Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-12-28

One Of the arguments brought forth 10
prove that fowls need no protection in win
ter is that fowls ia a wild state do not need
or receive any protection, except that
which the forests furnish. OF course such
arguments are not only adduced by the
thoughtess and improvident, but such re-
marks from even such a source are prOduc-
tive Of mischief. just as careless or malic-
ious remarks about people are often believ-
ed without investigation, because 1t is easier
to believe than refute them, and also be
cause some people like TO believe such things.
Those who think and reason will not be
hard 10 convince that man has changed the
nature Of all domesticated animals TO
great degree by changing their conditions.
In regard to fowls he has shortened the
wings Of some until they cannot fly. He
has divided them into breeds and classified
them so that the breed only has to be men
toned that we may know its characters
tics One kind is adapted TO a certain pur-
pose and another 10 Just the opposite
By knowing the characteristics Of the
fowls under his charge the owner will know
Just what management they need. But
while different breeds require different
management in detail, there are general
rules which may apply to all
The changeableness Of climate in our
central states necessitates a great deal of
tact in regard TO the management of stock
~ keep them in good condition and health.
a poultry house that is suitable for sum
mer will not do for winter because the
object in summer is to secure plenty of ven
tilation, while during the coolest weather
but little ventilation is needed. Let not
this last assertion startle any one. In the
coolest Of weather, when every thing is
frozen, the air is 50 pure that only sufficient
ventilation is needed to keep the air in the
house changed, and openings which will al
low no draft are sufficient for that, while
on warmer days more ventilation is needed
So, to prevent colds among the fowls the
ventilators should be so arranged that they
can be readily managed. Remember that
the pressure Of air is fifteen pounds to the
square inch, and not have any holes where
the air can strike the fowls while they sit
on the perches.
The heat arising from the bodies Of fowls
is sufficient to create much warmth in a
tight house during the night, and to let
them out into the open air the first thing
on cold mornings is bad management and
will surely give them colds. If there is no
cold room attached to the roosting room
where they can remain awhile, then open
the door, if there are no ventilators, until
the house cools gradually, give them warm
breakfast, and then they are better able to
resist the cold
While cooked feed is more nutritious it is
often not convenient to have it all the time
but it makes a capital feed for breakfast
while the weather is extremely cold.
Eggs in winter depend upon warmth of
body-a uniform warmth cold feed takes
the warmth necessary to egg production
which the owner can supply by giving
warm feed. Warm feed need not necessa-
rly be cooked feed. Grain can be warmed
with little trouble
After the corn is shelled it can be put in
to pot or kettle on the stove and stirred
until it is warmed, aud it will do no harm
if it is 'parched' little in fact many
people feed charred corn for the special
purpose Of increasing egg production, but
! suspect the warmth impaired to the body
has a great deal to do with it.
If every one would remember that when
cold food is given it must be warmed before
it can be digested and that the heat neces
sarv TO warm it must come from the BODY
thus lowering the temperature. and also
that it is food that creates or keeps up
heat, they will know that the more heat
they extract from the body the more feed
is required, and they will be more willing
to 20 to a little extra trouble to warm feed
because it not only economies feed, but the
production of eggs will repay all the extra
trouble - Indiana Fdimer