Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-26
Written for the oxford Democrat.
DnIn ION NOTES


"Why don't INV hens lsy:" is query
that is ringing all over this part of New
England AT the present writing (the mid
die of February, aud the same state oi
sfiairs has prevailed for several weeks
past.
That the question must find an echo
in the hesr rts OF many owners OF fowls
We may icel convinced, and possibly
comforted a bit thereby, for upon scan-
ming the reports of prices OF eggs IN
Boston We lind that there has been a
considerable advance-an index that
large area of territory that had been
tmptying itself into that market, has for
some reason suddenly ceased 10 con-
tribute.
II l. rather unusual that such should
he the ease, for hy this time prices are
generally considerably below the high
maximum they reach ia December and
are well on their downward way. Yet
the answer i not far to seek-the cause
for so much complaint is 10 be in large
measure found In the extremely severe
weather that has prevailed over so large
territory these past weeks. Not only
hAs this affected us In this vicinity, who
expect ysry cold weather AZ this time, but
also those farther south and west who are
not 80 often visited with prolonged dips
0f the Thermometer below zero.
Generally speaking, nor'Wester, ac-
companicd by severe cold, II prolonged
for few dsvs, i pretty sure 10 sup
press the LAYING activity of the hens. II
i true that very often pen OF hens
NAV have laid more eggs upon some par
ticularlv cold dav thsn il had been IN the
habit OF layiug for some days before
but this can often be accounted Tor hy
the fact that the weather had been mild,
the birds had been getting themselves
into better LAYING condition because oi
the long-prevailing mildnesS-and then
" hen the few very cold days came, the
birds were simply laying those eggs
that had been getting ready and were
very nearly matUred; but a prolonged
cold spell during which the cold tnd>
time 10 penetrate into the interior OF
even the warmcsi buildings, i very SUR
70 place a temporary check upon the
important function OF egg-lNying.
Al this has reference 70 fowls tia,
are otherwise iu faultless condition
that would lav. 81 Ear - their health l.
concerned, under mere favorable climat-
IL conditions.
When the birds concerned, however.
have pale faces and combs, Whea these
parts have ~ilted appearance ana
often look dark or liVid, then We have %
look deeper into the causes at the root
Of their Inactivity and set about actively
10 find the trouble. not charging Il to
the weather. but rather 10 our own lack
Of proper care OF them.
Birds With bright red faces and active
habits. with an esgerneSs FOR their
ratious, will soon react from cold
wave aud resume tusincss-but not -
With the others.
fhv this time a flock OF birds i not in
good color, by reason OF prolonged con
tiuemeut aud improper feeding aud care.
IL will tc ,till'S long time before they
become so. They will De but little Ike
IN To Set restored To- condition OF
health until the Increasing mildness OF
the DAYS make, IL possible for them lo
get out Of doors and supply for thcm-
selves those needed COmpouents oi their
food. such a. gravel, animal aud Ntge-
table m ttter. - WAS withheld from them
during the prolonged period of their eou-
dnemvnt.
Il Is one thing 70 merely winter
hen. and very different thing 10 bring
her out in the sprjng - good or even
better than when IN" went IL IN the iaii.
fresh from her forage ground. MANY
keuS COme cut in the spring IN much tht
same shape - some mruS COWS o.
horses. They are still here. but that :
all. OF course in such there has not
ouly not been any profit. but there /
not going 90 pe any. IL will take them
"A long time 10 get upon healh'W
footing, and until they are at that
point Wr can not expect them 20 do any
thing extra for u in the shape OF egg,
or OF strong chicks from such eggs.
We would then urge the poultry keep
er TO look sfiyr his hens al once. II 80 be
that the sin Of neglect i ~ his door'
Make every efior5 20 get them 20 looking
bright aud roSy-faced, and to shoN
their well-being ~ cheerful spirits and
active habits. Revise their food ration
Give them not too much, by no means ~
much as they will eat. BE- sure there l.
me- Z I'm some form for them. for it ht>
been long time since Biddy has haG
the pleasure of pulling a worm out oi
the ground BY the nape of its meek; see
that there i lime Ia some form, aud set
thereto that there Is plenty
OF sharp gravel. Too much Importance
cannot be given to this latter NECESSITY
Indeed il j. an excellent index TO The
of a flock Of hens To- examine
their gravel box and observe the rate al
which they eat Il. \ pen oil birds IN
good health snd laying actively. VIII
consume many times more gravel anc
than one that is below par
When digestion is torpid by reason oi
wrong feeding, the hen seems TO tax
but little gravel. Just a. soon as thai
function becomes restored she USES
much greater quantities of il. Win
shells il i just the same. IL Is an easy
matter 10 tell whether hens are laying
or not independent Of any knowledgt
of the eggs OF course, by observing
how rapidly the shells are being con-
sumed.
j. G.. GEHRING. NJ. D., Bethel.