The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-21
Managing Poultry in Winter.


This is the season when eggs are high, but
if the hens are rightly managed greater
profits may be realized now than at any
other time. The oft-repeated question is:
why do the hens refuse to lay after the
weather becomes cold?' This inquiry we
propose to attempt to answer, and numerous
reasons may be given. In the frst place, a
warm and comfortable poultry house in
winter is absolutely indispensable to laying,
not that il must he heated with q stove but
that there should be no cracks or crevices in
the walls, while the floor must be kept dry
and clean. II should also have plenty of
light and the rays Of heat from the sun
should penetrate to every portion. While
the hens are very partial to a retired, dark
hen house at night, they will not remain in
side during the day unless the house is well
ventilated and light. Hence it may be
noticed that an open shed is often preferred
to q warm, close dark poultry house.
The feed should be given early, and the
Grst meal may consist of a mixture of bran,
ground oats and corn in equal proportions
scalded and fed warm, but the hens should
not be allowed full meal of the soft food
A few swallows are sufficient, and the re-
mainder of the meal should consist OF whole
gIain-wheat or oats-for which they should
be made 70 scratch by scattering it in finely
cut hay, chat, saWdust, or any kind Of ma
terial that will serve for the purpose. The
object in compelling them to scratch for
their food is to give them exercise, and pre-
vent them from becoming fat, as over-fed
hens will not lay. The best egg food is
that of q heterogeneous character, such
as milk, meat, ETC., of which they should al
ways receive a supply = n excellent sub
stitute for meat is fresh blood from the
slaughter houses 1t should be cooken aud
thickened with bran and corn meal, 30 as to
enable the attendant to crumble it to pieces
for the fowls. A cabbage chopped fine is
excellent ss q variety, as is also clover hay
cut in pieces hall an inch in length. The
clover may be scalded and added to the soft
food if preferred. Hens should never be fed
as much as they will eat during the day I'M
less they are compelled to scratch, but at
night, Just before going to roost, they may
be allowed all the corn they will eat. No
fixed allowance for hen can be estimated,
as they should receive only as much as they
will Clearly eat.
Among their requirements sre ground
bone, which may be procured from seeds
men, pounded oyster shells, gravel and pure
fresh water. Two feelings a day are sufi
Gent. except In very cold weather. 1t is a
difficult matter to prevent the water from
freezing at this season, and the plan has
been adopted of watering the hens three
times day, with water not very cold, add
ing teaspoonfQl Of tinoture of iron to each
quart of water. Cleanliness is enjoiued, and
the houses should be whitewsshed occasion
ally. Hens will not remain in filthy house
unless forced to do so, and the droppings
will compensate for the labor of their re-
moval. With clean quarters, regularity OF
feeding, variety of food, and warmth, there
will be q plentiful supply of eggs bat the
hens must be kept at work, while the dust
bath should also be provided.
Something depends upon the breed.
common flock is easily improved by the use
OF pure-bred cocks and the cross adds vigor.
Mongrel hens may be used, but the cock
must be weHbred. Large combs are objec.
tionable, as they freeze, and the Brahmas ere
preferred by some for the reason that they
are well featheTed and have small combs
The Leghorrs are the best layers, but have
large combs and vattles. A cross between q
Ieghorn cock and Brshma hen is excellent
and may be made more advantageous By
crossing again with the Brahma, so as to Sc
cure hens three-fourths Brahma and one
fourth Leghorn. The Plymouth Rocks are
the most shspely and attractive marke
chicks, and the hens are good layers. THIS
Langshans lay earlier than the other large
breeds, while the Wyandottes are compact
have small combs and produce fine nsrke
chicks. No breed possesses all the desirabl,
points but judicious crossing will greatly
assist in Improvement.