Household Poultry:

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 80, Issue 1, 16 January 1950, Page 53

Household Poultry:

Progress of Pullets Preparing the Laying House-Type of Hen to Retain

Early-hatched pullets are, now approaching maturity and plans must be completed for accommodating them in their permanent laying quarters. That work is discussed in this month’s article for the household poultry keeper by W. L. Mclver, Poultry Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Hamilton, who also gives advice on the type of hen which should be allowed to survive culling. THIS is an awkward time of the year for most household poultry keepers because of shortage of shed space. Few can afford to have a spare house for the growing pullets and allow it to remain empty for the balance of the year after they have been transferred to their laying accommodation. Most householders rearing pullets from a day old or 6 to 8 weeks old have to use temporary, makeshift arrangements for the young stock. Once chickens are “off the heat” their chief housing requirements are space, dryness, comfort, and ventilation without draughts. Progress of Pullets Accommodation for the later-hatched pullets that will not begin laying for 2 months or so needs to be clean, free from mites, spacious, and airy. Its importance is as a shelter at night or during bad weather; a rainproof roof and perches higher than the eaves are the main features. Protection from winds, the heat of the day, and light rains is better supplied by shrubs and hedges. These pullets should be left in their rearing quarters as long as possible, but culling of the backward ones should not be neglected. Pullets hatched in August will be approaching the lay, a condition which can be recognised by the growth and appearance of the comb and wattles and a softening of the pelvic bones. These pullets should be transferred promptly to their permanent quarters before they begin laying. At this stage they must be treated quietly and have no sudden change in the diet. They should be allowed to become accustomed to their new housing before they come into lay, and nest boxes should be left open so that they are encouraged to inspect and use them. Adequate litter is necessary on the floor and in the nests. When pullets have been transferred to new quarters it is essential to inspect them at perching time for the first few nights, as sometimes they refuse to perch and must be reeducated. Huddling must be prevented. . When pullets have been reared in open spaces and are accustomed to perching on tree branches at night, a watch should be kept for colds developing soon after they have been transferred to the laying house. A few drops of kerosene poured gently into the water container so as to form a film on top through which the birds

have to dip their nostrils is a wise precaution, and better still is 1 teaspoonful of Lugol’s iodine in each gallon of water. Preparing the Laying House The laying house is now occupied by the hens, all of which should be in full lay if they have been culled correctly and regularly. Backyard poultry keepers tend to leave them undisturbed and allow the pullets to continue in their makeshift shelter. Nearly matured pullets are more important than old birds, as they are the ones which will give the winter eggs and profits. As soon as the pullets develop red combs the best hens for supplying current household egg requirements' should be sent to temporary quarters and the pullets put into the laying house after it has been cleaned out thoroughly. Then the . hens should be quitted as soon as each stops laying. Cleaning of the laying house should include removing the floor litter, the fine, broken-down portion being bagged up to be put back again; dismantling all nests, perches, and equipment for cleaning and scrubbing, and placing them in the sunshine to dry (sunshine is the best germicide); thoroughly scraping and brushing concrete and earth floors and the lower walls; creosoting walls, perches, and nests; and carrying out all necessary repairs. Disinfectants should be used for their known powers of disinfection and not because of their pleasant smell. A 2 per cent, solution of caustic soda is excellent as a disinfectant, a cleansing agent, and a germ killer; the water should be nearly boiling and the solution allowed to soak well into the floor and equipment. Type of Hen to Retain ■ Many household poultry keepers persist in retaining aged hens. Sym-

pathy for old pets that have done their duty nobly in their early years may be one reason, and perhaps a tendency to postpone culling until there is “time to spare” is another factor, but in most cases the chief reason for uneconomic, broken-down hens being kept is that their owner has never troubled to learn the distinctions between good and poor producers. Even a novice at poultry keeping can recognise at a glance the outstandingly good or the very poor layer, but householders should not belittle their perspicacity to the extent of convincing themselves that they cannot distinguish between the intermediate grades. Experience of years will increase efficiency, and a start must be made some time. A few mistakes made now are better than failing to do any culling. ' The last fortnight of February is one of the best periods of the year during which to grade both pullets and hens reaching the end of their laying year. It is advisable to know the approximate age of each bird, and an extra leg band should be put on each fowl at the beginning of every year. The older the bird the higher should be the standard up to which she must measure. The first principle used in assessing a hen’s future merits is that a thing which is good is likely to continue good. If the bird shows all the signs of having been an excellent layer, the chances are favourable that, after coming through the moult, she will again be a good producer next season. The February cull is only a preliminary one, even if it is the major cull of the year. The birds retained should be looked over again a month later and some more rejected.

The second principle is that of the “law of averages.” A small proportion of a pen of layers are likely to cease production in January and some more in February, but most of them will lay until March. These non-producers should be rejected and about half of the original number of pullets housed may be retained. The third principle is to judge by bodily appearance and conformation to what is called “type.” This is far from being infallible, but in general

“type” does indicate laying ability. The bird to select is one with good carriage, bold appearance, alert eye, and rugged head, wide and long in the back and deep in the chest and abdomen. Friendliness, inquisitiveness, and even greediness are favourable signs, as are neatness and tightness of feathering. The advice given should not be construed as recommending that householders keep hens in preference to pullets, but rather that only hens

which measure up to a high standard should be retained. 1 Other Work during February Culling is the chief work with household poultry during February, but general cleanliness, the greenfeed rotation for the balance of the year, the comfort and progress of the growing pullets, and seasonal treatment for internal and external parasites must not be overlooked. If replacement stock is still required, it should be obtained now, as further delay will reduce the chances of being able to obtain quality strains. At this time of year mainly cull birds are being offered for sale.