Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-28
RAISING POULTRY.

rarmers. as a general rule. regard the
poultry on their farms as very fnsigntn-
cant part OF their livestock; yet statistics
carefully gathered go 10 show that not
withstanding fowls receive ordinarily out
little care, and IN many instances are LETT
70 shift for themselves. the poultry and
egg crop constitute one Of the most use
ful and important products OF American
agriculture. II proper attention were Civ
en- this branch OF our industry on the
multitude OF farms throughout the United
States, Il would be hard 10 estimate the
value OF the poultry business 10 the
farmers OF this country.
II the farmers OF the south strived as
hard 70 make a success OF raising GER
tain number OF chickens and eggs each
year as they do to raise a certain number
OF bales or cotton 20 the pillow, they would
be far more independent and would live
much better than they now do A little
care and attention VIII 80 long way to-
wards making a success OF the poultry
business in a small way on each farm, be-
cause chickens. II furnished with range,
Hfll pick up enough food about the prem
ises 10 sustain themselves. which no other
animal about the farm Is capable OF doing.
II Is a big mistake TO think that fowls
must be fed at stated periods Of the day
on certain kinds OF foods recommended so
highly in the poultry journals. With a
and a small quantity OF corn. or wheat,
fed TO the fowls late in the afternoon TO
keep them gentle. and that they may go
70 roost with a full craw Is all that Is
needful so far as food IS concerned, with
a small flock OF 8 TO % fowls. The trou-
bic Is not so much in an absence Of a
wholesome diet, as fiji Is in exercising
little timely care in properly looking az
ter the poultry houses and the hens while
sitting and raising the broods OF little
chickens.
Some Useful Hints.
At this period OF the year and on into
early summer when the hens are laying
and Matching. am constantly in receipt
OF inquiries for information how best TO
prevent the spread OF mites and lice. or
asking for remedies 10 check different
kinds Of contagious diseases among the
poultry. We wait until the trouble Is on
Us before looking about for remedies or
TO put into practical operation preventive
measures. The time for action Is before
the insects and diseases appear. Steps
should be taken early TO prevent their
appearance at any period OF the year.
Every person who undertakes the care
OF fowls should understand that cleanli-
ness about the poultry house. nests and
yards. is an absolute preventive against
the attacks Of insects or contagious dis
entrances into q nice. clean. whitewashed
poultry house, unless they are imported
from a distance. While a hen Is setting
~ = broken or decayed egg Is allowed 10
remain in an unclean nest. Is may be the
cause OF propagating q million mites in a
single week. When once the trouble
starts Il requires active, vigorous work
20 check #
The same thing Is true OF lice. which
multiply rapidly and soon get foothOld
On The entire flock Cholera. roup. gapes
sorehead and other contagious diseases
are all caused primarily BY unclean poul-
Try yards. or badly ventilated poultry
houses. There Is nothing more detrimen-
tai 70 the flock than lice. they are the
greatest obstacle 10 be overcome in sue
cessful poultry raising. The houses can
be kept absolutely free from both lice and
mites by liberal use OF kerosene emuI-
sion and wtitewash. Change the old nests
after each Matching. whitewash the boxes
inside and out. and place in a new nest
OF clean. dry straw. rub over the roost
poles occasionally with a solution OF kero-
sene oil. and whitewash and dust the
fowls with insect powder II any lice or
mites are found on them When the little