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Poultry farming and other branches of animal husbandry






Poultry-farming constitutes a distinct branch of animal husbandry and there are many farms specially going in for the breeding of domestic fowl. Hens, geese, ducks and turkeys are bred here. The modern method of hatching chicks is not so much letting the hen brood on the eggs, but mostly to use incubators, which proves far more efficient. Feeding hoppers have also become regular poultry-farm practice, finding much the same application as in stock-sheds, piggeries, etc.

Poultry is partly bred for meat, down and feathers, but, above all, for eggs.

Eggs represent a cheap source of high quality protein for human consumption. The modern poultry industry producing eggs includes the use of specially bred birds, highly specialised feeds together with new housing and management techniques.

Efficient chicken production is one of the cheapest and most economical means of producing highly nutritious tender lean meat. Over the past decade improvements in per­formance and efficiency have been substantial.

The stock available to the chicken industry is selected particularly for high growth rate and survival capacity. They are further characterized by their attractive carcass conformation and a high meat-bone ratio.

For efficient control and economy in operation everything is fully integrated so that the activities of chicken breeding units, hatcheries, chicken (meat) producing units and processing stations are maintained in effective balance. In addition, the feeding stuff requirement of an industry with a defined volume of output can be accurately planned on a long term basis.

To-day well-managed egg farms consistently achieve very high outputs.

A modern poultry farm comprises the following sections: 1) breeding units where the chicks are bred; 2) hatcheries where day-old pullets are obtained; 3) broiler production and rearing units, or 4) egg-laying units for laying hens; 5) stations for the disposal of breeders at the end of the laying cycle. Attached to the whole installation, there must also be a feeding stuff compounding mill for preparing the feed which, besides grain, proteins and vitamins, may also contain poultry offals.

The correct implementation of a proper technique enables layers to be kept all the year round, thus ensuring an even supply of eggs at all times. Also by keeping the birds in an environment conducive to the efficient utilization of the layer food, the bird is allowed more nearly to reach its genetic potential.

Some other branches of animal husbandry are: reindeer-breeding, rabbit-breeding, camel-breeding and, of course, horse-breeding at studs, though the use of horses and other types of draft cattle is being to a certain extent discontinued, tractors doing most of the work on the fields.

Not quite of secondary importance is apiculture, since, besides yielding honey and wax, it also contributes to pollination.

5. Feeding stuffs – modern developments

Compounded feeds are a blend of components. Supplies of fats, proteins and carbohydrates are in composts or compounded feeds, as a general rule, mixed in the necessary proportions.

A better understanding of the role of what might be called the “minor nutrients” or feed elements used in insignificant quantities is also an outstanding development, notably in the case of young ruminants, pigs and the various categories of poultry.

Feeds for domestic animals must not only contain, the necessary ingredients but must also be diversified; they must likewise be well prepared mechanically, so that the nutritive material should be well assimilated. Feeds should have good palatability and digestibility. That is the reason why a modern farm of necessity includes a special department for “cooking” feed stuffs. Feeds may be rough or coarse (hay, straw), succulent or juicy (ensilage, mangle, potatoes) and concentrated. Very frequently feeds are mixed. This is why the equipment of the fodder department is most diversified. Thus, for crushing coarse or (Concentrated feeds universal crushers or ensilage cutters are used.

Succulent feeds are prepared in a more complex way. Potatoes and mangle are first of all washed in a root-tuber washer and next cut into slices. The washed and cut potatoes or other semi-prepared feeds are next boiled in a steam-heated silage-maker. The steamed root and tuber-crops are then fed into a masher, whence they come out as ready prepared fodder. Cattle, as a rule, drink much water. Here again mechanization renders great help through the provision of automatic drinking bowls. The animal has only to lower its head, a pedal is worked and water is released into the bowl through a spring.






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