Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-08-15
AGRICULTURAL.
PERNIc1oUs HABITS IN FOWLS.


Fowls that are confined for the most
part of the year acquire habits which are
entirely foreign TO them i'll a natural state.
They are in an abnormal condition. In
the davs of our forefathers, beforea house
for the hens WAS ever thought of, when
the small flock of neglected birds lodged
in the tree tops, no one ever heard of such
a thing as hens eating feathers (for 1T Is
mostly confined to the hens). or of a case
of the roup or canker Fowls died. To-
be sure, occasionally, but the case was
seldom or never inquired after. They
were often left to old age, and still more
frequently were the hocks decimated dur
ing the fall and winter season by poultry
thieves Our Grandmothers laid IN a store
of eggs for the winter season, generally
packing them down i'll dry salt, and only
called INTO use upon extraordinary occa-
sions, such as wedding or grand party
Fresh laid eggs in winter were unheard of
in those days, and considered an impossi-
bility, and now it is not that we have SO
much better breeds, hut because they are
better cared for, that they may make bet
ter returns.
1t is necessity with hens to lay eggs.
They are thus formed by nature, and the
few that do not perform the function are
the exception, not the rule. When well
kept, with warm, dry buildings to roost
in, and sunny runs, they supply the fumi
! ly table, and assist greatly i'll keeping
| down the grocery bill. 4 certain portion
of the time during the winter the birds
must be kept in close confinement, and it
is during this period, if the greatest care
be not exercised, that the fowls acquire
their bad habits. The enormous drain of
egg production creates an immense appe-
tite, not only for stimulating food, but for
greens and bulky substances, also animal
diet Ii is then they leaIn'to pluck feath
ers. Fowls once settled down into this
! habit. persist in the vile practice even
| after the warm weather, and when grass
is plentiful. There are generally one or
two birds that are worse than the others.
| If these few could be weeded ont and
| separated from the main flock. and con-
fined singly in coops, and well fed, they
might forget it for season, but if not
valuable as egg producers, or for breed
ing, II is better 20 send them to the block
at once 1t is more advisable to behead
one or two than have the beauty of the
whole flock destroyed
Another bad habit acquired i'll confine-
ment is that Of breaking and eating eggs
This also Is contracted from beng left
too much to themselves. Eggs should
always he hunted twice "r three times Il
day, especially in cold weather, to avoid
| the frost The journeys for the eggs
need not always be fruitless, but so man-
! aged as 10 carry grist each way. The
dog that fctches a bone will always carry
bone. Hens require their food fresh
and often. as well as drink. II Is useless
to think of throwing III a quantity of
feed deemed sufficient for day or two.
and then never going near them again
until either new supply or demand for
eggs is ready. They will never thrive iii
this manner They must he active and
diligent, and looking for their rations. 1t
must be ones business IN cold weather
Ia take care of the hens and the eggs,
where many are kept, M order that the
profit may be obtained. Neglected fowls
fall into bad WAYS We are apt to he
careless and without thought concerning
poultry confined from the outside atmos-
phere i'll cold weather When there come
mild days, the fowls are turned ont and
exposed to cold and wind, unaccustomed
in their quarters. Coup and coughs are
contracted, which they seldom get over.
Our Judgment does not serve us right ON
the occasion. Any sudden change is
pretty sure to stop them from laying.
Hens that are kept for the purpose Of
producing market eggs alone, should not
have the company of the cocks, since it is
the males plumage they first learn to
pluck Sometimes it comes from the
lack of better business at first To avoid
this, keep them well supplied with green
food OF its equivalent 1t is as necessary
as grain. Also allow them some half
picked bones to work at They furnish
employment at the same time, while Civ
ing a small portion of meat. Fresh earth
forms a great attraction for fowls, not
only for the sake of the insects which
they dig out, but they love to scratch. 1t
is as natural to the barnyard fowls as for
the duck to seek and play in the water,
and it is highly necessary to provide dust
ing places for them. 1t seems the same
thing as the bath to the aquatic bird.
Fowls may be confined with benefit at all
seasons of the year if properly cared for,
and provided with the necessaries and
Injuries which they crave and demand
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