Show q VA COMMON MISTAKES CHECK EGG YIELD pullets neglected when men care Is most needed by it H alp poultry extension specialist university of illinois service eight common errors are largely responsible for the wormy pullets found among millions of farm chickens along in the fall of each year during the summer months many farmers are not egg conscious and consequently neglect the care of 0 the birds when they may need it most As a result of this neglect the pullets are so stunted that they fall fail to produce the number of eggs that might ordinarily be expected of them eells and worm capsules administered as cure alls seldom give satisfactory results in these cases and the finds that efforts to remedy the mistakes are expensive difficult and generally disappointing among the common mistakes listed are empty feeders empty water troughs dirty brooder houses without roosts boosts lice and mites in the brooder house old contaminated range outdoor feeders seldom moved no clean shade provided and sick birds allowed to remain in the flock probably the greatest error in poultry management as far as feeding is concerned is failure to use the type of feeder most satisfactory for range conditions and growing pullets the outdoor feeder should be larger than that used in the brooder house and so constructed that it will not only prevent waste and contamination of the feed but will also keep the contents dry for each brooder house there should be at least two good sized feeders many poultry men use one for the grain and the other for the mash failure to move the feed hoppers is also a common error unless the feeder is placed on a wire platform the ground around it will soon become badly contaminated with poultry manure and the chances of chickens picking up disease and parasites are increased greatly like the feed the water should be protected from contamination cleanliness around the drinking trough Is extremely imper important A good plan is to place the trough on a low wire platform so that the birds can not scratch in the mud caused by spilled water furthermore the troughs should be filled often and regularly so that there Is always plenty of water at all times |