The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-08
Poultry Management.

Philadelphia Record.
The fall is the time in which to make selec-
tions of the pulets that are intended as win
ter layers. 1t must be considered that fowls
are adapted for particular seasons according
to the breeds The Leghorns commence lay
ing very early, but unless given warm quar-
tiers and the best of feed rarely make good
winter layers. In fact all fowls should be
made comfortable during the winter season,
but there are breeds endowed with heavier
and closer feathering than others, which are
thereby enabled to retain the animal heat
longer. An examination of a Leghorn hen
will demonstrate that the body under the
wings is sometimes nearly naked, being COW
cred only by the wings, while the body of a
Brahma is not only covered by the wings,
but also by a heavy pluff feathering, soft
and downy, which is serviceable during the
long winter season. There may be excep-
tions but such is usually the case. Leg
feathering, however, is of no advantage, as
the feathers keep the legs continually
damp where the fowls are confined on
heavy clay soil. The comb is another obstacle
to the Leghorns Black Spanish and Plymouth
Rocks, such fowls having tall single combs,
which are easily frosted when exposed to
severe cold winds or when they become wet
as the danger offreezng is thereby increased.
The combs may DE cut off close to the head,
as also the wattles, if necessary, which opera
ton is not necessarily dangerous, but some
times beneficial when the combs are very
heavy.
During the damp weather at this time of
the year the roup sometimes makes is APP
pearance even when the fowls have received
the best care that can be bestowed. There
are many forms OF roup, and it becomes con
tagious in 1ocks when allowed to have its
way unchecked; but the mild form is usually
a cold, the symptoms being stoppage of the
nostris which gives the well-known hoarse
Il. ~. IL
| times appears also as disease of the throat,
and at other times the eyes and head are
affected, in all cases attended by general de-
bility loss of appetite, and depressed spir-
its. The most essential object should be to
separate the sick fowls from the others and
remove them to dry, warm location, feeding
on soft, nutritious food. A 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 it is best to
reserve those that were Matched early. Ii
the small breeds are kept the pullets Matched
as late as the beginning of June sometimes
begin to lay about Christmas, but those a
month older VIII give more satisfactory re-
suits. The large breeds-Brahmas, Cochins
and Plymouth Rocks-reQuiFe more time
during which to grow and mature, and pull
lets of such breeds, when intended as winter
layers, should be Matched as early as posi-
BILE, March being the month preferred, but
later Matched pullets of the large breeds
often begin to lay early and produce quite a
number of eggs before spring begins. Lang
shan pullets begin to lay nearly as early as
Leghorns, which is good quality for a
breed of large fowls, and the crosses of the
Langshan with mixed or common fowls also
produce good early layers.
In crossing fowls one of the best that can
ho n,ada iS tn MATE a Houdan cork with
Brahma hens, the result being very fine,
vigorous, large fowls The brown Leghorn
cock, when mated with Partridge Cochin
hens, also produce excellent fowls, which
are not only profitable but beautiful in
plumaee.
Feeding requires Judgment; for fowls, in
order to lay and give good results, must 10