The Burke County news. [volume] (Morganton, N.C.) 1899-1901, 1899-01-27
X AGRICULTURAL *
Handling Poultry.

Handling Poultry.
. Ny experience in chicken growing
has demonstrated that q flock of good
laying hens will pay all expenses and
produce not less than one dollar each
every year.
The flock consists principally of
Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks, most
of the former being non-s itters, whilo
the latter are excellent Breeders.
During the past season the non-sit-
ting LeShorns have averaged one hun
dred eggs each in four months. The
sitters have raised about ten chicks
each. by doubling up the broods at
Matching time and giving one hen the
chicks from two nests. When the
melting season is over the old hens
and pullets will begin to lay and con
tinue during the winter and spring,
when eggs are most desirable and have
the greatest value. Fifteen dozen
eggs each may be expected annually
from the Leghorns, and I have some
that lay eighteen dozen in twelve
months. I am adding the black Min
orcas, when the chicken yard will be
complete except probably a few Of the
larger varieties for table use. The
eggs of these fowls are not 50 salable
in some of tho older Eastern cities,
because small and white, but Western
miuers. who consume most Of our
eggs. are not so particular.
The chicken coops are made be-
meath o Western hay shed, which is
bnilt by setting posts ten feet apart,
placing s%tringers on top and laying
poles across. upon which the hay is
stacked. The entire shed or corral is
enclosed by boarding up and down
with slabs, and is divided into five
sections, occupying the space OF
twenty feet square Tor each coop or
pom. All the roosts are in tho center
coop aud are made Of small, green
oak poles reaching mp to within two
feet Of tho roof, which is eight feet
from the ground. Instead Of having
u single s'aut with poles nailed on
every two feet, Ihavc the roosts in the
Shape Of a wido hay rack or double
feed stall, slaulins both ways, with
poles every two feet. cnl somo be-
tween tue top noiches. In this way I
get all the young chicks to their
pcrches long before the mothers leave
them, aud give plenty Of room fo- ell
to rooSs on the top poles.
For a flock Of fifty old hens anl
three months chicks I feed three
quarts Of grain Or six quarts Of bran
and milk a day, dividing the ration
into two, aud giving one feed G: 7
o'clock in the morning, the othe- a. 5
in the afternoon. This proportion is
increased OF diminished according to
the number Of fccks, but tho feed is
always given with perfect regularity.
The fowls have au unlimited range but
occupy about five acres, which consists
of an oak grove. alfalfa patch aud stub
BILE field. Fresh water is given ones
o day. but the troughs or bitches are
never empty except in cleaning.
Laying hens and young chicks
eSgsa arc wanted. I have o broodiag
pen sixty feet square, fenced with lath
and wire combination, and connected
with the yards by a runway Of about
twenty feet. An old straw stack
stands IN the center, a pond Of fresh
water. fed by 4 trough, occupies one
corner. while a tight shed covered with
limbs and straw fills another corner.
The chickens are all securely housed
al night and on rainy davs.-Johr
Shoemaker, IL the New England Home
stead.
l,nDrOyeh Phil I,r Pam ,o, No..