Pekins
are better off kept indoors all year round. Young, growing birds
can be let out but if your intention is to show, they need keeping
inside as soon as you pick the show birds out. These conditions
also help you to extend the day with artificial light also prevents
wild birds from wating the food! It allows for increased handling
opportunities and observation of stock. I also keep Japanese bantams
and the general points in their club's website
states can also be followed.....
Indoor
accommodation should be a bright, well ventilated building containing
breeding pens. These must be of a size and construction to allow
for easy access and cleaning.
A pair
of Pekins will live and breed quite happily in a pen of three
feet by two feet, but larger pens can be used to accommodate
trios or groups of young birds.
Perches can be used providing they are of suitable size. Ideally
two inches square, slightly rounded and removable to prevent
young birds roosting too early so causing crooked breastbones.
They
should be positioned at an appropriate height to allow birds
to get onto them easily, but high enough to prevent roosting
on their nest box.
A
dropping board under the perches which can be removed easily
for cleaning will help keep the floor of the pens cleaner.
An ideal litter for the floor is wood shavings or sawdust as
it absorbs moisture, does not stain plumage, and gives the birds
something to scratch around in.
The
shavings/sawdust should be changed once a week or as required
to prevent the build up of parasites. Hygiene is more important
with indoor pens.
Damp
and dirty floor litter can contain harmful bacteria which can
lead to respiratory disease, which, if the building is poorly
ventilated, could lead to the infection of all the birds.
When
cleaning out it is a good idea to spray the floor of the pens
with a non-toxic disinfectant before putting in fresh shavings/sawdust.
Lice
and mites must also be controlled in the same way as described
for outdoor housing.
An
additional problem in poultry houses is Red mite, they hid in
crevices, and feed particularly at night on roosting birds.
A
good way to eradicate them is to thoroughly clean the house,
pen and nest boxes, then spray everything, including every nook
and cranny, in a suitable solution. Allow to dry before re-introducing
the birds. This process will have to be repeated regularly during
the summer months as Red mite have a ten day life cycle.
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