Practical Equipment for Poultry Keepers

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 95, Issue 1, 15 July 1957, Page 5

Practical Equipment for Poultry Keepers

By

H. K. MULLINS,

Poultry Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Hastings POULTRY laying houses, brooder sheds, colony houses, and in fact most poultry equipment have become largely standardised throughout New Zealand. A Poultry Instructor has very good opportunities to observe first hand any new ideas associated with commercial poultry production and to assess their value to the poultry industry as a whole. The object of this article-Is to illustrate some of the less conventional equipment adapted successfully on many farms throughout the Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay districts. Housing for Growing Stock THE orthodox, gable-roofed colony house for growing stock can be seen on almost any farm throughout the country, and most will agree that it has proved satisfactory under all types of conditions. The open-fronted house illustrated above has been adapted on several farms in the Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay districts with excellent results. These sheds, being of a permanent nature, are better suited to farms where space is rather limited and

natural, free-range conditions are not available to young birds. The size of this house is lift. 6in. x 7ft. and it will accommodate 180 pullets from 6 weeks of age until they are ready for housing in the laying sheds. A concrete floor can be seen in this shed, but the majority have earth floors. The concrete has the advantage of being easily hosed out between batches of pullets and is in every way satisfactory. Each colony house has its own run measuring 120 ft. x 35ft. which is resown every year with clover. The

wire frame under the perches is 18in. from the ground and has lin. netting. The ramp, which permits the young chickens to reach the perches easily, also keeps the stock from their droppings, thus minimising the ■ risk of spreading disease in young birds. . One disadvantage with this house is that the chickens are exposed to cats at nights unless, where necessary, some form of front can be fitted to the house for the first few weeks. This is comparatively simple. To fit the front of this colony house a netting frame into which has been incorporated a small door has been constructed, thus permitting the birds : to be locked in overnight. The frame is nailed up temporarily when pullets require catching for deworming or shifting and is then stored away until required again. Mash Hoppers Dry-mash hoppers vary in size and design on almost every poultry farm. Perhaps the most popular types are made of 44-gallon drums standing on an 18in. platform. These are quite effective but extremely hard to fill for. other than a very tall man.. The hopper illustrated, which has several desirable features and possibly one or two undesirable ones, has nevertheless proved efficient on two Hawke’s Bay farms. It is 7ft. long, 3ft. wide, and 30in. high over-all from the floor. Meat meal and shell grit containers have been incorporated at each end, thus permitting the birds free access to these ingredients at all times. A perch has been built on each side of the hopper.

The chief advantages with this hopper are that it is very easily filled by a small person, there is no waste, and there is ample space for a good number, of birds to feed at once. Considering the open nature of the hopper, one would conclude that it would be full of droppings at the end

of a month. This particular hopper was observed when it was filled and some weeks later when empty and it was clean. The reason for this is of course that any droppings which fall in the mash dry out and are eventually broken up and eaten. It could be argued that this is detrimental to the health of the stock, but for adult birds

use of this hopper is probably no worse than the accepted practice of throwing grain into the manure under the perches. If there were an outbreak of intestinal coccidiosis among young stock, this type of hopper would have to be closed or removed. A few birds will also roost on the hopper at night, but if they are discouraged from the beginning, little trouble will be experienced. To keep mash as fresh as possible it is recommended that this hopper should be completely empty before it is refilled with mash. Spraying Equipment The cleaning out and spraying of poultry houses to eradicate red mite and lice are not relished by most commercial producers. Lack of suitable equipment makes the job hard, with the result that it is often put off far too long. ’ . The portable spray outfit illustrated originated on the Cook Hospital Farm at Gisborne and has proved most efficient. An electric | h.p. motor and pump are mounted on the front of a barrow, and a drum containing the disinfectant is at the rear. The pump, which is of standard pattern, is similar to those used commercially for weed spraying. A 30ft.-long hose is attached to the pump, : and a constant pressure of 201 b. per square inch will force creosote or any similar disinfectant through this hose very effectively. If the intake valve on the pump is opened and the return valve is closed, the hose connecting the pump may be used to draw the contents out of a 44-gallon supply drum into, the container on the barrow. It is a sound idea to use a mask or shade when spraying ceilings with this equipment. A piece of 6in. x 6in. celluloid fitted like a tennis shade will protect the eyes from dust and spray. Fortunately most poultry sheds are connected with electricity, thus making it comparatively easy to wheel the barrow through each shed and connect the flex to the light socket. A Serviceable Trolley . The trolley - illustrated was constructed on a farm. It has a useful capacity for adult birds or perching pullets. Over-all measurements are 4ft. 9in. x 2ft. 6in. x 16in. high. The two 16in. tyres ensure easy manoeuvring at all times. The cage, which is detachable from the trolley, is constructed of piping and divided into two compartments. Access to the interior is by two gates opening from one side of the trolley and there are also two 12in. x 12in. trap doors on top. Handles are fitted at both ends, ‘ thus eliminating the necessity to turn the cart round when it is operated on narrow paths. This trolley has many uses and can be an asset on any farm where- the paths and reading are reasonably-flat.