Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-05-17
Poultry-Yard Suggestions.

The first question the person about to
embark in raising poultry asks is: What
breed of fowl shall | keep? Select the
kind YOU like the best, find that best
adapted to your surroundings, market, etc.
There are plenty to pick from; some are
noted for egg production, others for sIz7,
and some for all purposes. They are all
good and far better than scrubs. After
choosing the ones you wish, provide su1ta
BILE shelter for their dwelling.
The fowl horse should not be looked
upon with Indifference, for it pays most
important part in successful or unsuccess
full poultry-raising. | do not meaE that 1t
should be an expensive structure, with an
attractive and stylish appearance, but see
that it faces the south, and have gooc,
tight roof, and a good, light floor. These
are iniispe Asable features. L would ele-
vate it a foot or more from the ground, so
that vermin cannot live under it aud when
winter comes, bank it up we'll with strong
manure. Never have hooks or invisible
places in or about the poultry-house. Do
not use too much glass-for the glass
craze" is subsiding. Too much is as bad
as too little, and why? Because the sun
shining upon the windows in the day
warm, where there is such large Windows,
and at night the room becomes too cold
and the variation in temperature is any
thing but good for the inmates. Two
ordinary mine Zig ht" sashes are enough
for a room eight by ten, and will give all
the light that is necessary.
Batten the crack up tightly, and d.
not rely upon them for ventilation, but
yantllatnr that 1t will
not convey a direct draft upon the fowls.
very good way is so make square
pipe of 6-inch or foo5 boards, and run IT
from the floor out through the roof, Put
a two sian cap upon the top, so as to
keep the rain out, aud near the bottom
of the pipe, and the top thereof, bore
holes large or small, according to the
size of the room, You can alco have
lids or little doors upon the pipe, to open
and shut as you think BEST. | think this
makes a very durable lair conveyer,"
especially for winter.
The next question which confronts the
beginner Is: How aud what shall l feedY
We take it for granted that he has pur
chased his birds already mated and We
will, therefore, pass mating by. The YER
dict of the most successful breeders 81
ways is in favor of a varied diet, consist
ing of corn. oats, wheat, meat, etc. Most
any one knows what is meant by varia-
zion in feedin-. We all know fowls must
have grass. and there is no better drink
for them than sweet or sour milk. 1t
makes perfect food for them. young Or
did. Never omit the tox of coal ashes,
lime and grsvel, for they must have 1t,
especially when confined. Pure cold
water, furnished regularly aud often, Is
another necessity. Never overlook Il.
When the young chicks come, if possible
put them in building With board floor
for week or two, after which they may
be removed to their brood -coops outside,
where the mother can be cooped until the
dew is off, in the morning, and then
turned out with her little family 10
scratch until evening. The first feed should
be hard boiled eggs and bread crumbs.
As they become old enough, wheat ana
cracked corn will be splendid, and, once
in a While, coarse corn meal, moist with
sour or sweet milk. Keep them fire.. from
lice by greasing their heads acd under
wings with lard. Feed four or six times
daily; use common sense and you will
not have to fear for the future OF the
chicks.
In conclusion would say, some Of the
most essential me ans 70 become pros
porous poultry-keeper are: Start with
one kindly; go slow; study your work and
be persistant end patient Fowls pay as
well as any farm prodCct, and now since
it has been demonstrated that large Rum
bers can be kept on the same place when
proper management is adopted, there is
room for not only thought but action, in
this matter, which, If properly used, will
be recompensed handsomely deter
minatiou to succeed with market poultry
or raising fowls for breeding purposes
will most usually, be crowned with sue
cess. The market remains SURF. end
while NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. are lov. the at
tention of those who are looking for the
mighty dollar cannot but be arrested
By this great industry.