POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 20 April 1928, Page 283

POULTRY-KEEPING.

SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT. The poultry-keeper who during recent weeks has acted on the principle of doing the right thing at the right time will now not only be well ahead in his work, but will also be working on sound lines. All surplus cockerels and hens which have passed their best period of production will have been marketed before this. Further, the best hens, and also the best of the cockerels reared, will have been selected and placed under special conditions, so that they may be in the best of nick for the forthcoming breeding season. The pullets will also be well settled down in their winter quarters under those favouring conditions which encourage the production of the much-desired winter eggs. On plants where these important matters have been neglected till now there is no telling what loss it may mean in the long-run. For instance, with the great majority of the hens now moulting, it would be almost an impossible task to separate the likely,future profit-makers and desirable breeding specimens from those that should have long since been culled. This being so, there will probably be retained in the flock many weak and non-paying types, while the worst loss of all will be experienced if any of the weak specimens are used in the breeding-pen — by the weak progeny which is almost sure to be produced. It should always be remembered that efficient culling and the selection of the most desirable breeding-hens can only be properly carried out before the moulting-period sets in, and those who have failed to do this will in all probability find it a costly mistake.

COLDS, DRAUGHTS, AND VENTILATION.

This is the time of the year for keeping a specially sharp watch for infectious diseases among poultry,, especially diseases which have their origin in colds. Young birds are usually more susceptible to colds than adult stock. The most common symptoms of colds are sneezing, eyes watering, and a discharge from the nostrils, to which dust and dirt usually adhere.. As soon as such signs are observed the affected birds should be promptly isolated. The next step should be to find the cause of the trouble and have it removed at once.. There are so many things responsible for fowls catching cold that very often it is necessary .to look for the cause in several quarters. Many poultry-keepers who have asked for advice in regard to colds have no idea as to their origin, and.

instead of trying to discover and if possible remove the cause, in most cases they look for one of the curative methods as the only safe course. The fact of their having the modern, deep, open-fronted, lean-to style of house leads them to believe that ideal conditions are being provided, and that a curative method is the one and only thing to resort to. This is all right in its way, but it should be remembered that the best style of house ever planned will not give entire satisfaction under varied local conditions. It is true that for practically any site and for prevailing local conditions the style of house described is the best arrangement yet evolved for providing shelter for the domesticated fowl; but if the best results are to be obtained the poultry-keeper must be always on the alert to observe weaknesses in the system, and make modifications to suit his own local conditions. - '

To give an example : I was recently called upon to advise regarding a flock of pullets affected with colds. The house they were sheltered in had much to recommend it, and gave all the requirements for the comfort and well-being of the stock, with the exception of one vital point which constituted a serious weakness— was not draught-proof. Thinking that the ventilation provided at the front of the house was insufficient, the owner of the plant had made an open space of 3 in. between the top of the back wall and the roof. The danger from the draught thus created was intensified by the back wall being rather low and the fact of the birds being made to perch at a considerable height from the floor, so that they were practically subject to the full force of the draught all the time they were on the perches, just when they required the most comfortable conditions. It was not surprising in these circumstances to find that the birds were badly affected by colds, bordering in some cases on roup.

The point should never be lost sight of that in constructing a house for feathered stock the maximum amount of comfort should be combined with the maximum supply of fresh air, while every precaution should be taken to prevent the birds sleeping in a direct draught. The slightest crevice or crack is apt to cause an outbreak of colds. A good way of ascertaining whether or not the birds are sleeping in a draught is to visit the house by night and hold a lighted match or candle along the walls where the birds are roosting. If indications are that a draught is present the matter should be corrected at once. While it is true that a slight crack in the back or side walls may give one bird a cold, it must be remembered that the germs from this one, chiefly through being left in the drinking-water, may soon cause the whole flock to become affected.

Reverting to the question of having an opening in both the front and back walls of the house as a means of providing plenty of ventilation, it is certainly true that some flocks will keep free from colds and remain in a perfectly healthy state when these conditions are present. In such cases, however, there is usually some favouring local condition to counteract a direct draught and its evil effects. The site may be a well-sheltered one, where mild climatic conditions prevail, or the back wall may be sufficiently high and the perches at a low level, the birds not being subjected to the full force of the draught created. Where these and other factors are not present the question of having a venti-lation-space at both back and front, and at all times, should be viewed

with caution. Especially is this the case when bad weather is being experienced. The principle of having ventilation-space at the back of the modern fowlhouse is perhaps carried out at its best when the opening is arranged in such a way that it can be closed or opened in accordance with prevailing weather conditions. In a general way, of course, especially during fine weather, there would be no objection to having an open space at the back of the house during the day. It is in compelling a bird to sleep in a draught that the chief danger lies.

POINTS IN HOUSE-CONSTRUCTION.

Some poultry-keepers have very long houses, and wire netting only is used between the compartments. This is a mistake, unless, of course, the site is particularly well sheltered, as a strong wind having nothing to break its force is apt to cause discomfort to the birds. On most plants it will pay well to have the partitions dividing the house made of some airtight material, such as asbestos-slate, beaver-board, &c. If the partition is to have the desired effect it should stretch the full width of the house, and not merely a few feet from the back wall. Where boards are used for the intersecting walls it is very important that there be no cracks for the draught to come through, otherwise colds and roup will soon appear. Indeed, in the many cases where I have been called upon to advise regarding troubles having their origin in colds, the greatest number could be traced to the intersecting walls not being draught-proof. For preventing draughts in a wooden divid-ing-wall it is a good plan to cover the latter with some airtight material, such as cheap roofing-material, &c.

The question of how much of the front of the house should be left open to provide ventilation is a matter that can be decided only according to the prevailing local conditions. Generally a space of 3 ft. is allowed, but experience goes to prove that where the plant is located on a bleak situation this amount must be reduced if colds are to be prevented. Good ventilation is an essential requirement for feathered stock of all ages, but it can be easily overdone, especially with the artificially produced young bird. This does not mean that the birds should be coddled, but rather that a sane course should be steered between too much ventilation and insufficient ventilation. Poorly ventilated quarters should always be guarded against, as in these the birds become overheated by night, making them susceptible to chill when they go outside in the morning. Then again, in order to resist colds the birds must not be overcrowded. Above all things, the quarters must be kept in an absolutely sanitary state.

—F. C. Brown,

Chief Poultry Instructor, Wellington.