A NEW PERCH FOR POULTRY – HOUSES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 20 April 1928, Page 275

A NEW PERCH FOR POULTRY - HOUSES.

L. W. C. Cocker,

Poultry Instructor, Wellington.

The object of this article is to bring under notice of poultry-keepers —on commercial plants in particular —a new method of supporting perches in poultry-houses. At present several styles of perch are in •common usefor example, those suspended by wire catches, fencingwire, or dog-chains, or those slotted into pipes let into dropping-boards and concrete floors. To a greater or lesser extent all are useful for the purpose intended,' but some objections apply to them all.

The adoption of this new perch here described involves the discarding of the dropping-board. As regards this board, while it can be ■considered quite a satisfactory device when cleaned every morning, should it be left with accumulated droppings it becomes very insanitary and objectionable. The labour entailed in cleaning on large commercial plants is a big consideration, which has drawn attention to the desirability of devising some means of lessening the costs in this direction. Moreover, with this and the other systems of perching mentioned, features calling for consideration are practicability,. efficiency, and convenience when cleaning or culling operations are being carried ■out. The floor-space covered by the dropping-board, even 1 when the' board is 1 ft. 6 in. from the floor, is not used to -its fullest extent, because the active bird searching for food in the litter always. works with its head to the light. Thus the straw is thrown towards the rear ■of the house, with the result that the litter accumulates there- in a heap unless, of course, frequently attended to:' In any case observation will show that the birds, even when, all conditions are favourable, do not make as much use of the space as they would were’ the house free from obstruction.

Perches and similar furnishings of the fowlhouse which are not readily removable form an obstacle to efficient service in selecting .stock. This is chiefly for the reason that as soon as disturbed the tendency is for the birds to congregate in the rear part of the house, the consequence being that they have to be continually stirred up in the search for the best specimens. With a clear floor the birds are in view practically the whole time, and the matter of selection 'is far •easier. , •

In the perch illustrated it will be seen that an endeavour has been made to adopt the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages of the

various systems hitherto in general use. In the first place, it is of primary importance that the perch shall be as insect-proof as possible. This is provided for in that the perch-bracket is made entirely of -metal (iron). Secondly, when culling the flock or cleaning the floor the perch may be folded up against the wall. This is an added facility in that the perches need not be removed in the event of the house being required for use as a storeroom, which is often the case in connection with the stove brooder and young-stock house. This point should commend itself to all rearers of first-class stock for breeding purposes,

who realize the value of ample exercise and fresh air, also sunlight and shade, for growing stock. Thirdly, when the perch is folded up in the daytime there is no inducement for the birds to roost instead of leading an active life by scratching litter. In the rearing of young cockerels, roosting by day is one of the difficulties to be contended with. Further, in folding up the perch during the day one not only eliminates the perching habit, but also one of the causes of that very common trouble, crooked breast-bone.

Some doubts may arise as to the wisdom of a perching system which does not provide dropping-boards, but it will be found that the

droppings cause no trouble so long as the litter and floor of the house are kept dry. Actual experience has shown that no smell other than a slight;' aroma of-ammonia is perceived. The litter, however, should be frequently stirred up, and a little fresh straw added at intervals when required. .' '

In the course of time the action of the moisture in the droppings, together with the constant scratching of the birds, will cause the litter to become disintegrated and worked into fine particles, when it is most valuable as a dressing for either pastures or gardens. As a rule, where these conditions are complied with, it is unnecessary to clean the house more than once or twice during the course of the year.

These new perch supports can be made by any handy man equipped with a boring outfit, hacksaw, and vice. Either in. or | in. angle-iron is suitable, and the necessary bolts and nuts can be purchased with the iron. The accompanying photographs give a good general idea of the device. They were taken at the Wallaceville Poultry Station, where this method has been introduced. The drawing supplies details of dimensions, &c.