POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 53, Issue 3, 21 September 1936, Page 181

POULTRY-KEEPING.

Overcrowding.

A weakness that is becoming rather apparent on many plants is that dangerous practice of overcrowding. This fault has been more noticeable, especially during the past year or two, not only on some more or less inexperienced persons' plants but also on some plants run by poultry-keepers with a number of years’ practical experience. Unfortunately, cases of severe losses from colds, roup, &c., have come under notice during the past year, and in quite a number of those cases investigation has shown that the primary cause of the trouble was overcrowding in poorly-ventilated houses. Unless warning is taken and efforts made to check this growing evil, it is feared that some poultry-keepers may have serious losses by 'trying to rear more stock than the number for which they have accommodation. To begin with, a mistake is at times made by crowding too many eggs into an incubator, or the crowding of too many incubators into a room which is insufficiently ventilated. The manufacturer of the incubator has made his machine to hold a maximum number of eggs, and ventilation has been arranged for that number, but if the incubator is overcrowded it can hardly be expected to give the best results. It is quite possible that more chickens may actually be hatched from an overcrowded or a refilled machine, but experience has shown that a better class of stock is hatched and a larger percentage of good stock is reared from incubators that are operated a little below rather than above the capacity- set down by the maker. Again, quite a number of troubles and of inferior birds from artificial brooding are due to overcrowding, and the same conditions as mentioned in the preceding paragraph may also apply with regard to the number of day-old chickens placed in such brooder. As the chickens grow it is advisable to see that they are given plenty of room and more fresh air at night, and that they are graded up regularly. In practically every hatch there are to be found some birds that do not come on as well as the majority, being shy, more nervous, or having less confidence than the rest, and these are often harassed by the stronger members of the brood, with the result that they do not get sufficient food. When chickens are overcrowded many culls are often obtained, and untold damage is likely to be done, as the general vitality of the lot is likely to be lowered, and thus the birds made more susceptible to disease. If at all possible it is economical to have a spare brooder on hand and use it for grading-up purposes, as the extra quality and number of birds raised when a regular system of grading-up is practised more than pays for the little extra expense and trouble. At times when growing stock are overcrowded there results too rapid development, with the result that the birds’ constitution, instead of being built up, is weakened, and they are unable to withstand the strain of a long laying period. .

Too many poorly-reared pullets are to be seen, many of which do not ■come on to lay until well into the “ flush ” season. It is doubtful whether

pullets that do not start to lay until July ever repay what it cost to rear them, and their keep. The rearing of a large number of good pullets successfully is a highly specialized business that requires a great deal of experience, close attention to every detail, and one must ever be on the watch for any sign that indicates unsuitable environment, especially night conditions. The overcrowding of laying-houses has often been the cause of poor egg-production, false moults, or colds amongst stock. Some poultry-keepers are under the impression that by placing an extra perch in a house that suitable accommodation is being provided for extra birds, but such a practice does not always prove successful. A house 20 ft. long by 20 ft. deep is large enough for 100 laying hens, and one 14 ft. long by 16 ft. deep for 50 birds ; in other words, each bird should be allowed 4 sq. ft. floor space. Experience has shown that where less than 4 sq. ft. are allowed each bird the results have not been as good as with the larger space. When a house is overcrowded it is almost sure to become damp, and dampness in laying-houses must be avoided at all costs. It is well to remember that birds spend a good deal of their time on the perches ; therefore, conditions in their roosting quarters must be such that plenty of fresh air is available and a dry atmosphere is provided. There is a growing tendency amongst successful poultry-keepers not to run more than fifty laying hens together. A little overcrowding during any one stage may not be very noticeable, especially to the inexperienced person, but if the same mistake is made each year there is sure to be a gradual deterioration of the general quality of the flock. Now that the hatching season is here again it is well to consider the great advantage of hatching only the number for which there is ample accommodation, and of aiming for quality and not quantity. Colds. A careful watch should be kept at all times on the stock for the first sign of colds. If dust or dirt is seen adhering to the nostrils of a bird it is usually safe to say that that bird is suffering from a cold, and it should be separated from the rest. If possible, the cause should be found : the cause is often compelling young stock to roost in crowded or badlyventilated houses, and such conditions should of course be corrected. The mouth and nostrils of the affected bird should be washed with warm water containing one teaspoonful of common salt to a quart. The secretion should be removed from the nostrils. If the sides of the head under the eyes are gently massaged before and after it is washed, the secretion is loosened. For a poultry-keeper living near the sea fresh sea-water is of value for bathing a bird’s head if a bird is suffering from a cold. After the mouth and nostrils have been washed as suggested, it is advisable to disinfect those parts with a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and water. All affected birds should be given Epsom salts, about one teaspoonful to each three birds. This can be given twice in a week by being dissolved and mixed in the mash. Natural Incubation. September is looked upon as the best month of the year in which to hatch out chickens, especially those of the light breeds. Though many farmers may find it difficult to get broody hens until a little later, every effort should be made to get all chickens hatched before the end of October at the latest, as late-hatched stock does not do well. Where only a few clutches are required, and if one is not altogether satisfied with the production from the stock on hand, it will be sound economy to spend a few shillings on the purchase of a sitting or two of eggs from a good strain. It will be found that there is as much difference -between the laying ability of pullets hatched from stock that have been bred for egg-production and the mongrel-bred pullet as there is in speed between the average hack and a thoroughbred horse.

As many chickens are lost each season from the ravages of insects, it is advisable to see that all broody hens are dusted in order to rid them of insects before they are set. It is not a good practice to set hens in the fowl-house as they are likely to be disturbed by other birds. Better results are usually obtained if the broody hens are set in a coop made for the purpose, and if such coops are placed some distance away from stables or other buildings rats are not so likely to be troublesome. The hen should be confined to the coop for at least a few days after the hatch comes off, for often there are one or two chickens that hatch out a little later or that may not be quite as strong to start with as the rest, but if such chickens obtain warmth under the hen for a day or so they develop into strong healthy birds, whereas if allowed to roam with the stronger chicks they in many cases are lost. There is no doubt that the easiest way to'rear a few chickens is with the mother hen, and given proper facilities the majority of hens make a good job of the-business. If at all possible the coop should be placed on fresh ground away from where adult fowls have been running. ■ It is advisable to feed the chickens at set times : the first feed should be given as early as possible in the morning, and the last just before dusk. It is a mistake to leave wet mash before chicks as it is likely to spoil their appetites. Milk in all forms is one of the best feeds for growing stock, as it is so easily digested and is a great growth-promoter.

Whether the chicks are being reared with a hen or in a brooder it is well to keep up a regular supply of finely-cut succulent green feed. A person will never regret giving chickens, after the first three or four days, a good variety of green food. Chicks that have had an abundance of green food are in a much better condition to resist disease.

-C. J. C. Cussen,

Chief Poultry Instructor , Wellington.