Poultry-Keeping by E. Comyns-Lewer & S. Lewer

Author:E. Comyns-Lewer & S. Lewer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Husbandry/Livestock
Publisher: Vintage Words of Wisdom
Published: 2014-02-24T11:07:30+00:00

Rearing Troubles

No chapter on chicken-rearing would be complete without allusion to some of the troubles of the period. For many of these prevention is not only better but easier than cure; wherefore, at the risk of perhaps being tedious, we have urged the necessity of cleanliness.

Insects —Dirt too often spells insects and disease. For this reason the broody hen and her nest should, before the chicks left the shell, have been scrupulously cleaned, and the hen rid of insects by insect powder and dust-baths. The coop into which the hen and chicks are removed should, since last being tenanted, have been thoroughly disinfected and cleaned out; and, as the chicks grow, they and their mother should occasionally be dusted with insect powder to keep them free from pests. Artificially brooded chicks will require like attention. Whenever a chicken looks mopey and does not thrive well, it will often be found that red mites, ticks, or chicken lice are causing the trouble. These can be quickly got rid of by dusting the bird with pyrethrum powder or flowers of sulphur, especially around the vent, and, in the case of ticks (usually to be found on the head or neck), by applying a little carbolized oil very cautiously, so as not to irritate the tender skin. The trouble entailed in such care may be considerable, but the reward in the vigour and health of the chicks will more than compensate for it. The provision of proper dust-baths, in which flowers of sulphur or insect powder has been sprinkled, will do much to keep insect pests away.

Cramp —Another frequent trouble with the chicks is cramp and leg weakness, which is more common amongst artificially reared chicks than those reared by hens. The cause is not far to seek—the hard, boarded floors of rearers, and excessive heat and lack of ventilation in the brooder chamber. As a preventive, keep the floors well bedded with dry earth, put peat-moss litter or chaff thereon, give the chicks on all favourable occasions a run outside on bare earth or grass, and lessen the heat in the brooder chamber.

Where the chicks have already become affected, Mr Proud’s advice was to hold the chick’s legs up to the hocks in water as hot as the hand can bear, and to which a little soda has been added. Thoroughly dry them, and rub in a little embrocation.

Another cause may be lack of stamina in the chicks. In such cases ground bone will be a useful addition to the diet at one of the daily meals.

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