Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-01-15
-.x:1caster f1,tellige11rer.
SATURDAY EVENING. JAN. Is. 1881.
Winter Care of Fowls.


While writing, the Thermometer stands
mercury marked 100 below. In places
within a distance of less than a mile, the
temperature is much lower, where the To-
cation is in hollow. Such cold weather
generally comes once or twice every win
ter. For this emergency every careful
person has prepared beforehand. During
the few previous weeks, when the weather
might he termed moderate beside that
which we are at present experiencing, the
fowls have been comfortable, enjoying
their outdoor run each day at the warm
est portion. The ground being uncovered,
they have gathered grass and gravel. and
helped themselves to drink, at the regular
watering places of the barnyard stock, re-
turning early to their warm rOosting
places The wise poulterer has prepared
for any emergency, and the fowls are as
safe as now, when the door is closed at
night, as in the warmer weather. The
house has been previously furnished with
drinking vessels, nest boxes, and every ap-
pliance of comfort beneath southern ex-
posure of glass.
The poultry keeper should, with the
risin. of the sun, 20 with fresh feed to see
whether there are any frosted combs. II
there are they should have immediate at
tontion before thawing. FrOsting may be
easily discerned 10y the white appearance.
Avoid touching or bruising the frozen
flesh, but catch the fowl and breathe
gently on it until the ice comes out, after
which dress with olive oil, care being
taken not to wet the feathers. DO not re-
move to Il stove. but allow the bird to re-
main in the sam. place. As tho sun
comes uo and the fowl Stirs around, the
blood will circulate, and the thawing is
less painful when the ice comes on the
outside. There will seldom he a case so
extreme as this, with the careful attend
ant, and in quarters that are reasonably
comfortable II fowls are accustomed
to the outside air each day, they will
endure quite severe cold without suffering.
But if fowls are placed in confinement
under glass covers at the first approach of
cold weather, they become tender. The
combs and wattles are forced to greater
size, and hence the danger Of frost in the
lOng winter nights. when the thermometer
drops suddenly below zero. have found
it the better way to keep the fowls accus-
toned to the atmosphere as much as pos
siblc without suffering. In this manner
they come into laving without much fore
ing, and are robust.
Aside from the combs and watties, the
Brown Leghorns are the hardest and most
profitable breed. both for eggs and flesh.
They will endure the greatest degree of
cold without injury, if duly trained to it,
and give the greatest quantity of eggs
with the least feed and care. They arc
bright and lively and every ,nouthful of
food tells on them. With the exception of
exhibition birds, it is better to breed for
low Combs and acclimatc to the cold.
Side hy side with the Whites. the Browns
will excel. they will endure more hardships
and yield greater profits on the same keep.
Fowls should not be allowed to drink in
frigid atmosphercs. They cannot dc
this with safety to the combs and wattles
except in the warmcst portion Of the day.
OF course daily exposure is drawback to
their laying, but is more advantageous to
their health. In cold weather give scraps
and fatty substances, together with the
whole corn, rs these are heat-siving sub
stances, and create warmth of body. II
fowls are kept in comfort and thrift
through the cold wave, they will keep in
profit, but they must have strict care.-
SO. b. in Country Gentleman.