The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-10-27
THE FULL EGG BASKET.
Modern Methods of Handling PouItr!
For ProhtabLe Egg Production.

Modern Methods of Handling Poultry
For Profitable Egg Production.
! From now on the problem that will
confront poultry growers is the ques-
ton of fresh laid eggs When property
housed and sheltered from the weather
+ in buildings that have dry floors that
are well covered with dry earth or sand
or litter and If well looked after the
hens should prove very profitable dur
ing the coming winter months in the
producing of fresh laid eggs. Where
you have a full supply of fresh laid
eggs you have evidence that the poul-
try Is we'll housed, fed and looked aft
er. Whenever there is a short crop or
failure in the production of fresh laid
eggs in winter it is prima facie evil
dence that the hens are either poorly
housed and cared for or else they do
not belong to a family of hens that are
good winter egg producers. The great
secret of success with the egg basket
during the winter months Is to have
hens that have been bred and reared
for the winter egg production and then
properly cared for and fed so that they
are able to produce the eggs that they
never will produce II the conditions are
not such as to foster good egg pro-
duction.
Too Much Ventilation.
One of the several drawbacks in
Z N1,n 81 To
eases that attack them at times, espe-
cially during the wet or inclement
parts of winter. A draft through the
house of a cold, wet night may in
fuence the health of poultry, even to
the extent OF closing many Of the eyes
of those that must roost in the draft.
Too much draft and too much ventila-
ton in poultry houses during winter is
very injurious. If the houses are clean
and the air of a healthy condition no
ventilation whatever is then needed.
especially at night. II the houses are
ventilated at all let this be by letting
down the windows at the top on the
side of the house next to the SUM- so
that the suns rays may come in
through the window. Where cloth or
muslin curtains are made use of there
is always sufficient circulation to fully
satisfy the demands Of the poultry
No Winter Outing For Fowls.
The very best winter egg yield is
gained by those who keep their poultry
confined continually in the henhouse
from the beginning of winter to the
coming of spring Thousands and
thousands of the most productive hens
are thus kept in houses built for the
purpose. For this nothing Is better
than the connected apartment poultry
house, all apartments being built I'M
der one roof, with divisions between
the separate colonies Of hens allowing
about $50 square feet Of floor space
to every thirty hens. In other words,
house that has floor space of 10 by
Is feet would furnish room enough
for thirty hens to prosper and do well
therein all winter providing there were
dry floors, dry interior and good thick
covering of dry sand or earth beneath
eight to twelve inches of litter. Such
house, If kept reasonably clean,
would provide a satisfactory, healthy
home for the hens through the winter,
even If they never had the opportunity
to go outside.
Egg Producing Foods.
For a single egg producing ration in
winter there is no grain better than
wheat. A mixture of good sound,
wholesome wheat and hulled oats
makes an almost perfect grain ration
for laying hens during the winter
months. When you cannot have hulled
oats use clipped oats If you can get
them. The less hull Of oats that hens
are compelled to grind and mastiCate
the better results will be obtained.
Ground green bone Is valuable because
it contains the raw meat, the gristle.
the marrow and the best quality Of egg
forming material in the bone itself 1t
is the best kind of animal food when
the price will permit Of its use.
The Question of Grit.
The question of grit does not have
nearly enough consideration. When
the ground freezes up and becomes COW
cred with snow 1t is impossible for
fowls to find sufficient grit to grind all
the food naturally for the formation
of eggs In winter. For this reason they
should have a plentiful supply of both
grit for grinding and oyster shell for
forming the egg shells.-Country Gen
tleman.
High Priced Feeding sheep.
Every prospect points to eastern