The Henkeeping Specialist E-Book

David Squire

• Herausgeber: IMM Lifestyle Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Seitenzahl: 194

Beschreibung

The idea of self-sufficient living has never been more prominent and as a result, henkeeping is becoming increasingly popular. You don't need a large garden, expensive equipment or even a great deal of time and by keeping chickens you can really benefit from the produce - just a couple of hens is all that is needed to keep a family well stocked in fresh eggs all year round. This essential guide provides all the key information needed for keeping your own poultry, from setting up and choosing the right site, housing, feeding, daily care routines, disease prevention and breeding. There is a comprehensive A-Z section on the different chicken and bantam breeds, as well as advice on choosing the right breed for you. The guide is also packed with plenty of practical advice on managing egg production, incubating and rearing and specific nutritional requirements. It is ideal for newcomers interested in learning all about the basics of henkeeping, as well as for those seeking a more self-sufficient, environmentally-friendly lifestyle. It urbanites wishing to embrace aspects of country living.

Leseprobe

First published in 2011 by New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd

London • Cape Town • Sydney • Auckland

Garfield House, 86–88 Edgware Road, London W2 2EA, United Kingdom

www.newhollandpublishers.com

80 McKenzie Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa

Unit 1, 66 Gibbes Stree, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia

218 Lake Road, Northcote, Auckland

Copyright © 2011 text David Squire

The right of David Squire to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Copyright © 2011 illustrations and photographs New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd

Copyright © 2011 New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

ISBN 978-184773-748-9

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Publisher: Clare Sayer Senior Editor: Lisa John Production: Laurence Poos

Research Advisor: Patricia H. Squire MA

Designed and created for New Holland by AG&G Books Copyright © 2004 “Specialist” AG&G BooksDesign: Glyn Bridgewater and Ginny Zeal Illustrations: Coral MulaEditor: Alison Copland Photographs: iStockphoto

Reproduction by Pica Digital Pte Ltd, Singapore

Printed and bound in Malaysia by Times Offset (M) Sdn. Bhd.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the authors and the publishers. The authors and publishers disclaim any liability for damages or injury resulting from the use of this information.

Contents

Author’s foreword

GETTING STARTED

The world of poultry

Getting to know chickens

Keeping chickens

RANGE OF CHICKENS

Choosing the breed

Breeds of chicken

Range of bantam breeds

KEEPING CHICKENS

Ways to keep chickens

Chicken manure – its uses

Poultry sheds and equipment

Feeding your chickens

Handling and inspecting chickens

CHICKENS TO EAT

Chickens for the table

Killing chickens

Plucking chickens

Drawing and trussing a chicken

PRODUCING EGGS

Eggs for the home

Fertilizing and collecting eggs

BREEDING YOUR OWN CHICKENS

How to breed chickens

Artificial incubation

PESTS AND DISEASES OF CHICKENS

Keeping chickens healthy

Parasitic pests of chickens

Diseases of chickens

Problem habits in chickens

KEEPING OTHER POULTRY

Keeping ducks

Housing and looking after ducks

Keeping quails

Keeping guinea fowl

Glossary

Index

Author’s foreword

Keeping chickens or other poultry in your back garden or yard becomes a way of life and one that is packed with the amusement provided by your dedicated team of egg layers. Some will bustle around as if parading their management skills, a few will continually inspect the ground for reckless insects, and others will exhibit a measured walk, the product of carefully cultivated self-importance. Of course, there is also the daily bonus of eggs for your family’s breakfast or use in numerous kitchen recipes. To top it all, you will have the reassurance that your birds have led a happy, relaxed life within a near-natural environment and that they have been fed on a diet of wholesome food.

Keeping poultry, either in a wire-netted enclosure in your garden or as free-rangers if you have more space, is part of getting back to the basics of life and an activity that puts you into daily contact with the land and its seasons. Additionally, when living in harmony with the countryside, the cycle of life becomes clear. All poultry enthusiasts – and especially their children – are captivated by chicks breaking free from their shells and cautiously entering into a new world.

