Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-08-16

take no harm, but when the mercury is
considerably below freezing the case is
different. A larger percentage of the
eggs hatch in warm weather than in
cold, for in spite of every precaution
the outside ones will get q chill. The
chicks should have warm, sunny COW
er, with gravel floor to run and scratch
on. The first thought of hen is to
scratch for her brood. For sitters pull
lets are to be preferred, as they are
more tractable and easier of manage
ment; besides they care better for the
chicks. There is little danger if kept
well housed, fed and cared for. Medi-
um-sized flocks are more successful
than larger broods. There is more
profit in small focks well tended than
in larger ones half neglected. When
the hens are crowded, half the profits
ara lost. For layers the chicks should
come off early that the pullets may get
done growing and into laying before
cold weather sets in; although for lay
ers we may wait until April or
even May, when the weather is more
congenial, and with the smaller breeds
late. still. Indeed, with the small
breeds, where fowls for eggs are the
only consideration, it is quite as well to
wait until July and feed well. At this
season the little birds come out strong
and healthy, and require little attention
beyond feeding. If piled with hearty
food, they will eclipse the cold weather
chicks the following winter, as they are
perfectly hardy and robust. They have
about ten weeks at the finest season OF
the year, and the Leghorns at the ex-
piration of this period are fully feather
ed but the feed must not be neglected.
For show birds we must set early, and
also for extra fine large chicks; although
as far as the latter are concerned,
have raised as fine large hens from
the late broods, and they were as early
and persistent layers, too, as ever came
from the early Matched. The Leghorns
and Spanish require warm weather, and
will not bear neglect. On these two
breeds, care and feed tell marvelously.
Although they tell on any breed,
still the Brahmas, beyond the greater
amount of flesh, are more tardy in re-
turn. 1t is certain that the smaller hens
yield the largest amount of eggs in a
year, just as the small cows give us the
greatest quantity of milk. 1t is note
worthy fact that the large hens more
often drop small eggs, while the reverse
may be credited to the lesser birds. In
choosing eggs for setting, or rather in
choosing hens to lay the eggs for hatch
ing, there should be some care taken.
For market chickens, select hens that
have size and plumpness, with small,
nest heads, well shaped and healthy.
The cock should be small-that is, not
diversified for his breed, with heavy
shanks, plump, straight breast, and
rather long neck. Many make mis-
take in choosing large, heavy cock /;
in fact, an overgrown bird is not fit to
breed from at any time. His progeny
are apt to be misshapen or otherwise dis
figured. The neat, snug, compact bird
is the one to choose for breeding pur-
poses, no matter whether we breed for
eggs or chickens. There is difference
in seasons in regard to the health. OF
fowls as well as stock Of every descfip.
ton. When the spring is cold, back
ward and Indictment, the chicks will not
thrive; for prepare as we may, we can
not entirely shield them from the cold
blasts. Still the little things will brave
considerable cold if well fed. Laying
hens suffer about as much as any poul-
try from the cold. They are extremely
sensitive in this respect. Their feed
must be regular and never neglected.