THE POULTRY-RUN.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 3, 20 September 1916, Page 238

THE POULTRY-RUN.

F. C. BROWN,

Chief Poultry Instructor.

BROODER PRACTICE.

A preliminary essential - to the successful rearing of artificially hatched chicks, whether it be with a heated or a fireless brooder, is to ensure that the eggs intended for hatching purposes contain strong germs, the basis of which is allowing in the' breeding-pens only birds that possess a strong constitution. Not only must the breeding-stock be constitutionally strong, but they must be maintained in a perfectly healthy state during the whole time they are producing eggs for reproductive purposes.. Where eggs are being laid with pale sickly-coloured yolks it may be taken for granted that the food supplied is not what it should be, and that trouble will be met in both the hatching and brooding stages. Eggs containing the deep-coloured yolk are the most desirable for hatching purposes, and neither the deep-coloured yolk nor a good healthy germ can be secured from a bird which is poorly fed. Generally speaking, the greater the range given to the breeding-stock the stronger will be the chicks produced.

When a strong, healthy hatch of chicks is secured and they are placed in the brooder, the first thing to attend to is the heat. Care must be taken to see that a uniform degree is maintained, especially during the first fortnight. Undoubtedly variation of temperature is the chief cause of mortality. In this' respect the mother hen gives a striking lesson. Independent of the weather conditions prevailing, the bodily heat she imparts to her chicks is never too great nor too little. The brooder, if not properly constructed or managed, may easily bring about either. extreme. To be successful in artificial chicken-rearing the attendant must largely take the place of the natural mother. He must keep a close watch.,, on the chickens and endeavour to anticipate their requirements, not waiting to adopt preventive measures until some trouble has so badly affected the little ones that they are not worth rearing. Prevention at all times is the only safe course to take. It is always a waste of time to doctor weaklings. They frequently not only acquire the habit of huddling, but also teach the stronger birds to do so, and cause much mortality. -

In nature it is only the fittest which survive to maturity, and consequently only the strongest birds are permitted to perpetuate the species. An important feature in favour of the

fireless brooder described . elsewhere in this issue, as compared with the heated brooder, is that any weak chickens placed in the former usually succumb during the first few days. Another recommendation for the rearing of chickens in this particular cool brooder is the absence of bowel trouble. It is only on very rare occasions that any sign of bowel complaints have been observed during the several years the brooder has been in use at the Department’s Milton Poultry - station. The fact that bowel trouble, arising from chill, is so common with chicks in process of rearing in heated brooders undoubtedly indicates that' extreme temperatures are the chief cause —mostly through failure to provide a means for the chicks to get away from the heat when it is excessive. . . ■

Of course there are other ways in which chickens become chilled. Giving them too much freedom at the start (whereby they lose their bearings), reducing the artificial heat too suddenly, or providing insufficient ventilation in the brooder-box are frequent causes. Do not take the whole of the heat off the brooder during the day. Most brooder troubles can be overcome by studying nature. The hen gives the chicks a regular warm-up even on the hottest days, and at the same time allows them to breathe the fresh air, but always keeps them under control. More depends on * regular temperature, ventilation, . and cleanness than on any particular method of feeding.

Good . feeding, of course, is essential, and only sound grains should be used. The best food ration ever ’planned; however, will not have the desired result if the management is wrong in other respects. Do not give chickens any gristed grain which has not been sufficiently broken, as they are apt to pick up the large pieces, which are too large to leave the crop, with the result that the chick dies of starvation. When chicken-food contains particles which are too large it . should be sifted to suit their age.

It is always advisable to open up any chicken that dies, in order to discover, if possible, the cause of death. Chickens frequently die through eating the joints of the grain-stalk in the chaff, long pieces of fibrous material, and the pickings from sacks, ' curtains, &c., which form a ball in the gizzard, with fatal results. Any injurious materials ’ should be kept out of reach 'of artificially hatched chicks, which have ’no mother to guide ’ them as to what they should eat. . ■Do ■ not on any account overcrowd, or the mortality will be great. It is more, profitable to- rear . a few chicks properly than many indifferently. •■ > •

It is useless * trying to rear the incubator chick if the quarters are not kept in a thoroughly sanitary state. Before a new hatch of chicks is placed in a brooder it should be well ’cleaned and disinfected. The trouble of chicks picking each other is mostly caused for the want of something better -to do. Give them pieces of tough meat to keep them running, also ample room to 1 exercise, and they will soon forget the habit. Healthy brooder chicks should be constantly on the move, running out to feed, and occasionally back again under the hover. Green food is essential for chicks of all ages, and provision should be made that a constant supply of succulent material is always available. When grass is being fed it should be finely cut, otherwise injurious effects are bound to follow. , ,

The common trouble of chickens going weak in the legs is mostly due to huddling and the need for greater warmth. The trouble is often intensified by insufficient bedding on the floor. Especially does this apply when the floor is very smooththe constant slipping on the smooth surface during the huddling effort having the effect of spreading and weakening the delicate legs. A piece of sacking spread over the floor, on which the bedding is placed, will greatly - assist in preventing the chicks from slipping and its consequent effect on their, legs.

It is always a mistake to allow chicks of different ages to xun together. Keep them apart from the adult stock, as there are few old birds that are quite free from vermin.. The incubatorhatched chicken, given careful management, should go right on to maturity without having to fight parasitic life.

THINGS TO REMEMBER.

Overcrowding is bad enough in any branch of the plant, but it is especially disastrous with the young tender stock.

Keep the chickens on the hungry side for the first few days, only allowing them what they will pick up in a few minutes.

Chicks drink frequently, and an irregular supply is sure to have a bad effect on them.

The chick that receives a serious set-back seldom or never proves a profitable bird to rear.

A chicken is hatched with a good supply of natural food. Therefore sleep and a comfortable degree of heat is all it wants for the first day after it is hatched.

The spreading of the chicks in the brooder should at all times be studied as well as the thermometer. When they are well spread out it indicates that they are comfortable and that the degree of heat is correct.