There are, of course, disadvantages to keeping poultry, and you will need to be constantly vigilant to prevent predators, such as foxes and rats, attacking your birds, but this problem need not be insurmountable if the hen house is strong and properly constructed, and the fences are high. Essentially, you should not enter the world of keeping poultry if you cannot offer a seven days a week commitment throughout the year. The daily tasks of feeding, watering and collecting eggs must not be neglected. Remember that happy hens lay the best and most eggs.

MEASUREMENTS

Both metric and imperial measurements are given in this book. For example, 1.8 m (6 ft).

The world of poultry

What does ‘poultry’ mean?

The range of poultry species kept for the eggs they produce and the meat they provide is wide. This mainly comprises chickens, with ducks, guinea fowl and quails (see pages 68–73) playing a lesser role. However, like chickens, they have an enthusiastic and dedicated following. The number of chickens kept for their eggs or meat far exceeds that of other poultry, with a current estimated global figure of more than 28 billion, which is expected to rise.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF DOMESTICATED CHICKENS?

Chickens have been domesticated and kept for their eggs and meat for many thousands of years. Now scientifically known as Gallus gallus domesticus, chickens were earlier thought to have been first domesticated in India, but now Southeast Asia and probably Vietnam are considered to be more accurate, at about 10,000 years ago.

From India, domestication spread to Asia Minor, then to Greece about 7,000 years ago and subsequently to Egypt during the 18th Dynasty (1550–1292 BCE). Chickens are now known worldwide and widely kept for their eggs or meat.

What is the chicken’s ancestry?

Previously, the domesticated chicken was believed to have descended from both the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and the Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii). However, modern genetics indicate that the Grey Junglefowl is the most likely ancestor.

DOMESTICATED FOWL

Large-fowl chickens

These are very popular and there are many breeds to choose from (see pages 10–22)

Guinea fowl

Seed-eating, ground-nesting, partridge-like birds, sometimes known as guinea hens (see page 73)

Bantams

Smaller than large-fowl chickens, they are popular as egg layers (see pages 23–27)

Quails

Classified as game birds and related to pheasants, they can fly (see page 72)

Ducks

Easier to keep than chickens, they are often more prolific egg layers (see pages 68–71)

Getting to know chickens

Are they easily recognized?

Identifying a basic chicken is easy as they are widely known and publicized, but there are many different breeds (see pages 10–22), as well as smaller forms known as bantams (see pages 23–27). The majority of chickens you will see are hens (females) and it is these that produce the eggs that are widely sold and eaten each year throughout the world. The male chicken is a cock or rooster (known as a cockerel until it is 12 months old).

HOW CAN I TELL A HEN FROM A COCK?

Hen chickens are usually smaller and weigh less than the male counterpart of their breed. In the breeds section of this book (pages 10–27), the weights of both hens and cocks are indicated. Additionally, a cock bird will have more flamboyant tail feathers and a larger and more colourful and distinctive comb on the top of his head. He also tends to strut and dominate the hens. It is the cock bird that makes the well-known ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ noise that many people find disturbing, especially in urban areas.

The decision about whether it is a good idea to have a cock bird in with your hens is discussed on pages 50–51, and this depends on whether you just want to produce eggs or to breed from your chickens – or both. Most chicken enthusiasts, however, just keep hens.

Feather markings

Breeds are initially distinguished by their colours, shapes and sizes. A major part of this is their often spectacularly coloured feathers. Some breeds have just a single colour, while others have complicated patterning.

What is a broiler?

A term that originated in North America and is used to described a young bird, of either sex and under the age of eight weeks, specifically raised for its meat. The meat at that age is tender, with soft and pliable skin.

Psychology of a chicken

Chickens are inquisitive, intelligent and friendly and will continually keep you amused. Invariably they will come over and check what you are doing – so be careful you do not step on them. Bantam breeds are also reputed to be smarter than chickens, and they are certainly faster movers.

