The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-30
POULTRY.

III Inc morning heat up the table
waste with little boiling water. and
mix with bran or whatever provender
may be cheap or plentiful about the
farm, adding little pepper, and feed to
the biddies; give oats at noon, and
wheat, buckwheat or other grain at
night; this should bring plenty of eggs.
Let the hens go to roost with full crop.
1t is almost imperative that green feed
in the shape of marketable vegetables,
clover hay or lawn clippings, should be
fed the laying hens if they are confined.
In winter let the clover or grass be
steamed, if possible. If green bone is
fed, it may be given in lieu of any of the
regular rations, reducing according to
the quantity of bone used.
Turn over the feathered stock to the
elder children, with permission to own
any profit which may accrue from it,
and somebody will be soon convinced
that there is something in the business.
1t will be for them health promoting ex-
ercise, and the influence will be exhilar-
ating. The end will be business, en-.
thusiasm, pleasure and profit.
Many times more poultry would be
used if town and city people could get
young and choice fowls, and could know
that it was choice. The markets of the
world are open to US, too; let us make
use OF the great foreign demand, and
this great demand in all our own cities.
Mature the chickens early, selling off the
ROSTERS and surplus hens before they
get old and unmarketable.
For winter eggs select some choice
young hens and pullets. Keep them
away from the rooster, as unfertile eggs
keep better. Feed rich food with scraps
OF meat. ground bone, variety of grain
and other feed, with warm quarters, and
you will have plenty of winter eggs.
Guinea fowls are quite useful where
there are many enemies to poultry, such
as hawks, snakes and rats. for they are
ever on the alert to detect danger and
give the alarm quickly, aud in such
shrill and constant tones that the enemy
generally leaves before the owner comes
upon the scene with his gun. The flesh
is relished by many for its gamey flavor,
while their eggs. though small, are ex-
ceedingly rich. and the number they lay
fully makes up for the lack of size.
Cold weather is upon us. and the hen
which has not finished moulting, or, in
fact, was not through some time ago,
can not continue to make feathers and
eggs at the same time; but in most cases
the fowls which are still moulting can
be easily fattened. and should then be
killed. One reason for their failure to
finish moulting while the weather is
warm is lack of constitutional vigor,
probably. This of itself would be suffi-
Gent objection to keeping them for
breeders another year. The flock will
give better proportionate record for
eggs without them.
Turkeys wander too much to put on
fat, il allowed freedom. This activity is
all right while the birds are growing.
The fattening process need not continue
more than 10 days or two weeks. They
should be placed in darkened coops, with
feed given moderately for the first three
or four days, increased to the full
amount OF their ability to deyour. Over
feeding at first hurts digestion. They
fatten rapidly but after 10 or IA days
appetite fails and loss begins.