Garden Poultry for healthy, hardy, productive hens

Rearing Methods.

Chicks are hatched in Automatic Western Incubators. They are transfered when 'fluffed up' to 7x5 brooding sheds which are prepared first by thorough cleaning and disinfection.. They are brooded under gas lamps, and are given chick crums and fresh water, twice daily. Straw bedding is used as it encourages them to scratch and peck, and they don't tend to eat it unlike shavings.By keeping them in fairly low light levels(simulating that of their natural habitat), it is possible to rear chicks without featherpecking. This unfortunate vice is caused by lack of stimuli, very light conditions, stress & overcrowding.

Once they reach 6-8 weeks, the chicks are fully feathered, and with care may be allowed out to range. They are given fresh pasture, and grow quickly. Most birds are fully grown at 16-20 weeks.

Chicks are fed chick starter rations, and transfered to a grower ration at 6-8 weeks. At 16-18 weeks they move on to a layer's mash or pellet. They may be given mixed poultry corn in addition, though to no more than 50% of the diet(20% for hybrids)