Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-08-18
THE POULTRY YARD.
Production aud Cost-IInrd Grains Al,
the Best.


the Best.
In experiments made with several
breeds il was found that results varie
according 10 size and breed. The Dorl-
ings laid 1870 eggs per year, the aver
age weight of the eggs being two
ounces, or eight to the pound. This
gives 16 IA pounds of eggs per year.
The food eaten per day was six ounces
or nearly 1877 pounds for the year Thi
was heavy feeding, and consisted c.
variety Of grain and grass, being over
pound OF food for each egg apparent
ly, but IL must be considered that 2
large portion Of the food was directed
to growth, as the record was kept from
the first six months of age TO one year
and one-half. And the birds were also
kept over winter, when large amount
or food was directed to heat The pro-
duction Of eggs was good. but as the
birds were forced the cost was excess
I've, though the cocks had made ten
pounds growth when six months old
The only advantage in feeding soft
food is that in such shape the corn
meal condition powder, medicine,
cooked meat, or general mixture may
be more easily fed, but the best food
is whole grains. Hens will not pre-
fer soft food If they can get hard
grains unless it be that the soft food
contains material OF which they are
in need. Early in the morning is the
best time for feeding soft food. as then
the hens can more quickly digest It
and appease their hunger but they
should go on the roosts at night With
their crops full OF hard grain. Fowls
often refuse grain when but one kind
only is allowed. This is because the
system demands something which the
grain does not supply, and change
is required. Whenever the hens re-
fuse to eat OF grain that they have
been receiving such as wheat, give
them oats, and if in cold weather give
corn, and it may he noticed that they
will eat as if very hungry. After
week or more they will want the old
kind again. For this reason-the ne
cessity Of a change-the food should
consist Of a variety, in order that all
The wants of the fowls may be salts
fed
II has been urged that very young
chicks should not be given water to
drink, and some claim that the chicks
do best under such treatment. The
giving of water depends upon how the
chicks are fed. If the food is soft it
will contain Sufficient water if the
weather is not very warm, or the
chicks subjected 10 a high degree Of
warmth-about 100 degrees-as the |
warmth will create thirst If hard food |
only is given the chicks must nave
water, or the food cannot be digested !
and assimilated. Before the food can
noUrish the system it must be convert |
oi into blood, and as blood is com
posed largely Of water the water must
be provided. either as drink or in the |
soft food. 1t is also claimed tia
chicks do best when they are allowed |
no water. but this claim rests upon
The feet that in the majority Of cases |
the water is given in such a manncr |
as 20 cause them to get dams which |
Is more injurious than anything else
If chicks are given all the water the-
can drink, but in a vessel so arranged |
that they can get at the water witch |
their beaks only, they will thrive.
BY watching the guineas the hens |
will always make known their hiding |
places after laying, as they are noisy. |
They should not be allowed 10 hatch |
and raise their own young. as they |
get them too wild and untamable |
When the eggs are not taken from the |
nests the result is sometimes a loss. |
as foxes. minks. and snakes may Sc
cure them. Guneas should be fed at |
the barnyard every evening in order |
TO induce them to come mp at night.
There should always be a disparity |
in the ages Of the males and females |
If possible. When cockere1s and pull |
lets are mated the eggs do not hatch |
we'll at first The rule is to mate cock
eres with hens. an cocks birds over |
one year old with pullets. A two
year-old drake should always be with
Young ducks, while the mating of geese
OF The same age, when they are young,
usually results in failure. The keep
ing Of young gobblers should be done
away with, as a two-year-old male.
with yearling hens, gives stronger
young ones.