Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-02-02
Eggs in Winter.

Generally, it may be observed, that
winter laying depends more on the food
and care which hens receive than on
the breed or strain to which they be-
long. And further, that those breeds
which are the most heavily feathered,
and are the least affected by severe cold,
are the best winter layers. To this
class Light Brahmas, Plymo 1th Rocks,
and Cochins are considered as belong
ing, but it is doubtful if the Cochins
should be included among the "best
layers" at any time. Much also de.
pends on the time hens were Matched.
In writer's opinion and the opinion has
been founded on observation and ex-
perience, late Matched chickens make
the best layers. They do not attain to
a large size, for their growth is cut
short by the approach of winter. But
for this very reason their maturity is
hastened and their laying qualities in
creased. If the smaller and earlier
maturing breeds are chosen, June and
July will give good results. Plymouth
Rocks should not, for the purpose con-
templated, be Matched later than June ;
Brahmas not later than the middle of
June.
The pullets having been secured, no
matter what breed they may be, they
must be well fed in order to furnish
eggs in the winter. Feeding we'll does
not mean simply giving all the corn,
oats, or wheat they will eat. Feeding
well is feeding at the right time in the
right manner, with variety of good
food. The fowls are in confinement,
having only small yard for a run.
But they need gravel, insect, and a
variety of spicy and aromatic seeds,
such as they get when foraging over a
wide territory, or something to take
the place of these things. And with
these they need exercise. 1t will be
well, therefore, to make the floor of
their home of gravelly sand, and throw
coal ashes into their yard frequently
also to put little bog in the house and
keep 1t supplied with eranulated oys-
ter shells. Keep plenty of clover hay
or staw in the house. Sweepings from
the barn floor, dried grass or weeds
from the garden. or anything of the
sort will be useful. A sheaf of wheat
or oats hung up within reach will also
be beneficial. For their daily food we
will give them early in the morning,
wheat screenings, wheat or buckwheat,
or cracked corn, handful for each
towel. This should be scattered in the
straw, ON the bottom of their house
They will find every grain of it, and il
it keeps them scratching until noon
so much the better. AT noon we will
give them soft food, Iran and corn meal
in equal parts, ,scalded or wet with milk
This should contain two or three times
week, good sprinkling of red pep
per or ginger, and little salt. Just
before dark they should have a gener
Gus supply of whole corn. Of course
water must be supplied, and the table
scraps are always acceptable and bene
fetal. To supply meat, which in limit
ed quantities is very useful,it is a gooG
plan to put few pounds of beef OF
pork scraps in box with Slated sides
The fowls can peck at it through thu
Stats, and it cannot be eaten or carried
off by dogs or cats. If the cracking.
are rich and fresh, it is the safest plar
to boil them and thicken with meal
thus making a mush that can be fed a
pleasure. in suitable quantities. Ii
very cold weather both grain and sof
food should be supplied warm, not hot