Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

Poultry Notes

POINTS FOR THE REARING OF BROODER CHICKENS As has been already pointe’! out chilling is one of the gravest dangers to the day-old chicks, and great care must be taken during the first few days, at least, that they do not get into draughts; every care must be taken to keep them as comfortable and warm as possible. During the first few days they do not need to eat a great deal, but heat is very essential, writes an English breeder. A good plan is to transfer them to the brooder after dark. Put them close up to the heat, and they will settle down quickly for the night, and by next day the majority have an idea where they feel most comfortable, and keep within the zone. To protect them further, and prevent them from wandering, a ring of wire netting can be put round tho heat, which will keep them from congregating in the corners. If the chickens are moved in tho daytime, the windows of the brooders can be covered, for during the very early stages of chicken life, all that is wanted is sleep and heat. Owing to the constant heat, the woodwork of the brooder is apt to become warped, and draughts are admitted. Such are not conducive to successful chicken rearing, for as a result chickens will fade away in a few hours with pneumonia. Batches will be found dead every morning from no apparent cause. A rough and ready post-mortem should be made. As a rule the digestive organs will appear quite healthy, bul when the lungs are examined they will be found to be dark and congested. In a healthy chick the lungs should be of an unmistakable salmon-pink hue. Many poultrymen, now that they have solved tho leg weakness problem, have the floors of the brooders made of cement, which of course prevents draughts. XVhere wooden-floored brooders are used a good plan is to cover the floor with stout brown paper before putting down the litter. In a like way the walls should be lined. At one time a big mortality had to be faced in the endeavour to get the chicks out into the runs as quickly as possible. Many of the more delicate chicks contracted colds, which they could not throw off. They would hang about, get chilled, and pneumonia would put an end to their misery. The dis covery that cod liver oil supplied th< all-powerful vitamin D, which preventi leg weakness and rickets, docs awaj with the haste in getting the chicks on to mother earth. This must not, however, be overdone. Some chicken-raisers advocate 2 per cent., but excellent results have been achieved with only one per cent. It is better to underdo the treatment than to overdo it. If the supply of cod liver oil is not sufficient, some chickens will show signs of going off their legs, but if the supply is increased they quickly respond, and the check is little or nothing. On the other hand, if too much cod liver oil is being given, digestive troubles set in, from which they may take weeks to recover. A more satisfactory method is to purchase a ready-made mash, which contains the cod liver oils; the oil will be more evenly distributed throughout the mash, and the whole batch of chickens will get their fair share and no more. There should be no undue haste in chasing young chicks into the runs, especially in this very variable and inclement weather. They are safer indoors at present. General Items The digestive tract of a lien is short and the time in which to digest is short. This calls for plenty of easilydigestible feed properly balanced in respect to proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, etc., with supplementary vitamins where not provided otherwise, and plenty of clean, fresh water. All of these elements are required to build and maintain blood, bone, tissue, and even feathers, and provide the wherewithal eggs are inado of. During a visit to a fowl fattennig establishment in Sussex, a representative of “The Poultry XX’orld” noticed men throwing handsful of fine loam into the feeding troughs. On inquiring why this was done, the reply received was that it prevented feather-picking, which is one of tho great troubles, especially during hot weather, with birds put into cages for fattening. The birds were picking at the mould with great avidity, and apparently had a eraxing which the earth satisfied. When choosing birds for tho breeding pen, whether pullets or hens, the ; aim should be for birds of uniform laying type, combined with point- indicating good health and constitutional vigour. The latter quality is usually indicated by a prominent bright eye, bright red comb and face, close and thick feathering, short shanks, set xvcll apart, well-developed crop, and a general active appearance. The chief points indicating egg capacity are an oblong body, width across the back, depth : nd fullness of abdomen, together with liuo texture throughout.