The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-11-03
Geese, Ducks and Chickens Together


different kinds Of fowls together, as the
hens get the grain the ducks would
waste, and no more room Is needed for
both than either alone. We have fifty
fowls-geese, ducks and hens-in
room twenty feet square, with dry
ground floor. Not q single sick bird
have we seen since last summer, and
we fail to find any argument here for
separating them. Besides economy in
room, 1t is much easier to care for them
together.
GRIT FOR FOWLS.
Last winter we reported through the
columns of the Ohio Farmer our meth
cd of giving ducks supply of grit. 1t
was by taking half pail Of gravelly
ground, grass, roots, etc., and flooding
the whole with water. We thoroughly
believe that whatever we give our
fowls to better their condition can re-
suit only in gain to US. 1t is not "how
little bother they are to US" that tells
on the credit side Of our accounts, but
how great returns we can succeed in
getting as result of our labor"
Too many farmers keep poultry that
they may reap something for moth
ing" They figure that with no capital
or labor invested, all is gain, while we
believe that we often lose more by
what we do not do than through ex-
pended labor. Near the barn where
our fowls are kept is large pile of Gin
ders which had been removed from
engine at threshing time. During the
fall months, shortly after letting out
the ducks, they would make Decline
for these cinders, and greedily devour
the sharp particles found there. This
shows me more than any former expe-
rience, how great necessity grit is to
ducks.
We know that the health of fowls
greatly depends upon the amount of
grit they have. Now we are giving
ground oyster shells, in such quantities
as they choose to devour, guarding
rather against restriction than over
supply. Now is the time to take es.
pecial care of all breeding fowls, that
they may begin the breeding season
full of vigor and in perfect health.
WATER SUPPLY.
There is nothing so conducive to per-
feet healthfulness as pure, fresh water
within reach at all times, and there is
certainly nothing so promotive of con-
slant egg supply. 1t is of equal impor.
lance with proper food. People who
are blessed with a running stream of
spring water near the poultry house
have certainly half less care TO be-
stow upon their fowls than though they
had the water problem to constantly
contend with. Our fowls require
about fifteen gallons of water daily,
and they get it, too. Now supposing
they had to hunt for it, or not being
able to find it, especially when the
ground is frozen or covered with snow
as at present, were forced to go without
water or eat snow. Think you we
could over-estimate the harm done, OF
the great emptiness of our poultry
purses? Some people seem to think
the poor fowls require no water, for
they force them to 60 without between
rains in summer or thaws in winter.
This water not only needs to be fresh,
but should be supplied in perfectly
clean drinking vessels. This requires
some work, especially for ducks and
geese. In winter, serious phase of
the promblem present itself. How
shall we keep the water from freezing?
Ice water is detrimental to egg-produc-
ing birds as absence of water. Prac-
tically few people have frost-proof hen
coops, and to the mary we would offer
the following solutions;
l. Supply warm water three u Tour
time daily. 2. Have thick drinking
vessels and heat them. 3. Take stone
or plate iron and heat to about $50 de-
grees, and set drinking vessels upon it..
4. (And where many fowls are kept,
we believe this to be the most reliable
and the least work. Make a regular
brick box like chimney on the ground,
containing two or three small air-holes.
1t needs no door. opening. Have two
thirds of the top open TO admit reser-
voir, constructed of galvanized iron or
copper. At the covered end place a
lamp, and the continuance is complete.
No danger of fire or frost. The cost of
this continuance is trifing. The brick
would cost fifty cents, and the reser-
voir $1.50, with flange around edge to
catch on wall, three inches wide. The
lamp couldibe purchased for fifty cents,
and the oil would be paid for hundred
fold in the comfort to the fowls.-Cor
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