Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

Poultry Notes

BROODER TROUBLES Many poultry-keepers have sought my advice as to the poor results and troubles encountered in the artificial rearing of chickens but with few exceptions the correspondents have failed to give full particulars relative to the special conditions under which the young binds are being reared, while, worst otf all. no mention is made as to the particular make at brooder they are using. Thus it is next to impossible to even suggest the probable cause of the trouble.

There are now so many different styles of brooders and methods of working them that any instructions given in these notes or by letter could not be applied: generally. Correspondents when asking for advice regarding the troubles they encounter should always give the name and the particular style of brooder they are using. Without these details it would be merely guessing on my part to express an opinion with any degree of certainty as to the probable cause of failure. Usually my correspondents merely give a few particulars relative to symptoms such as droopy wings, etc.—symptoms which manifest themselves in affected chicks from almost any cause. On the other hand, in most cases the correspondents give full details relative to tfte food provided, thus indicating that in their opinion the food alone is responsible for the chicks’ failure to live. For the successful rearing of chickens good food is always essential, but this is only one important link in the chain of management. The best food ration ever planned will not spell success if other essential details are neglected.

It is safc to say that chill is responsibe for the loss of more chicks than all other things put together. For example, if chicks become chilled bowel trouble soon appears. Once this disorder sets in little or nothing can be done to save thorp, and it will generally pay in the long-run to destroy all chicks so affected rather than try to doctor them. In addition to bowel trouble there are other signs indicating chill. such as huddling, droopy wings, a distressed chirp, ex-

cessive thirst, an<i no inclination to leave the brooder or to eat. To prevent chill the brooder should be maintained 1 at a more or less uniform degree of temperature, but it should bo so arranged that the chicks are given, an opportunity of moving away from the heat when it is excessive: Gene rally, if given tho opportunity, and of course where they arc not overcrowded-, they will secure the degree of warmth that instinct demands.

Where brooders of the canopy type are used the chicks are afforded an opport unity of moving to and from the main source of heat, and socnr-1 ing a desired degree of temperature. It is true, however, that even with this class of brooder the chicks will sometimes crowd into corners of the house, rather than remain in clos<‘i reach of the brooder. The cause of this behaviour is usually put down, to excessive heat in the brooder room. Generally, however, it is due to a ground draught. Fresh air is of cqiral importance to desired warmth, but above all things it must be provided without draught. If there is a draught ' from any particular quarter the f chicks will gradually move away front i it until the corner is reached, indicating that they .prefer to leave the chief source of heat (so essential for I their welfare) rather than remain in j a draught.

The huddling brings on a sweated condition, and this is fatal to chicks at any time. As a preventive I would advise placing on the floor of the I house a board—say,' Ift. high—a fowl feet away from the brooder, as aj' draught break. If the behaviour of ■ the chicks is observed the direction : from which the draught is coming I will soon be detected 1 , so that the • board or boards, as the case may he. can bo place* l ! in the right po&uianj Of course, care must be taken that the chicks are given sufficient space l to move well away from the heat when this is excessive, a condition | which may easily happen when warm weather prevails. Chicken-rearing is a business of little details, and if these are not observed in evtfry res- j poet the best results cannot possibly ; be achieved,.

The importance of cleanliness in the management of brooder chicks cannot be overestimated!. Dirt, means disease, infection, and the presence of vermin, an/1 once these make their appearance mortality may bo expected. The quarters should Le kept sweet, and clean by frequently renewing the bedding and litter material. Before now batches of chicks are moved to the brooder tho whole of the quarters should be thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with a weak solution of sheep dip;’ it is one of the things which never fail to give trouble. It is al wavs a safe policy to have too few chicks in the brooder than, too many. Feeding of Chicks "While a uniform warmth, plenty of ventilation without draught, and strict attention to cleanliness are the brief factors in rear* ing brooder chicks, the matter of providing the right class of food, must not be overlooked. There are numerous mixtures that will give equal results. The main point is to feed sound, wholesome food 1 . Dry. course, oatmeal is ideal for the first few meals. This may be followed by a reliable brand of chick-raiser. During the early stages it is a good plan, to slightly moisten the broken grains with swe’et milk or hot water some time before using. This will make the food more easily digested. Few people realise the value of dry course bran for young chicks. Right from, the start it should be in reach of the little birds to pick at. An important point in rearing brooder chicks i* .to keep them.well exercised. The best wav of inducing this is to feed some chick-food in the litter awl make them scratch for it. Grit, charcoal, and clean water should always be in easy reach right from the first, while fine’lv cut succulent green material should bo fed daily after the third ( l av .—p. c. Brown. * Chief Poultry Instructor, Wellington.

Japanese Poultry Industry. One of tho largest consignments of stud poultry yet shipped to Japan from Australia recently left Sydney. They were consigned to the Japanese Government poultry stations at tho respective destinations. The shipment comprised 143 "White Loghorns and 11 Black Orpingtons, practically all tested or pedigree stock, and were valued at £454 Ils. The White Leghorns were from tho Governments stocks. The Japanese poultry experts are very keen on obtaining tested and pedigree birds, and several shipments have been made during the last few years. Japan is building up its poultry industry by infusion of new blood of coinmei,-ial breeds regardless of the cost, so long as the stock is of the best.