TYPES OF COMB

All chickens have a comb on their head. It is a fleshy growth and those on males are usually larger than ones on hens. The shapes and colours of combs vary from one breed to another. Many are red, but some are purple. Combs are not just present to give a chicken status and to make it more attractive to the opposite sex – they have a functional role in helping to cool a chicken during periods of high temperature. Incidentally, because blood is able to flow freely through a comb, it makes them extra sensitive during cold weather, especially if they are large. Coating a comb in petroleum jelly helps to provide cold-weather protection. There are several types of comb, including:

Rose

The comb lies almost flat on top and is broad, solid and very fleshy. The main part has a curved surface, with small, round protuberances. It ends in a single spike at the back of the head, called a leader.

Single

Thin and attached to the beak and along the skull. On the top there are 5–6 deep grooves that create several sharp points along the comb’s top. This is the most common type of comb.

Strawberry

The comb is very low and is known as strawberry because of its shape. It has a rough surface.

Horn

Known also as the ‘V-shaped comb’, it has two pieces that look like horns, joined at their base.

Pea

Low, with three ridges. The middle ridge is slightly higher and larger than the other two.

Buttercup

The comb is cup shaped with regularly spaced points, resembling a crown. It is finely textured.

LEARNING THE PECKING ORDER – AND THIS MEANS YOU!

As you learn to live with chickens you will find that they put you as their leader – top in the pecking order! They will have decided that, as you provide their food, you will be revered. They will approach you in various ways, depending on their gender.

Cocks (also known as roosters):

The males will approach you cautiously, with direct eye contact and a slow flap of their wings.

Hens:

They might greet you in the same way as a cock bird, especially if they are feeling perky. This might be accompanied by the bird flapping her wings. If particularly friendly, she may also stand on your shoes and peck against your trousers. This is usually an approach that indicates she wants to be picked up. Unfortunately, this extra attention may create jealousy among the other hens.

Squabbling hens

Occasionally, squabbles occur between hens when they are not sure of the pecking order. Do not use your hands to separate them; rather, gently spray them with clean water. If further squabbles occur, it is usually best to rehome one of them.

Introducing new hens to an established group

This can be tricky but folklore suggests there are several ways to prevent trouble arising, including:

Wait until night, when it is pitch dark.Rub garlic over the hen that is about to be introduced.

Keeping chickens

What is involved?

Before keeping chickens it is essential to understand what is involved in terms of time, initial and long-term cost, and the local and national regulations you will have to comply with. Below is a checklist of chicken-keeping questions to consider, ranging from whether it is worth the trouble and expense to what the ramifications of keeping chickens in close proximity to neighbours might be. Always get the goodwill of neighbours before keeping chickens.

CHICKEN CHECKLIST

Costs and results – is it worth it?

Do not expect to make a fortune out of keeping your own chickens or even to save a great deal of money on shopping bills – but you will be assured about the source of the eggs, their freshness, the foods which produced them and that the chickens have led a contented life. Eggs are one of the cleanest possible foods, the shell protecting the contents from dirt and germs.

Optimum number of chickens

Six hens will keep a family in eggs throughout the year. If you have a cock bird with them, this is about the number of hens that he can manage.

Eggs or meat?

Most backyard chicken enthusiasts keep hens solely for the eggs they produce. A list of the best egg-layers is given on page 8. Chickens that are raised for both meat and eggs are also listed on page 8.

Laying life of a hen

Pure-bred breeds can live for up to ten years (depending on the breed); this is much longer than hybrids, which often die before they reach five years of age. Most breeds start to lay eggs when 18–22 weeks old, but remember that the number of eggs decreases as a hen ages. Finally, it becomes uneconomic to keep her. Most hens will have reached the end of their economic life by the age of five.

Are chickens noisy?

Unless you have a cock bird in with your chickens (and it is not necessary to do this if all you want to do is to produce eggs), the noise level is not obtrusive. They will, however, make a fuss if alarmed and under attack. Also, some hens make a noise after laying an egg.

