The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
POULTRY.

There are broiler firms who produce
5000 or more chicks at the same time
by the use Of incubators, and everything
is conducted upon business principles.
1t would be impossible to supply the
spring markets with early broilers were
it not for artificial incubation.
With good supply of water and
good supply of feed, we should remem.
Der, also, to give the latter in variety.
1t certain ration does not produce
eggs, then change it or alternate it with
something else. Fowls may have enough
to eat, but not just the kind they desire
nor need.
1t is troublesome job to keep water
before hens in winter, but they must
have it in plenty. or they will neither dc
we'll nor lay well. Protect it from the
filth. In cold weather let it be placed
before them as hot as they can drink it.
Without painstaking there will be no
success.
Always keep before the fowls supply
OF ground bone or oyster shell, and to
these may be added cut fresh bone or
meat. There is no single ration which
will give such results as ground fresh
bone from the market. Place sheep
carcass in the hen yard, and the increase
in the egg production will be at once
discernible
The farmer will obtain large increase
in production and profit by checking
the roaming tendency of his fowls This
is really matter worth needing. 1t will
pay to provide suitable shelter and
yards, and they will not only return
amply for the care bestowed, but that
care brings pleasure of its own.
Because capons find ready market
in few of the larger cities of the coun-
try it does not follow that they will be
equally in demand everywhere. At some
points the supply far exceeds the de-
mand. Let US restrict the production
until the demand increases.
An excellent morning ration for the
hens is boiled oats. If laying, a good
mixture can be made of meal, bran and
ground oats. For the evening meal al.
ternate with wheat, corn and oats, whole;
and give them the needed exercise by
making them scratch for it under the
straw.
Save the chicken manure. Place the
droppings in barrels or boxes, and keep
them from contact with the rain or
snow. Some things seem trifes, but the
little savings fill up the greater leaks.
This manure, il used to the best advan-
tage, will show it's worth.
Many farmers wife is not only max
ing pin money, but large profit, from
her hens. In the near future we shall
hear of the general use of the incubator
on the farm, and in the skillful hands of
the women. The specialists will not al.
ways have things to themselves.
The hen in winter quarters must be
artifcially supplied with what she can
pick up for herself when running at
large. II grain is constantly fed. our
first prompting will be an egg laid with
thin shell. There is not shell forming
material sufficient in the ration; it is
not properly balanced.
A scientific breeder says 100 grains of
lime are needed to make a strong egg
shell, and as 1000 pounds of wheat or
corn contain less than pound of lime,
the hen cannot get the lime she needs
out of her grain ratioAs. 1t would re-
quire the lime from 400 pounds OF wheat
to supply dozen eggs.
II the poultry will not eat the clover
readily after it is run through the cut
ter. mix it with bran or shorts, and it
will make a splendid morning ration.
Steam it by throwing it into pail and
pouring boiling water over it. letting it
stand over night. In clover there will
be an abundant supply Of lime.
Do not feed merely to keep the hens
alive and satisfy their hunger. Have
purpose in feeding. and feed for that pur.
pose. Unless the hens are 10 bright,
healthy condition. expect few eggs. Ne
glect neither food, exercise, cleanliness
nor protection.