The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-30
The Southern Poultry Yard.


Where poultry keeping is carried on in
a methodical way, and with the object Of
getting all the profit possible out of the
business, all management that tends to
economize labor and insure the health and
nrotection to the fowls should be carefully
made. Anything worth doing at all is
worth doing as well as it is possible for us to
do il. Loose, slipshop management never
nays in anything-even in penning goats.
Poultry raising cannot be made very
nroatable and pleasant occupation without
observing certain requirements that COM
bIne to make it such. The essentials are
not Of an elaborate nature or involve any
great OF unnecessary expense. A cheaply
constructed poultry house answers for all
practical purposes just as well as an expen-
sive one. Cleanliness, pure water and
good food are fundamental requirements.
Good stock and good care. which means
regular attention, is imperative also to sue
cess. A practical experience must precede
perfect success in the poultry yard. Thoss
who have had no experience can learn a
great deal from those who have had if they
choose to take advantage Of the suggestions
made them. We can always begin where
some one has left off If we wish to.
Il pays far more than the cost to have a
closely picketed Enclosure to which the
various broods with their small coops are
transferred as soon as they are Matched
This inclosure should be protected by
fence at least five or six feet high. A close
beard fence would be better, but we'll
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practicable, and it certainly is, it should be
50 made as to keep out nearly everything
that is likely to depredate on the young
chiokens--dogs, cats, weaSels, possums,
minxes, snakes and even rats can be barred
out if you will only take the trouble to do
it. The nearer one comes to keeping these
destructive animals out Of his poultry yard
the greaSer assurance will there be Of sue
cess
AS soon as a brood Is Matched the hen
should be placed in small coop, out of which
the little chicks should not be allowed to go
until they are several days old. For twenty
four or even forty-eight hours after Matching
the chicks need no food. The second day they
should DO fed German millet seed. They
can be raised on this entirely, but il pre-
ferred after they are two or three weeks old
wheat can be substituted for it. If 1t can be
reasonably avoided do not resort to dough.
II part Of the feed, whether millet or
wheat, can be parched or Drowned in the
oven the diet will be improved thereby.
Corn is robbed Of its deleterious effect upon
laying hens if it is slightly Drowned. with a
little of 1t considerably charred before
feeding it TO them.
Poultry crave charcoal, it seems, about as
much as human beings do salt. See that
they can get a supply of it one way or an
other. The best way TO give it to them is in
the way suggested.
Provide pure water in shallow iron ves-
sells for the hen and young chicks, and SO
arrange 1t that they will get it without get
ting their feet in it which can be prevented
by covering with board not quite as wide
as the vessel.
The best material for making the ooops is
leth-a thousand will make a good many
coops. Every few days the ooops should be
moved so as to secure clean place. the old
places raked up and sprinkled with lime
Tor ashes) For the purpose OF shade or
protection from heavy rains, squares of
cheap oil cloth-or any other material that
will serve the purpose-should be provided
to lay over the coops. In the very early
spring some covering at night is desirable for
the purpose Of keeping the broods warm,
though they are not likely to suffer much
in our mild climate.
The mother hen should be fed corn so that
she will regain her lost flesh, but the corn
ration should be stopped some weeks before
she begins laying again.
Whole wheat or wheat and oats half and
half is the best food for laying hens. and
moist wheat bran is proper food, but the
latter should not be fed to the chicks. Let
their constant food DO the small grains that
we have previously named The regular
poultry raiser should grow a goodsized
plat OF African Tor Ivory wheat for the ex-
elusive purpose of feeding to young chicks.
1t is an extremely productive grain and a
quarter Of an acre will supply large guam
tity of the very best food that can be fed to
poultry.
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