Can I keep just one chicken?

You can, but chickens are social creatures and need company. If you have just one chicken, it will be lonely and look to you to provide its social life! Keeping 3–6 chickens is about right to cater for their social activities.

Cock birds (roosters) are invariably noisy – but they are not essential for the production of eggs.

Rules and regulations

Keeping chickens on your land or allotment is surprisingly straightforward:

First, check with the deeds of your property to ensure that you are legally able to keep chickens.Provided you have fewer than 50 chickens, there is no need to register them with any authority. Keeping more than 50 chickens is considered to be a commercial venture and must be registered with the authorities in your country.Consult with your local authority to check if there is a bye-law preventing anyone in your area from keeping chickens on their own property. Talk with your neighbours to see if they are in agreement with you keeping chickens; this is mainly a matter of getting their goodwill and to prevent disagreements arising later. Inviting them around to inspect your chickens and their housing usually settles any problems – especially if they are offered a few eggs!

CHICKEN CHECKLIST CONTINUED

Chickens are gregarious and therefore at their most contented when kept in small groups.

Chickens and household pets

Initially, cats and dogs will find chickens interesting, examining them as ‘new boys on the block’, but usually they soon lose interest. However, they need to be closely watched to check that they are not harming each other – much depends on the temperament of the dog or cat.

Chickens kept in wire-netting cages will not be at risk, but those foraging in a yard or living as free-rangers present a different problem.

Dogs: Hens that are chased and stressed by dogs will, at best, cease laying, or even be killed. If a dog kills a chicken, make it sit while you hold the dead chicken in front of it, at the same time scolding it in a harsh voice. Usually, young dogs soon learn to look and not touch, especially after receiving a peck on the nose from a dominant chicken. Occasionally, a dog will act as a protector, herding the chickens and barking to raise your attention if predators are a threat.

Cats: Initially inquisitive, they usually soon decide to respect and ignore each other. However, young chicks on their own are vulnerable unless accompanied by ‘mum’, who becomes a formidable opponent when her youngsters are under threat.

Trespassing chickens

Chickens that escape and wander into neighbouring gardens invariably cause problems. They eat plants, scratch and disturb soil and generally make a mess for which, in law, you will be responsible. If you take precautions to keep the hens securely fenced your liability could be less. Nevertheless, litigation can be expensive and time-consuming and it is better to regularly check your fencing and gates.

Incidentally, unlike geese and ducks, hens have no right of way on a road and if killed there is no obligation on the part of the motorist to pay compensation.

What about holidays?

If the holiday is a long day out, get up early to feed and water your chickens. However, if you are out all day and will not be back until late, either give them extra food or ask a neighbour to look after them. Automatic feeding and watering devices are invaluable in these circumstances.

When you are taking a holiday of several days, or longer, ensure that your chicken-sitter is a poultry enthusiast and has a basic knowledge of them and their routine. Write down details of feeding and watering (how much and when) so that there can be no mistakes.

Your own cat usually learns to live with the chickens, but neighbouring cats can be a problem.

Choosing the breed

What should I look for?

Before buying a bird, you need to decide if you want a chicken or a bantam (see page 10). Also think about whether your priority is for eggs rather than meat, or perhaps a combination of both (see below and page 39 for suitable breeds). Some chickens have a gentle and relaxed temperament that makes them ideal as pets for children – as well as for egg production – such as Silkies, both Black and White (see pages 12 and 22).

ARE THERE MANY DIFFERENT BREEDS?

There are hundreds of breeds of chickens and bantams, in many colours, sizes and egg-laying abilities. Some breeds have a long ancestry and are familiar to chicken enthusiasts and known as pure-breds, while others are more recent, such as hybrids. Each of these types has its own merits, and these are described on page 9.

Chickens are extremely gregarious and will be at their most contented when kept in a group.

For egg production

The presence of a male bird is essential for the production of chicks (see page 48) but not for the production of eggs.

LAYING OR TABLE BIRDS?

