Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-11-26
Anrienltmral department.
Poultry N otes.

One of the causes Of disease among
fowls is the inability to secure sharp
gravel They can at times easily pro-
cure gravel that is smooth, but it
does not answer the purpose. There
must be cutting edges to the substance
If sharp substance is provided the
fowl will use it in the gizzard for
masticating the food, and when void
ed from the bodyi will be round and
smooth. The gritty substances are
not ground up and digested, as some
suppose, but pass through the body
as soon as they become smooth. Oys-
ter shells are not hard enough, Brok-
ed glass or old uncolored crockerv
ware, in fact, any sharp, hard sub
stance, should be provided where the
birds can always get it.
While some may prefer board floors
there are those who are partial to
cal I'll 1IODi oOStiV HUBS HdNC
the advantage of preventing damp
ness. There will be more or less
dampness that arises by capillary at
traction when the floors are of earth,
and when cleaning earth floors there
will be large amount of it to remove.
If the floors are of boards they will
be always dry, and earth can be
thrown in to any depth, and be east
lv removed and renewed. The boards
are more expensive, but are warmer
and better.
The Wyandotte is one of the best
breeds for market and for crossing on
common hens in order to produce
broilers. 1t is, perhaps, not super
ior to the Plymouth Rock in some re-
spects, but it is compact, has yellow
legs and skin, and natures a month
earlier than the Plymouth Rock, but
does not breed as true to color of
L III ClOSSiHS5 Oi httiA III w
Plymouth Rock or Asiatic hens, the
WyandOtte is on of the best breeds
tha can be used.
The Leghorns will lay as we'll in
the winter season as any other breed.
They are more subject to frosted
combs and wattles, as we'll as to the
influences Of cold winds, but if the
poultry house is ample, and the in
terror warm and snug, there need be
no fear of frosted combs. One of
the points to be observed is that, as
the Leghorn is an active bird, it must
be kept in a condition permitting of
exercise. 1t makes no difference how
limited the quarters if they are pro-
vided with plenty of litter to scratch
in. They thrive best when they are
compelled to seek their food, and in
winter they will work for their food
on the poultry house floor as we'll as
outside.
There is nothing to prevent the
fowls from running out in dry days
| in the winter season. Dampness
and high winds do more damage to
them than when the weather is dry
and the temperature well below zero.
| Give them some place that is dry
and shelter against the winds, and
they will not care for the cold. As
we have often stated, an open shed.
facing the south, but through which
there are no draughts of air, is bet
ter than poultry house which con-
tains cracks or crevices.
Red pepper is cooling, and not
heating. To give it at every meal
is wrong. 1t will serve well as an
occasional appetizer, but should new
e. be given regularly. A little salt
in the soft food daily will be of adj
vantage. Sulphur should not be
given at any time during the winter.
If YOU have too many males some
of them will be cowcd, and so kept
in subsection as to be unserviceable
1t is, therefore, better to have one
male with a certain number of hens
than to have several males in one
large flock.
Now that cold weather is coming
piece of tarred paper here and there
or, what is better, he whole of the
interior well lined with either tarreC
paper or building paper, and quite ;
difference will be noticed when The
weather is severe. Paper of any kinC
is an excellent non-conductor of heat
and is so cheap that every one wht
has a poultry house should use it
1t will save ten times its cost in a sin
gle season.
A sick bird should never be permit
ted to drink at the same fountain
with those that are well, as diseas,
is quickly transmitted by the water
Remove the sick birds and chang
; the water daily, keeping the drink
ing vessels thoroughly clean.
The farmers of this country vast
enough feed each year to winter a