Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
you don't have one. If a condition does develop, then begin the medication or vaccina-
tion program, whichever the condition requires.
Routine Maintenance
Limit the use of medication and avoid vaccinations with an attentive maintenance
routine. Cleaning on a regular basis is essential. An exercise to keep you on your toes in-
volves simply picturing yourself in conditions similar to those in which your birds live.
If the pen is dry and clean - which means not allowing the litter to get more than a few
inches thick and sanitizing after batches of birds have moved on — the flock is happy
and healthy. If the birds stand deep in wet and smelly litter, they are not only uncomfort-
able but also live in a breeding ground for disease.
Sanitation
A thorough once-a-year overall deep cleaning of the facilities is probably one of the
more important tasks of a poultry raiser. Conscientious sanitation practices are crucial
for long-term sustainability of your operation.
Litter Maintenance
Philosophies about proper litter and pen maintenance differ among raisers. Some folks
never let any material build up the litter in their poultry facility, and in my opinion, this
is extreme. However, it's probably best to err on the side of safety. The less your birds
are left to live in filth, the healthier they will be.
Some sort of litter is essential for a healthy poultry operation as it is a good way
to collect manure, wasted feed, molted feathers, and other waste materials. Litter also
provides exercise, and cuts down on the birds' boredom, which leads to feather picking.
In the winter, litter is essential for keeping feet from freezing; it provides a warm, dry
place for waterfowl to sleep at night. Without litter, you will have to clean far more fre-
quently and birds will get bored much faster.
A good litter base of 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in your pen is a desirable thing. Many
people use sawdust or pine shavings for this base, and these are healthful choices. Do
not use cedar shavings. Cedar gives off fumes that may harm your poultry when it be-
comes wet. Other people use straw or hay or some sort of leaf matter; all of these mater-
ials are fine.
Time to clean?
Deciding when the time is right to clean out the litter isn't an exact
science. You must take into account the number of birds, the depth of the litter, and the
season of the year. During the warm summer months, when the air is dry and the lit-
ter stays loose and does not pack down or stink, litter in adult pens where birds have
the proper amount of space need not get cleaned more often than every six weeks or
