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Show .... Extension Poultryman i Gives Remedy For Chick Cannibalism By Carl Frischknecht Losses- from cannibalism, or feather, toe, and vent picking amongfcaby chicks and older birds can be avoided by using proper management methods during dur-ing the brooding period. One way tu prevent outbreaks of cannibalism canniba-lism is to provide sufficient floor space for the growing birds, this can be done by brooding less tnan 500 baby chicks in each unit and allowing at least one-half one-half square foot of floor space per bird from the time it is hatched hatch-ed until it is six weeks of age. It the birds are to be confined for a long period of time the floor space should be increased to 1 square foot of floor space from the seventh to the twelfth week; to two square feet of floor space iroir. the thirteenth to the twenty-lourth twenty-lourth week period and a minimum mini-mum of three square feet of floor space per bird should be allowed vnen ihe mature pullet is placed in the laying pens. Another way to avoid overcrowding over-crowding is to remove the cockerels cock-erels as soon as they are old enough to be identified and to tncourage the pullets to roost when they are three to four weeks ol age. An easy way to teach growing birds to perch is ,io tack netting wire under the s" perches ta-prevent the birds from crowding in the cornors and from coming in contact with their droppings. In constructing the roosts it is a good plan to see that the first roost is placed near the floor and that each succeed-:r. succeed-:r. roost is a little higher. Over heating due to inadequate venti'.ation 01 too much fire is another condition during the blooding period which often results re-sults :n an outbreak of cannibalism. cannibal-ism. In order to avoid trouble fiom this source it is well to see that the heating unit, especially the thermostat is kept in good repair and that a constant ex-,cliange ex-,cliange oi air is taking place in ..--''ihe brooding house. In doing this care should be taken to prevent drafts or too much as well as too little ventilation. A warm, damp, foul-tmeliing odor is an indication indica-tion of an under ventilized con- """"dition and a fresh, cold drafty condition is evidence of too much ventilation. Somewhere between these two extremes is the ideal condition that should be maintained. main-tained. Outbreaks of cannibalism can also be prevented by providing sufficient feed hopper space. A minimum of one lour foot feeder and one half-gallon fountain for each 100 chicks should be available avail-able during the first two-week period and the space for feeding and drinking should both be increased in-creased as the birds get older and larger. It is also a good idea to see that the diet for chickens contains ome green or bulky feeds. This U :s especially desirable during the early growing period. Feeding oals and green feed tends to discourage dis-courage picking. Whole oats may be fed liberally after -the chicks i'our weeks old and grit should be made available when oats arc .td. To furnish succulent green, .eed nothing is mora satisfactory j not more economical than yards j or ranges supply. ng a good , grassy sod or green crop. Bright -,reen colored, well-cured alfalfa hay is a good substitute wn;ri- j ever succulent green feed is not available. j It is also a good idea to be regular re-gular in caring for the birds and .o keep them busy at all times by feeding some of the scratch in clean litter and providing a few yeliow carrots for them to pick at. Remember, it is the uncomior- j table and idle chick that causes ; the trouble. |