Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-06-14
THE HENNERY

Not satisfied with having whipsawed
everybody on the beef proposition, the
Big Four has gone bodily in the bust
ness of cornering all the hen-fruit in
the country and the struggle for con-
troll has become the fiercest in the
whole range of farm products. Every
corner of the western states is being
searched for eggs by agents for Swift
& Co, Armour & Co. and a few smaller
dealers who have capital enough to en-
able them TO compete with the Big
Four. AS a result of this competition
prices paid to farmers are rapidly adj
vancing and every indication points TO
unprecedented high prices for cold
storage eggs next winter.
There is q pretty sure method of Sc
curing winter layers adopted by many
Of the progressive poultry raisers: 1t
is to raise early chicks. The pullets
of these early broods, if of egg produc-
ing strains. or breeds. will be sure to
commence laying in the fall and If vel,
fed and properly housed they will
make winter layers that can be relied
upon. The basis of this egg production
is much surer than to depend on the
old stock of hens which to a greater
vi tess 6AltuI are uncertain HUH VAIL
GUS causes The time to arrange for
the active work of a business is in adj
vance of the time anticipated. No mat
ter whether one intends to exert an
effort for eggs from old hens or pullets,
now is the time to arrange plans. Ger
tainly this is true If pullets are to be
laying mex winter.
An ingenious fellow has succeeded in
breeding the feathers off the legs of
brahmas and other asiatic chickens.
AS these feathers were useless and I'M
slightly it will be a great improvement
to have them off. Light brahmas are
one of the oldest and most d~eservedly
popular of all breeds of fowls. They
are the largest of all, very handsome
in appearance, vigorous and hardy.
They are excellent winter layers. pro-
ducing eggs at a time when prices are
highest. The hens are good sitters and
mothers, while the chicks are strong
from the first, good growers and easily
raised. The buff and partridge cochins
have been practically taken out of the
ranks of utility breeds by forcing them
as feather producers and of late there
seems to be a tendency of some light
brahma breeders to follow in the same
line. The feathers on the feet and legs
serve M good purpose and are objec-
tionable from a practicaI standpoint
because they accumulate filth and pre-
sent an unsightly appearance upon the
dressed ~carcasses.
Sitting hens are valuable at this sea-
sol III they can be controlled but when
given their w way they are not
urnrtb nnuah Thnu arn likolu m Want
to sit in an undesirapIe place or where
they will be disturbed by laying hens.
When a hen becomes broody give her a
few days t get established, as the
small boy said of the balky horse. She
may then be moved to a place where
there will he no disturbing influences.
Arrange a clean, coy nest in one cor
ner of a tight. rOomy brood coop, with
board floor. See that the nest is neat
fitting. neither too large nor too small.
Do not disgust the old hen by giving
her a fiat, shallow nest. If she is quiet
and sensible. put the usual number of
eggs in the nest and fasten her in the
coop. When she sizes up the nest and
its contents the chances are ten TO one
she will settle down comfortably TO
business. Sometimes ii is best TO give
the young, giddy hen a few china nest
eggs to keep warm until she thorough
ly understands what is expected of
her. Some poultry raisers keep broody
hens confined to the coop during the
entire period of incubation, providing
them with food and drink and busting
them occasionally with insect powder.
Confining the hens so close is not good
for them. 1t is best to give them liber-
ty after the first few days-looking
after them, for they are likely to re-
turn to the former nest the first time
or two. One poultry raiser makes sure
by tying them TO the coops by a long
string. 1t is a very satisfactory plan
to give the sitting hens liberty every
evening. Then after they nave return
ed to the nests shut them away from
all intruders. II is never profitable and
usually an ~aggravation to allow sitting
and laying hens to occupy the same do
main.