing of chickens comes before they are six weeks old, and it is very easy to make the mistake of letting the pullets more or less shift for themselves after they are well started. While it is perfectly true that a great deal more attention must be given to the younger chicks that are still in need of heat, there are at the same time many points that must be given careful consideration throughout the growing period, that is, up until the pullets are six months old, at least, if the financial record of the pullet rearing operation is to show a satisfactory profit. There is no more important factor in the situation than what and how to feed. It has taken many years to learn what is known in the way of specific principles that underlie successful feeding. There is, however, still much to be learned, but in the meantime it will pay well to plan the feeding operations so as to take full advantage of the facts that have been established.

It is not so many years ago that the common recommendation was to start chicks on grain only, and very limited quantities at that, and adding mash to the ration only after the chicks were from a week to 10 days old. This system of feeding did avoid some of the troubles that frequently attended the starting of chicks on full mash feeding. But the important thing that is well understood now, but what was not apparent then, is that the difficulties were only indirectly caused by the high level of mash feeding. Chickens cannot make efficient use of a high protein ration unless it is also complete in all other . respects. Environmental conditions must likewise be favourable. When these other conditions are not properly met, better results will be obtained by limited feeding on low protein rations, that is to say, if by better chicks is meant more uniform growth, more activity, and relatively low mortality. All cf this will be secured, however, as a decided sacrifice in rate and economy of growth. In these enlightened days, commercial poultrymen feed dry mash to their chickens right from the first feed, and there is no doubt that a well-balanced dry mash will promote rapid growth. There are several wellknown brands of starter mash on the market, and if the number of chickens to be raised is few, it is better to purchase a good brand of ready mixed mash than to have the trouble of mixing one’s own. Dry mash should be constantly before the chickens until they have reached four months of age. It is not difficult to construct a simple mash hopper which will hold sufficient mash to last the pen for two days. The hopper should be refilled each morning, and one then has the satisfaction of knowing that the birds always have a reserve of mash in the hopper.

When a dry mash is used, chicken grain should also be fed, but do not make the mistake of feeding more chick grain than the birds will eagerly consume. Watch the water supply, because with dry mash feeding the chickens drink remarkable quantities of water. Water is cheap, but an ample supply is essential. See that the water container is shaded from the sun, because with the coming of warmer weather the danger of tepid water causing scouring should be avoided.

All chickens need green food, and this, like water, is cheap. Well-fed and well-housed chickens are a treat to rear, and by attending to their simple feeding needs, chicken-rearing can be both profitable and pleasurablt.

Chickens which have been overheated are hardly worth feeding, because’ if the check has been severe the chances are they will not develop into good, strong, profitable birds. Another of the chief causes of mortality in young chicks is the result of overcrowding. Chickens cannot sweat, as they have no sweat glands in the skin, therefore the impurities and moisture must be crowded out through the breathing. If the chickens are overcrowded, and there is not sufficient ventilation in their night quarters, the air becomes filled with impurities and laden with moisture, commonly called sweating, which places an unusual strain on the system of the bird in many ways, more especially upon the kidneys which results in a weakened system. If the chickens come from the brooder in the morning weak and tottering and with no appetite, this accounts for much of the lack of vitality which is found in many batches of chicks.