THE POULTRY-RUN.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 20 October 1916, Page 321

THE POULTRY-RUN.

F. C. BROWN,

Chief Poultry Instructor.

The end of October or early in November should see this season’s full complement of chicks hatched outthat is, if they are to grow to the desired size and produce the ' maximum profit over the cost of production. One of the chief weaknesses in poultrykeeping to-day is the postponing of hatching operations until the hot summer weather. It is a recognized fact that late-hatched stock are not only unsatisfactory from an egg-producing viewpoint, but are usually more prone to disease than the birds hatched out at the right time. Of course, where the majority of the hens in

the flock are three or four years old, and the hatching of the young stock has been delayed owing to the inability to secure the necessary number of broody hens, it will certainly be wise to hatch out sufficient chicks to replace next autumn the old birds that have passed their profitable period of production. Where the hatching-period is to be extended the stock will never prove satisfactory unless they are given clean fresh ground to run on, and provided with ample shade and shelter. Naturally, good feeding, a regular supply of green stuff, grit, and clean water are also essential.

Where ducks are kept, these can be hatched out much later, as they come to maturity earlier than chickens, and therefore have not the cold autumn snaps to contend against before they are developed.

MANAGEMENT OF GROWING STOCK

The common practice of putting young stock direct from the brooder into a house where no special provision is made for hardening them off by degrees is responsible for heavy losses each season. Whenever it can be managed the birds should be kept in the same brooder without heat for several days before removal. The age at which they should be transferred depends largely upon the weather conditions. As a general rule, if they have been hardened off gradually in the brooder they can be removed with safety when from six to seven weeks old. It is important that suitable sleepingquarters be provided for them in the colony houses, or they are very liable to get a set-back. If after being accustomed during the brooder stage to nestle under the hover in darkness and seclusion (as a family) they are placed in an open house, they will huddle together at night, each pushing and scrambling for an inside position. This is not necessarily because they require more warmth, but on account of their instinctive habit of choosing a secluded sleeping-place. If this huddling is allowed, the chickens will get into a sweated condition, and trouble is sure to follow. A darkened yet airy sleeping-place where they will settle down in comfort for the night should always be provided. All that is necessary is a light wood frame covered with scrim or one thickness of sacking, which should hang down to within 2 in. of the floor and be cut into strips similar to the draping of a brooder-hover. The frame may be made to stand on legs or be suspended by wires from the roof. Whichever method be used it should be arranged for easy removal, as the more often the hover is placed in the sunshine the better for the health of the chickens. If difficulty is experienced during the first night in getting the chicks to remain under the hover, temporary boards may be placed at

the side of the . frame to keep them under. As a rule, after the second night the boards will not be needed. The corners of the house should be well rounded off with fine-mesh wire .netting, so that in the event of the chickens crowding into them the ones at the back may obtain fresh air. The floor under the hover should be perfectly dry and well bedded down with thoroughly dry hay, straw, pine-needles, or chaff.

If once the chickens are allowed by improper management to huddle and become sweated it takes a long time for them to recover, apart from making them very susceptible to any passing ailment. It is next to useless taking every care of chickens up to this age and then placing them at such a disadvantage. A fact that should be borne in mind is that the heavy-laying pullet commences her business when about six months old, and to do this and prove a long-season layer she must be well cared for from the very shell.

To make sure of distinguishing different strains and ages the chicks should be marked in the web of the foot with a punch which is made for the purpose, and is obtainable for about 2S. 6d.

A BROODER TROUBLE.

Probably the most serious trouble which affects chickens after being removed from the heated brooder and when •• from six to eight weeks old is an inflammation of the veins. Its first symptom is shown in the hock-joints, which become green in colour. A gangrenous swelling follows. In a few days the wings become affected in a similar manner, and later the . neck and head swell. As a general : rule, when the trouble reaches this stage death is not far off. It is usually caused by overcrowding, damp quarters, and insufficient ventilation, while it is sometimes brought about byusing damp bedding, which heats and brings on a sweated condition. Like most chicken troubles, there is no cure for this one. The remedy is merely a question of prevention, the -chief essentials of which are avoidance of overcrowding, provision of ample ventilation under the hover, keeping the quarters clean and dry, and moving everything that tends to create a moist atmosphere. ’

TABLE POULTRY.

