National Republican., 1883-11-07
For TIE FARNrERs.
Items for AgricuIturists-somo Notes on
Poultry Management


Philddsiphid Record.
The fall is the time in which to make selec-
tions of the pullcts that are intended as win.
ter layers. 1t must be considered that fowls
are adapted for particular seasons according
to the breeds Tho Lcghorns commence lay
ing very early, but unless given warm quar-
ters and the best of food rarely make good
winter layers. In fact, all fowls should be
made comfortable during the winter season,
but their are breeds endowed with heavier
and closer feathering than others, which arc
thereby enabled 60 retain tho animal heat
longer. An examination of Leghorn hen
will demonstrate that tho body under tho
wings Is nearly naked, being covered only by
the wings, while the body of Brahfna Is not
only covered by the wings but also by heavy
plutf featherng, soft and downy, which is
! servceablo during the long winter season.
| There may be exceptions, but such is usually
the case. Leg feathering, however, is of no
| advantage as tho feathers keep the legs con-
! tinually damp where the fowls arc confined
on heavy clay soil Tho comb is another OBJ
stable to the Loghorns, black Spanish and
| Plymouth Rocks such fowls having tall
single combs, which are easily frosted when
exposed 60 severe cold winds or when thoy
become wet as the danger of freezing is
| thereby increased. Tho combs may be cut oil
close to the head, as also the wattlcs If neccs-
sary, which operation is not necessarily dan
gerous, but sometimes beneficial when the
combs are very heavy.
During tho damp weather at this timo of
the year the roup sometimes makes its appear
| ance even when tho fowls have received tho
best care that can be bestowed. There arc
many forms of roup, and IL becomes Conta-
gious in focks when allowed to have its way
| unchecked; but tho mild form is usually u
cold, the symptoms being stoppage Of tho
nostrils, which gives the well known hoarse
breathing with the mouth open. 1t some
times appears also as u disease of the throat,
and other times the eyes and head are
affected, in all cases attended by general de-
bility loss of appetite and depressed spirits
Tho most essential object should be to scpar-
ate tho sick fowls from tho Others and re-
move them to n dry, warm location, feeding
on soft, nutritious food. little copperas
solution in the drinking water is about all the
medicine necessary, as doctoring often does
more harm than good. The best remedy is
warmth.
In selecting the winter layers IL is best to
reserve those that were hatched early If the
small breeds are kept. the pullets Matched a.
late as the beginning of June sometime!
begin to lay about Christmas but those {
J month older will give more satisfactory re
suits. The large brecds-Brahmas Cochins
and Plymouth Rocks-require more time dur
ing which to grow and mature, and pullets o
such breeds, when intended as winter layers
, should be Matched as early as possible, Marcl
, being the month preferred, but later hatchet
, pullets of the large breeds often begin to 10.
early. and produce quite u number of egg
D before spring begins. Langshan pullets begil
to lay nearly as early as Leghorns, which is
. good quality for u breed Of largo fowls, an
the crosses Of the LanEshan with mixed o
, common fowls also produce good early layers
In crossing fowls, one of the best that cal
r be made is to mate a Houdan cock wit
. Brahma hens, the result being very fno, Wig
orous, large fowls. The brown Lcghorn cocl
I when mated with partridge Cochin hens ais
: produces excellent fowls, which are not onl
profitable but beautiful in plumago.
Feeding requires Judgment, for fowls, !
order to lay and give good results, must b
j. give good results, must be given variet,
q green food being allowed as regular additio
to the supply of grain. Meat in some shaI
a is also essential, and good quarters and pui
< water are very important. AS eggs brin
better prices now and during the winter tina
at any other time, the breeder will be woll r.
warded for the care he may bestow, If IL
fowls are properly attended to and the
wants amply supplied.