The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-04
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Winter Egg Production.

To obtain breed of fowls that are per-
petual layers is the object that many aim
at This is an impossibility, for nature
viii exhaust itself and must have period
of rest. In order that we may have per-
petual production of fresh eggs the bust
ness must be arranged beforehand. There
is difference in breeds some laying bet
ter than others at any time of the year,
and others, again, will give their eggs in
winter. There is little difficulty in obtain
ing eggs in summer, but the winter eggs
must be worked for, and the fowls managed
beforehand. Hens that have laid well dur
ing the summer can not be depended on
for late fall or early winter, even if well fed,
but will generally commence In January
and keep it up throughout February and
March, giving good supply of eggs if not
too old But it is better not to allow such
birds to go into the winter. They are gen
orally fat, after having finished the annual
moult, and should be killed for the table,
After the second annual moult hens are apt
to become egg-bound, especially if well fed
and fat. The excess of fat that accumu-
lates about the lower intestines and oyaries
weakens these organs and renders them in
capable of performing their offices. Hence
the fowl suffers and becomes pro6tless,
When left too long the bird becomes fever
ish and the flesh is unfit for food. The
better way is to avoid this trouble, since
there is no cure, by not allowing the birds
to 90 into the second winter Trouble of
this kind seldom occurs with pullets or
young hens.
To obtain a supply of winter eggs we
must have the chicks out in March or
April. Leghorns and some of the smaller
breeds viii do in May, or the first of June,
but the Brahmas and Cochins must come
off early, that they may have the full season
for growth The Asiatics are generally
good Layers in winter and need less artificial
heat, as nature has not furnished them with
any ornamental appendages which suffer by
exposure to frost For them it is not ne
eessary to spend large sums in warm build
ings What they dispense with in this re-
spect they demand IN feed, which must be
given regularly. The feed must be kept
up and varied with animal and vegetable
diet. The supply of water must never fail.
We must feed, and feed long time before
the eggs win come. Any breed of hens
will consume an enormous quantity Of feed
before commencing to lay but after having
once begun they viii not require, or even
take so much grain. When laying, their
great craving is for vegetable and animal
substances and crushed clam or oyster
shells.
Fowls that are regularly trained have
certain portions of the day for their differ
ent feeds My birds require their shells at
night, as well as their greens, and their
grain In the morning. and always fresh
water When one has the time and conye-
nienee, and enjoys the petting Of fowls
making warm stews ON very cold day Is
an admirable plan, and the birds relish them
marvelously Take beef or pork scraps
and put them into an old kettle, having
them previously chopped fine, and fill it
half full of water. While stewing, throw
in a dozen chopped onions, two dozen
cayenne peppers, and the day 5 coffee and
tea grounds. Thicker the mixture with
corn meal and serve it around among the
hens hot. They relish ii amazingly when
once taught to eat it, and win look for the
ration daily at the certain time. On cold
winter days give this feed between two and
three clock IN the afternoon and the chicks
get their crops warmed up for coming cold
at night If scraps are not handy boil I'M
peeled potatoes and serve in the same man
ner, adding little grease or cold gravies
left over from yesterdays dinner.
The conlbed varieties require warmer
quarters and SUMMER exposures than the
Asiatics. and are good winter layers after
December and early january. They will
lay in the fall if early Matched, but the
change of fall to winter and the getting
into winter quarters affects them, and they
seldom commence again before the days be
gin TO lengthen, at which time Brahmas
win cease egg production and become
broody.s Where one has the convenience
1t Is well to keep both kinds, in order to
insure supply Of eggs. It i useless to
expect many eggs from old fowls Of any
variety. Have the buildings ready early
and the fowls of the right age and in cen
dition to insure success The business of
our domestic hen is to produce eggs, and
we must feed her for it-C B. "a 65Uaf5y
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