Those breeders who have hatched a large number of chicks this season will find it profitable to give the cockerels the very best of attention. At the present time the demand for high-class or even medium-quality table poultry is far from being met, and exceptionally high prices are ruling. There is probably a greater

scarcity of all lines of table poultry in New Zealand to-day than has been the case for many years, and the consumer must be paying record prices. Good dressed hens are being retailed at ios., cockerels 12s. . to 145., and ducks 10s. to 12s. per pair, while choice turkey gobblers, are in short supply at is. zod. per pound. These prices are sufficient to indicate that the somewhat despised table branch of the industry is well worth catering for. As it is to be anticipated that the demand will continue to grow towards the Christmas season, poultry-keepers will be well advised to turn their attention to this section of the business, especially as they need not fear competition from outside sources as is the case with eggs. There is also considerably less poultry in cool storage this year than there has been in the past.

To cater for the high-class trade the poulterer requires something more than birds in merely store condition. Great improvement is needed in the manner in which the majority of table birds reach the market. The production of eggs is, and rightly should be, the chief aim of the poultryman, but unless he pays proper attention to the marketing of his surplus stock he cannot expect to obtain prices that will pay him for raising them. On the majority of plants the cockerels make good development prior to separation of the sexes, but it is too often the case that after the drafting takes place they get a severe set-back by reason of the poor feeding ‘to which they are subjected. If any profit is to be made out of the cockerels they must receive the same care and attention as the pullets, though, of course, they require less range and different kind, of food from the latter. Many of the poulterers are prepared to buy by the pound, provided they are supplied with properconditioned birds. Therefore it should not be forgotten that every ounce of flesh put on increases the profit made by the producer. It is gratifying to note that the custom of , buying table birds by weight is becoming established and has been fairly general in Wellington for some years.

Table cockerels should be marketed when about four and a half months old. . If allowed to go beyond this stage they commence to produce their second feathers and will lose weight instead of gaining it. It is generally the case that more . money will be realized for a bird at four to four and a half months old than will be obtained for it at any time later on. It should be remembered that one fatted bird is worth more than two unfatted, and it costs more to produce a frame than, to put flesh upon it. Readers should carefully study the results of the feeding test with table poultry recently conducted by the Department and published in the July issue of the Journal.

THINGS TO REMEMBER.

Some people advocate that poultry-keeping should be recommended only as a sole means of livelihood and not as a side-line. The ’ knowledge is certainly now available of how to manage poultry profitably on a large scale, but to apply this knowledge it is essential that it be first tested in practice, and it is certainly not advisable to do this on a large scale. Gaining experience in a small way and extending the plant as the knowledge increases is the only safe course.

It may be taken as a good guide that the thinnest birds at this time of the year are the heaviest layers in the flock. This does away with the fallacy that the good laying-bird can be overfed.

The hatching - qualities of eggs are often affected in transit; therefore do not always blame the breeder. It is not fair to judge results between eggs that have travelled and those that have not.

Do not overforce the ‘ pullet by means of stimulating foods. Remember that too early maturity is undesirable, even with White Leghorns. They should not commence to lay until six months old.

As soon as the sex can be determined the cockerels should be separated from the pullets.

No profit can be made from a cockerel sold as a table bird that is neglected in any way or is kept on a lean diet.

Cockerels that are undergoing the fattening process should be confined in small runs.

Now is the time that vermin multiply in abundance. Cleanliness, repeated sprayings, and good dust-baths are necessary.

Shelter from wind and shade from sun are necessary for good health of the birds, whether old or young.

Crushed plump oats should form a large percentage of the growing pullets’ grain ration.