The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-02-09
COUNTY AGENT GIVES TIPS
FOR POULTRY RAISERS
nv r. s. SMITH

By r. s. SMITH
It is time that everyone should
begin to think about ways to IN
crease their food supply at home.
The outlook is not any better for
lower prices on meats and eggs.
Therefore if you have any small
building that can easily be remod-
eled to accommodates few laying
hens, we knows of no better way
to lower your grocery bill each
month.
Order Early
We suggest that you pay visit
or write a card to good hatch
cry so that you can get your name
on the book for the number OF
chicks and date desired. Orders
placed early should help to get
the better bred birds. Be sure to
specify production bred chicks for
layers and meat type of birds for
fryers. Purchase chicks from a
reliable source and as close to
home as possible, but be sure to
get the kind of chicks you want.
Always buy quality chicks. Re-
suits begin with the kind of
chicks placed under the hover.
"Cheap chicks are seldom cheap
long" Distressed or sick chicks
should very seldom be bought ev-
en- at "bargain" price. Don't be
misled by the terms AA, AAA, or
AAAA grades of chicks as they
seldom mean much and, too, the
hatcheries in North Carolina are
not allowed to use these terms.
For layers, buy U. S. Grade:
Best Grade, U.S.R.O.P.; next
best, U. S. Certified and last U.
S. Approved. If the hatchery is
inspected for diseases they will
advertise it as pulIorum clean,
pullorum passed or pullorum test
ed. The pullorum clean hatchery
has far the healthier chicks.
States that have a strict poultry
law will show the name of the
state before the U. S. grade.
Inc DrOOQer mouse
In case the brooder house and
equipment was not cleaned and
disinfected after the last brood
was grown out, it should be done
well in advance of the arrival of
The chicks. Take all equipment
that can be removed out of the
house and then start with sweep
ing down the ceiling and walls.
After removing the litter, scrape
and sweep the floor clean. Then
disinfect the brooder house with
I've water Il OF. to each gallon of
water). The feeders, waterers,
and other equipment should also
be cleaned and disinfected thor
oughly.
After the house is dry, place a
deep dry litter on the floor. SHAY
ings, crushed corn cobs, hay or
other materials may be used for
litter. A good litter built-up to 6
or 8 inches in depth will make thu
brooder house warmer and will
not pack or mat together as cas-
lily as shallow litter.
The brooder should be operat-
ed for one or two days before the
chicks arrive to make sure it is in
good working condition. Check the
stove and equipment for any
needed repairs so that they may
be made without a last minute
rush. To teach the chicks the
source of heat, a chick guard is
usually used for the first few
days. Chick size scratch may be
fed for the first day or two and
then keep good quality mash
before the birds at all times.
February Reminders
1. Brood different age chicks
separately. 1t never pays to
brood chicks that are one day old
with those that are one week, two
weeks, or more old.
2. Prevent cannibalism. Have
adequate floor space and raise the
pullets on range.
3. Keep a record on brooding
and rearing.
q. Plan to raise pullets on
range.
5. Keep hens laying. A wet
mash stimulates appeties but
once started it should be contin-
ued.
6. Gather eggs at least three
times a day and hold in a cool,
moist place.