The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-12-21
Feeding Fowls in Winter.

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Writing for the Country Gcnfleman, q
correspondent says that the health OF
fowls, especially in cold weather, de
ponds greatly on the regularity and FIRE.
quency of feeding. As corn is the sta.
pie grain, it should be kept within
reach of the fowls so that they may
help themselves at pleasure and thus
they will regulate the quantity taken al
one tine as suits their convenience and
comfort. Filling the crop is injurious
1t all times, and particularly SO in Sc
we're weather. A large fowl, when stint
ed. and seeing corn but twice, and often
but once in day. will fill the crop to
repletion, taking in half pint or more
at a feed. This chills the fowl, ard if
inclined to be tender, brings on indiges-
ton, which is difficult to manage at that
season. If fed in this manner, where
there are many fowls and the quantity
insufficient. the master fowls take the
whole az the expense of the others.
have found that the better way to
feed fowls in cold weather, more es-
pecially laying hens. is to keep corn by
them the whole time. put it in
troughs at the side of the building. In
this manner they will have an equal
chance. and will ill up the crops at
night. If it is not all digested by
morning the fowl is not strong or in
perfect health. NV rule for feeding
LAYING hens in cold weather is some
times varied. but L generally endeavoI
to give soft warm feed in the morn
ing. l sometimes mix chopped onions
with it, but rs a rule give them sepa-
rately. This vegetable is an excellent
antidote for disease, and the fowls be-
come eXtravagantly fond of it. They
will eat onions at any time of the year
and at large or in confinement. In
making the mush l used unboiled corn
meal scalded with boiling water, with
sufficient grease Or drippings to make
the whole palatalle. The greasy mat
ter softens the meal and causes it to be.
come digesiible. The feed should not
be so soft as to be mushy or sloppy,
neither should it be so stiff as to choke
the fowls when swallowing it, but just
thick enough to stand up and keep in
shape.
am particular as to the manner and
matter OF the feed of my fowls at all
times, and especially SO in cold weather,
when they yield the larger profit in
eggs. My aim in keeping fowls is eggs
alone, therefore it becomes necessary to
be careful concerning the feeding. The
health depends upon it, also the profit.
Regularity is important with fowls as
well as all farm stock. Habits once
formed are permanent, and fowls may
be trained to suit the needs and ends OF
the keeper, if persevered with. But
the keeper must be always regular, for
the fowls become impatient of delay
and know their regular periods. 1t is
as easy TO raise eggs in cold weather
as in warm, and far more profitable, il
the keeper is not afraid of trouble and
constant care.
The fowls must be attended to, and il
is no small matter where the fiocks are
large to keep steady supply of water
when the weather is so severe that il
freezes in few hours. They must also
have warm shelter, comfortable roosts,
and ground floor for scratching. Lay
ing hens are active, and their activity
must be promoted. As soon as the old
fowls are through the annual moult.
which should occur before going into
winter quarters, they should be supplied
with reproducing food. The vege-
tables should be fed separately. /
often give some at the time of giving
other food, and the fowls mix as suits
their appetites. Whole corn is the
main reliance. and is always at hand.
The other feeds are interspersed and
varied from time to time, always OBJ
serving the regular period with some
kind of food that is alatable.