Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

Poultry Notes

OVERHAULING THE HATCHING PLANT Within the next few weeks all hatch ing plants should be in full swing, and all wise poultrymen thoroughly over haul their machines before entrusting them with valuable eggs. Every breeder wants to hatch more this year th: j lust, an J every little defect, ’D < incubatir mexnj .n i .crease in th? mortality. This must be avoided at ail costs. Those who gave their machines a little attention at the end of the hatching season and before they were laid past will reap the benefit now. The most important parts of a machine are those connected with the heating section, which, of course, includes capsules, thermometers, etc. The heating pipes should bo thoroughly cleared of all soot, rust, or other Substances that make it difficult for a steady heat to be maintained. If heated by oil, the burner and wick must be closely examined. If the wick has become encrusted with dust, etc., it should be replaced by a. new one. If the old one remains good, then it should be ascertained that it if reaching right to the bottom of the oil tank, otherwise nasty accidents may happen through the light going out. In these earlier months it is more than essential to make every endeavour to maintain a steady temperature. Fluctuating temperatures are fatal to the chances of good hatching. The machines should be run for a couple of days to see if all is in a working and reliable condition. Defective capsules arc responsible for much loss at the beginning of the season. If the capsule is wrong then there is no hope of registering a steady heat. Capsules arc usually filled with ether, ami if such is detected it may be safely assumed that there is a leakage, and new ones should be put in. If there is a leakage the capsule w ill ho unable to expand sufficiently to go vol 5 the heat. Faulty Thermometers A bent operating rod is another men' ace to success. It should be examined and made thoroughly straight. Faulty thermometers work much damage. These should all bo tested. This can either be done at home or they may be sent away to be examined. Every poultry man should be able to test his own. An absolutely correct thermometer is necessary to check the doubtful ones. This can be done by immersing all in water brought to a temperature of 103 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Some may be working all right but not reading correctly. These can be marked at the place with ink or paint, and in future that mark would be 103 degrees ami it could be worked accordingly. If any are seriously out they should be scrapped right away and new ones put in their place. The egg drawer must be examined, and if at all loose may be tightened up by means of a small nail or screw. The egg drawers are subjected to much wear and tear in a season, and if allowed to get into bad repair they soon have an effect on the eggs in their keeping which is not conducive to good hatching. The brooders or foster mothers must also be overhauled. The lamps must bo kept right, for they are equally important at this stage as when the eggs are being incubated. Foster mothers should have plenty of ventilation, and overcrowding should never be indulged in. As a rule the brooder is said io lie- 1 comodate 150 chickens, but when actually in use it would be folly to pul. that number in it. It might manage to keep 150 chicks in good health for a day or so, but in the course of a few days the chicks would have grown so that there would be barely room for SO chicks. At six weeks old the chirks should be moved into small liuu.*>cs where they can be cooled off.