Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-12
To Make Hens Lay all Winter.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and fear
fal has been the slaughter among the feathercd
tribes, and the question now is, How shall
we feed the remnant so that they may give
us the largest quantity Of eggs2"
First, they must have good, warm quar-
ters provided for them A southerly situa'
ton is the best and if possible near the COW
stables Tor the proximity Of these gives
warmth to the air. Windows should be put
into all hen houses. Sunshine is absolutely
necdful to the well being Of hens and tur-
keys. Then the walls should be whitewashed
with lime and coppcras; adding enough Of
the latter to make the wash decidedly yell
low. This wash acts as a disiniectant, and is
death to rats aud mice
The roosis should be well washed with kerr
osene at least once a month, during the win
ter. Nail casks make good places for hens to
lay I'M and from their depth prevent the hens
from eating their eggs. A good supply OF
hay should be placed in each nest.
If the hen house is not well boarded, nail
strips of lathing over every crack but on
pleasant days, when the caves run freely,
open the windows from one to two o'clock,
and let the place have thorough airing The
windows should be protected by wire net
ting inside the house, else the hens will break
the glass by flying against it.
III the place has been infested with lice
and spiders, thorough smoking with tobacco
or sulphur will make them vamose the
ranch.' If they arc allowed to infest the
fowls during the winter you will not see any
eggs they are as hurtful to the ieathered
tribe as to our house plants, and must be de-
stroyed
When the hen house is prepared for the
winter and as thoroughly cleansed as our
own house, then we must turn our attention
to their diet. Variety is the spice Of life OF
leathered as well as of other bipeds Cooked
food is as advantageous to them as to hogs
aud if our readers will once try its effects,
they viii always be willing that the bid
dies " should share the pumpkin, potato and
and meal soup which is daily prepared for
the swine The hot food stimulates their sys.
ten, and they will soon commence laying,
and continue in the good way for weeks BY
the last Of February they will be ready to
"Nts AHN" 70 MniAhf N'0t huHN oHVuiN "' IiN-
pared in the house cellar, aud by the middle
Of March you will have young chickens,
which win be ready for the table in June
Last year we had sixteen hens. They were
fed upon shorts, the sweepings Of the grisi
mill coarse hominy, whole oats, &c, morning
and evening, varying the meals during each
week AT noon a heaping kettle of boiling
swil was poured into the trough. 1t wa,
kept behind the stove. Into it were thrown
all the scropings Of the dishes; all potato
squash and turnip bearings, bits of bread
griddle cakes, &C., even coffee grounds were
added, and all the soap greese. When scald
ing hot Indian meal was stirred in, and in ter
minutes it was ready for the henery anC
was to them most dainty dish. The result
Of this feeding was soon shown, eggs, eggs
every day from eight to ten we're added to tn,
egg basket. PaterJamilias gloried over hi
store Fresh eggs were constantly served lo
breakfast; and eustards, ice cream, and othe
dantics in whicheggs are much needed, tempt
ed our appettes. We gave them wood ashe
to roll in, bits Of old plastering and of broker
crockery pounded up fne--the last article i
highly priced by them. They will devou
BITS as large as a marrowlat pea. Many hen
cannot lay because they are not supple,
with materials for shell manufacture and the
drop the egg without the she'll
Fresh, pure water is most desirable |
should be given in the morning little warm
and bit of birthstone should be kept in tn
basin. A hen lays more eggs when tire
years old than at one year and a cock 0
three, four, or even five years of age, will pro
duce stronger and larger chickens than at on
year To lay eggs regularly hens must hay
animal food. Beef's liver chopped fno is eS
celent for them. Dwellers in cities and town
can feed oil and scrap cake. This gives tn
animal food they require. When coars
ground bone is added, with a variety {
grains, the best possible diet is provided
With these materials six hens and cock wi
supply small family with all the eggs the
can desire. If they do not wish to rails
chickens, the cock can be dispensed with, an
it is said that hens will lay more eggs witt
out this lord of the harem. We trust gu
readers will try our mode of feeding hen
and will rejoice with great joy over an il
creased supply Of eggs 500.
Bath, ~ H., Dec, 1869.