The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-11-24
Practical Poultry Points.

Practical Poultry Points.
The fall fairs thus far show that the
Plymouth Rocks still retain their
popularity as first-class utility breed.
They are always dressed in their busi-
ness suits.
Too many male birds lessen the
profit and are Objectionable in other
ways. Dispose of surplus males as
soon as possible, but retain one or two
more than needed in case of accident,
etc.
Success depends on management in
any kind of business. No business
will manage itself. The farmer who
pays little or no attention to his flock
should only expect little or noreturns.
Business attention given to flock oi
properly housed hens would be great
revelation to many farmers.
Farmers near cities and towns can
secure regular customers for fresh eggs,
to be delivered once or twice week.
An ambitious farmer could soon add
many other crops from the farm that
his customers would be glad to pur.
chase. Selling farm products direct
to consumers pays, as it saves the mid.
clemens commission, and sales are
cash down.
Mistakes in poultry keeping should
not discourage. Mistakes are object
lessons that arouse one to a sense OF
closer observation, and point out facts.
The man who makes the same mistake
twice is not very observing one.
Carelessness and mistakes are near re.
latives.
A great many poultry failures are
due to commencing with several breeds.
No one should try more than one breed
until they have proved beyond doubt
their ability to handle the one in a
way to get good results. Make study
of the breed. Each breed has distinct
peculiarities, which need to be humored
little.
Free use of air-slaked lime in the
hen house and on the yards and runs
is advisable at all seasons. Where it
can be done the runs should be well
lined and plowed or spaded and sown
with wheat or rye. Keep the hens of
until spring, then let them have access
to it. This will be better than bare
yards, and will result in decided bene-
fit to the flock in the spring.
Never deviate from therule of always
retaining the best Of the flock for
breeding purposes. Do not conclude
you can breed just as fine another year
from the older ones-you may and you
may not. "a bird in the hand" etc.,
is saying we'll worth living up to in
the poultry business.
The time is coming when there will
be demand for eggs from properly
fed fowls that have been cared for un-
der true sanitary conditions. The
price above regular market rates for
such eggs will be sufficient to encour-
age such methods. The public are
becoming awakened to the fact that
there is a vast difference in the quality
of eggs. Food and surroundings is the
main factor that produces the good or
bad quality in eggs.
The incubator is making great
strides toward superseding the hen.
Incubator chicks are just as hardy as
hen-h Matched ones. Where they be.
come weak and runty, it is the fault
of the brooding conditions, where
there are lots yet to learn.
Every year brings evidence of the
value of the scratching shed. The
active hens are the layers. Exercise
is essential to health and egg produc.
ton. Scratching sheds also are health
promoters by keeping the flock from
being unnecessarily exposed during
inclement weather.
The "duckling" business has grown
to an enormous one, and still there
are yet large cities that have got to be
educated up to the point of appreciat-
ing their worth. Great as the increase
in "ducklings" promises to be, the
demand for them will more than in
crease in proportion, and good prices
prevail.
Sawdust should never be strewn
where the feed is given to poultry.
Soft food will adhere to it, and, if
eaten with the food, it is apt to cause
crop trouble. Feed the soft food in
clean troughs. Place it in the troug hs
before the fowls are let out in the
morning.
Perhaps in the near future the poul'
try shows will require something more
than mere form and feathers. 1t is
time utility merit was called for IN a
more pronounced way. Worth and
beauty in poultry should be we'll
matched team. Baltimore Sun.