The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-03-05
PLANTER.
FORCING A HEN TO LAY.
Some Potent Reasons Why the Hen Should
BE Consulted Before Compelling Her TO
Undertake the Contract.

Some Potent Reasons Why the Hen Should
BE Consulted Before Compelling Her to
Undertake the Contract.
When the hens begin to lay, the first
thought of many a poaltry-keeper is
how to force them to lay without eeas-
ing, and as eggs can not be produced
from nothing. TIE poultryman con-
clndes that the more food the more
eggs, but that is just the rock upon
which 50 many are wrecked. for the
forcing process does not limit its OPP
eratIons in any one direction. In
forcing the hen for eggs She IS forced
to do many other things which we do
not want her to do. She may be forced
TO become too fat or diseased, or to be
utterly worthless for any purpose
whatever. Her capacity is limited, and
when she is forced TO 60 beyond that
capacity she breaks down entirely.
No hen can be forced to lay eggs.
Nature gives her certain period Of
time during which the eggs are to be
developed. Ii is not difficult to supply
her with the needed elements for this
purpose, and any surplus bestowed
will only be Il waste. for If she can not
divert the materials To production of
eggs. she will either void them or lay
them up in The storehouses of her body
as fat. and will then become utterly
untitled to thoroughly perform her
functions as a producer of eggs.
There are divers methods by which
people attempt to force the hen to lay.
One will put red pepper IN their food
to stimulate them, not being aware
that red pepper has no more influence
on the generative organs of the hen
than so much sugar or salt and the
stimulant effect derived is really
imaginary. In fact red pepper is
cooling to a certain extent, and its
pungence is but temporary. Another
believes in putting tonics in the drink
ing water, the tonies being composed
of nearly all substances, many of
which are rank poisonous. such as cop
peras, tnctnre OF nux yomica. Even
oil of vitriol. in the well-known Doug
lass mixture, is swallowed By the hens
with the water they drink to assist
them in laying eggs. Yet when the
hens succnmb 10 the effects of the sew
eral nostrums, they are condemned as
not being hardy. or the difficulty is at
tributed TO some disease, which calls
for more nostrums.
If hen is healthy and has a good
appetite, the nostrums can not improve
her. Eggs are not produced from
powders, pills or solutions but from
the food. A healthy hen is no subject
for medicines or tonics. II She is sick or
dropping it is not out Of place to en-
deavor to assist her TO recover health
with tonic, but as long as her comb
is bright and red, and she scratches
and works vigorously, enjoying her
food and laying eggs as fast as nature
permits, the use of stimulants and
tonies will not benefit her, or enable
her to lay another egg more than she
would do without their use, even il
they do not injure her.
1t is useless to force a hen in any
manner. Forcing always makes them
too fat. The hens may lay well
for short time, but will soon
cease, because too much pushing
throws them out of condition.
There is but one really good method
OF forcing hen to lay, and that is by
forcing her to scratch, and work for
her food She should have all she re-
quires, but should earn it by hard
work. Let her seek every grain. Keep
her busy from early morn until night
BY this method you will force her to
have good appetite, force her TO keep
warm. force her TO throw off disease
force her to rest well on the roost, and
in that manner force her to lay. -Poul-
try Keeper.