The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-01-03
Farmer., Care OF FoMI..

There is probably no other interest on
the farm so generally neglected as that
of poultry. 1t Is a common phrase
among farmers that "chickens can
scratch for living" and this comprises
about all the care they receive. Sum
mer or winter, rain or sunshine, cold or
warm, in all kinds of weather they are
lett to take care Of themselves, gaining
a precarious living, roosting on trees,
fences, the hangers or racks in the stable;
they are merely suffered as a nuisance.
rather than cared tor as they should be-
In our cold winter months, for want of
proper shelter, combs ard wattles are
frozen, and feet are often lost from the
effects OF the extreme cold. If we were
to accuse our farmer friends of cruelty,
they would open their eyes in innocent
surprise. But is it not downright cruel
ty to allow your fowls to so through our
long cold winters without proper care or
shelter? How much do the poor birds
suffer before they lose combs, wattles and
feet ? The trouble is not that any are
Intentionally guilty of cruelty. But the
old scratch for themselves" adage has
been so long and persistsntly taught that
men believe in it and act accordingly.
The care of the fowls is a thing never
thought of, and the idea of providing
comfortable quarters for them is unheard
of Then We hear the complaint, we
get no eggs" Here are one hundred
hens eating more than they are worth.
and we do not get eggs enough to keep
us going at the house." This may be all
true, but think for moment of the care
you have given them. They are simply
paying you in your own coin, and even
then are no doubt doing better by far
thrn you have done by them.
Perhaps fowls in the farm-yard suffer
more for want of pure water in winter
than from any other cause. In the sum-
mer they usually get plenty and do well
enough, but in our cold climate, when
springs and brooks are frozen solid, when
tanks anC swill pals are no longer avail
able, then their daily allowance is
entirely cut of, and often for weeks, and
even months, they do not get a drop OF
water. They eat snow when it is to be
had, and they could do nothing worse,
for this has the singular quality of max
ing them poor, and they should never be
allowed TO eat it. If they are supplied
with water, they will not eat snow. This
treatment, with very little variation and
q few exceptions, is the rule among
farmers. The result is that millions of
fowls die annually of that scourge of
poultry-the cholera. Years age the
cholera was dreaded as most fearful
plague among the human family. Towns
aud cities were devastated by its ravages;
but of late years, by cleaning sut the
cesspools of filth in the cities, and by
the proper measures, it has lost its
terroIs.
Here lies the great remedy for chicken
cholera-cleanliness and proper care.
This will do more to rid the country OF
this plague than all the patent nostrums
in existence. With very little outlay
of money and time Won can build good,
com Portable house fer your fowls. Let
it face the south, with windows to give
light and warmth when the sun shines.
Spend an hour each day in feeding,
watering and caring for your fowls.
Remove ali the droppings every day or
TWO, preserving them carefully in a
heap; your American guRno will repay
You for all the care and feed you give
your fowls. Keep your house clean and
wall ventilated and you will have q
plentiful supply OF eggs in winter as well
az in summer, and the time that you