The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-23


der double disadvantage; they have extra
care and expense in feeding them, and must
be content with less remuneration.
Those, then, who wish to obtain the high
est rates for their young stock should beg in
at once to lay out wisely their spring work.
attention is given it.
In the first place, more care should be
exercised than is usually given by farmers
and others to the selection of their breeding
stock. If you have large flock of all sorts,
kill off one-half or more, selecting for this
pullets, the black-feathered, the blue and
green-legged, and all the worthless cocks
and cockerels. Keep only as many as you
can house and feed we'll. It is we'll in
making the selection of breeders to have
regard to uniformity of color. Some mother
stray white or black chick if the majority of
her children are of the opposite color.
Yellow legs and skins are also to
be desired; it is especially desirable
4. that the cock have this quality. Select, if
you can, such as mature early, and those
that have an abundant coat of feathers.
The size OF the mature fowl is not a matter
of SO much Importance when breeding for
the early market; for the difference in
weight between Leghorn and Cochin at
six or eight weeks old will not be very
great. At two months old pair of Leg
horns, if they have good care, will weigh
three and one-half pounds, and q pair Of
Asiatics, with the same care. will do but
little better. When this age is passed, how
ever, there will soon appear wide differ
ence in weight. If your own stock is who'll
ly unfit for breeding, kill off the males and
either purchase some good fowls for the
purpose, or buy a thoroughbred cock or two
Of reliable fancier. Your mongrel hens
will do better than the majority of pure
bred fowls for mothers.
How to obtain eggs that will hatch we'll
and produce healthy chicks is point not
understood by many who attempt this
work. Too many fowls are often kept, and
the fowls unhealthy. The same flock is
sometimes kept for several years without
the introduction of fresh blood, and old
hens are made to do duty until they become
great grandmothers, and so the vitality of
rims with your neighbor is of no avail yery
often, for they may have pursued similar
course with their flock. The best plan is to
keep a moderate number, weed out the
flock every year, introduce fresh, vigorous
blood, at least once in two years; allow
good, active cock to every twenty hens, and
keep your aocks clean and we'll fed, and
you will have no trouble with eggs that will
not hatch.
With good breeders and good eggs, YOU
will have, in due time, young chicks that
will be worth taking care Of. And they
must have constant attention if YOU expect
them to thrive in March and April weather,
If you have a vacant loft or room in an
Outbuilding, where you can put up an old
stove, you are fortunate. Here the young
brood should spend the first day or two Of
their lives. Their coops, to which thew
must soon be transferred, should be placed
in warm, sunny quarter, and the floor,
whether of boards or earth, elevated a
little, so as to be kept dry. It is of the ut
most Importance that the chicks be kept
from dampness and from cold winds; at
least, they must have a dry shelter into
which they can run when inclined to do
80. A little dry sand or coal ashes spread
over the floor Of their cpops every few days
will serve good purpse in keeping them
clean and healthy. It is best at this early
season to keep the hen in confinement the
greater part of the time. !. The chicks, too,
should be kept in until the sun is we'll up
In the mornings. Next in importance to
good shelter is generous and judicious feed
ing. Crumbs and scraps from the table are |
good to begin with. As staple food, corn
meal and bran scalded with water or milk
cannot be surpassed. As change, cracked
corn ana wheat screenings, given drv, are
excellent. As a stimulus and appetizer.
little red pepper or Imperial Egg Food in the
morning meal, every other day, should be
given to them. They should be fed not less
than SIX times daily. Little and often
should be rule, taking care that they have
all they will eat. Of course they should be |
water.
With such care as is here recommended
you will have thrifty broods, ready for the |
slaughter at any moment, and be able to |
pocket your fifty or sixty cents q pound
American Poultry Yard.