If space is limited to only a few chickens, most people choose breeds known for their egg-laying abilities, which is usually for several years and until keeping them becomes uneconomical; they are then killed (see pages 40–41). Those breeds kept for the table have a much shorter life than egg-laying ones. A few breeds are ideal for both egg-laying and the table.

Egg-laying breeds

Barred Rock (see page 11)Black Australorp (see page 11)Cuckoo Maran (see page 15)Faverolles (see page 15)Leghorn (see page 18)Light Sussex (see page 18)Plymouth Rock (see page 20)Rhode Island Red (see page 21)Wyandotte (see pages 13, 17, 21 and 22)

General-purpose breeds

Barred Rock (see page 11)Black Australorp (see page 11)Buff Orpington (see page 14)Light Sussex (see page 18)Maran (see page 16)Plymouth Rock (see page 20)Rhode Island Red (see page 21)Wyandotte (see pages 13, 17, 21 and 22)

Table breeds

Croad Langshan (see page 15)Dorking (see pages 20, 21)Rhode Island Red (see page 21)

The White Silkie is a very distinctive and unusual-looking breed, with a docile and friendly nature.

WHAT ARE PURE-BREDS?

These are breeds that have been popular for many years and when bred produce true replicas of themselves. They exhibit the distinct personality of the breed, unlike hybrids (see right) which are a combination of two breeds. There are many pure breeds to choose from, in a range of size, colour and plumage variations. Pure-bred chickens usually lay for more seasons than hybrid types, but are more likely to become broody, and consequently stop laying for a time. Also, some pure-bred chickens are difficult to source and can be expensive to buy. Nevertheless, for the home poultry keeper they are usually the breeds first considered when starting to keep chickens.

TEN POPULAR BREEDS OF CHICKENS

The choice of chicken breeds is personal and differs from region to region, as well as from one country to another. Some breeds are selected for their egg-laying ability, others for their table qualities, while a few are chosen for their attractive appearance and character. Here are ten of the most popular breeds to consider:

Araucana (see page 10) Barnevelder (see page 11) Black Rock (see page 12) Buff Orpington (see page 14) Red Dorking (see page 20) Light Sussex (see page 18) Rhode Island Red (see page 21) Silkie (see pages 12 and 22) Welsummer (see page 22) Wyandotte (see pages 13, 17, 21 and 22)

WHAT ARE HYBRID STRAINS?

These were first developed in the early 1950s in response to an increasing demand for eggs. They result when two pure-breds – such as Rhode Island Red, Marans and Leghorns – are crossed. Hybrids do not reliably pass on their features to their offspring (indeed, some hybrids are sterile), but are valued for the qualities they have acquired from their own parents.

Hybrid chickens are usually easy to look after, rarely go broody and reliably produce eggs. Unfortunately, egg-laying often decreases after their first season. Additionally, they can be prone to egg-laying problems and sometimes become aggressive in a flock of pure-breds.

A hen with a brood of chicks aimlessly strolling around her epitomizes the idyllic scenario of keeping chickens.

Chickens are expert scavengers, closely examining the ground in the hope of finding food.

Breeds of chicken

Are there many different breeds?

Chickens have been domesticated for hundreds of years, and during this time many different breeds have evolved. Most are known as pure-breds, and some as hybrids (see page 9). There is also a choice between chickens and bantams (see below). Here are descriptions of 37 popular breeds of chickens and seven of bantams. Always buy your birds from a reputable supplier, who will be able to provide you with healthy birds that are good examples of their breed.

CHICKEN OR BANTAM?

The range of both chickens and bantams is wide, and all of them are especially appealing when young and fluffy.

Chickens are larger than bantams and more popular with home poultry keepers as their eggs are larger and they provide more meat when kept for the table. Some bantam breeds have resulted from the selective crossing of chickens to create diminutive versions. There are also so-called ‘true’ bantams, which are naturally small and do not have large counterparts. Bantams are often raised for their ornamental qualities and many make excellent pets for children.