Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1881-02-03
QGIhe AnuMpNard.
WINTER CARE OF FOWLS.

The Country Gentlenaam's regular contrib
ntor, {. B., writes as follows on this sub
j"ct:
While writing, the thermometer stands at
below zero. On the morning before The
mercury marked 10 deg below. In places
within distance of less than mile, the
temperature is much lower where the loca-
ton is in hollow. Such cold weather gen
orally comes once or twice ever winter
For this emergency every careful person
has prepared beforehand. During the few
previous weeks, when the weather might
be termed moderate beside that which we
are at present experiencing, the fowls have
been comfortable, enjoying their outdoor
run each day at the warmest portion. The
ground being uncovered they have gather
ed grass and gravel. and helped themselves
to drink, at the regular watering place of
the barnyard stock, returning early to their
warm roosting places. The wise poulter
has prepared for any emergency, and the
fowls are as safe now, when the door is
closed at night, as in the warmer weather.
with drinking vessels, nest boxes, and every
appliance of comfort beneath a southern
exposure of glass.
The poultry keeper should, with the ris-
ing of the sun, go with fresh feed to see
whether there be any frosted combs. If
there are they should have immediate at
tention before thawing. Frosting may be
easily discerned by the white appearance.
Avoid touching or biuising 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 remove to a stove. but
allow the bird to remain in the same place.
AS the sun comes up 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 be ii
case SO extreme rs this, with the careful at
tendant, and in quarters that are reasonably
comfortable. If fowls are accustomed to
the outside air each day, they will endure
quite severe cold without suffering, But if
fowls are placed in confinement urder glass
covers at the first approach of cold weather,
they become tender. The combs and wat
ties are forced to a greater size, and hence
the danger of frost in the long winter
nights, when the thermometer drops sud-
ter way to keep the fowls accustomed TO
the atmosphere as much as possible with
out suffering In this manner they come
into laying without much forcing, and are
robust.
Aside from the combs and wattles, 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 are bright and
lively, ana every moutltinl of food tells on
them. With the exception of exhibition [
birds, it, Is better to breed for loW combs.
and aeclimate to the cold
Side by side with the Whites, the ggowns
", viii excel. they will endure more hard
shIns aaea v;a,1i grelter profit on the same
keep, Fowls slld5ssa 5saa NOT - allowed %
drink IN trigia atmosll go @ ...a.s,ss s.'ls
10 this with safety to III sADs - "'sss's
except In the warmeat pos 'ion = wy 10y
OF course daily exposure isl :" .1asN :
their iayiag, but is n1nre aelN a, 500
their health. In cold weather ;,p ssiapo ,vha,o
and tatty substances, together w..
corn, Is these ure heat-giying SUI, .ass' sa,,,,s
and create warmth Of body. Ii tila..ar,ssf &
are kept IN com mfort and thrift thA s,t
the Geld wave, they VII keep in profit, -
they must lave strict aae.