The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-15
Moulting Hens.

Country Gentleman.
This is the most enervating month OF the
year. All mankind and animal life. save the
many kinds of insects that feed on both,
are languid.
This month the feathers begin TO fall In
their annual moult, the renewal of which
demands fiber and blood. If well fed when
this begins. the fowls will moult the
quicker; the sooner the old feathers fall,
that much faster will the new ones grow.
A fowl that is poorly fed at moulting
time suffers during this period. In fact,
many die from lack of strength 70 sustain
the demand upon the system. Life, strength
and motive power must be provided for, as
we'll as the usual demand for food, 10
create the fiber and blood for the new
plumage. 1t is a we'll known fact that IL
fowls are almost starved for two weeks in
August and then fed on double %rations,
80 per cent. of them will finish their moult
early. If you will follow the same method
in May or June, they will shed their plum
age just the same. 1t is an old trick 10
allow hens that are desired 10 moult early
for fall shows to sit Tor four or I'VE weehs
during warm weather. During this period,
little food Is given. When removed from
the nest and put in other quarters and led
heavily, the feathers soon begin re iaI,
Confinement during Two weeks or not
weather in very warm houses on snort
ratlons will give the same results. -
To finish early Tor showing allow the
hens you wish To exhibit TO sit on the nest
when broOdy for two or three weeks: feed
short rations, remove the hens from the
nest, allow them full freedom FOR a week,
during which time feed them very strong;
at the end of this time give them thorough
washing in water as warm as your hands
will stand. When thoroughly dry, shut
them in a pen that is perfectly clean and
that has a clean sand floor; feed plenty
of rich, strong food. green food and grit
and never allow them TO run in the sun.
Have a small grass run for their use, but
have 1t well protected from the sun. y
number can be kept together. Usually sucn
treatment brings quick results.
Exhibition males may be aided IN their
moult, but IL is not so easy. Allow them TO
become very thin in flesh while living In an
open run, and gradually change TO a rich,
oily diet. When the male begins 10 I'M
prove, and his feathers begin TO drop or
loosen, give him a good wash in water as
hot as your hands will stand; when dry,
put into a darkened runway and feed well.
Try the tail and wing feathers every day
or two; aid their removal when loose; 90
not pull them violently. If the shedding
process does not begin in two weeks. give
him another hot bath. AS quickly as the
feathers begin to fall, lend your aid by re-
moving a few each day. We have seen
Brahmas shed out this way SO as TO be IN
new plumage Sep! i.
We notice that one man in New York can
raise 140 bushels of sunflower seed TO the
acre. We should that the whole
farm be turned into growing this crop,
which seldom sells for less than $l.JO per
bushel: and no kind of feed is so good for
fowls in moult, whether early or late. sun
flower seed is i'm good demand for feeding
fowls. and the man who can produce l4O
bushels to the acre could build proper nous
ing for drying and make a fortune.