The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-01-21
sarirrliurs.


JUS, a, the time when eggs arc 4, >
high 6guFr we mus, save them i We
would have early chicks and early
chicks we must have II We wish 10
have hroilcrs on tho market when they
bring highest p ices. With the ap.
proaeh Of spring comes demand for
broilers, and to have chicks OF the ap
proved sire, those weighing one o. two
pounds being preferred, eggs must be
placed 10 the incubator about the mid.
die Of February, The FIRST two weeks
Of the chicks life is the most critical
period. and il requires constant care.
With the use Of modern breeders the
difficulties arc minimized, but many
farmers-p perhaps the greater number
have not this advantage, relying on
hen and coop, and they must guard
against dampness, vermin and disease.
As soon as the chicks are hatched, ex.
anime them, particularly the head and
throat, for large lice, which would
soon kill them. Grease with sulphur
and lard, the hens AS well as chicks.
The food for several days should con.
sist of finely crumbled bread soaked in
milk. As the chicks grow they may
be fed bran, milk, ground oats and oats
finely chopped. A supply of grit is
essential to perfect digestion, and pure.
fresh water should always be KEEP, at
each coop or run. In damp weather,
if the chicks are allowed to run about
Unfortunately they will probably be
affected with gapes. The cause is a
small red parasite which fastens itself
in the throat, and if this is removed the
chick usually RECEIVERS, For roup there
is no effective remedy, and the safest
course is TO kill all affected fowls,
thoroughly disinfeet the houses with
acid, then scatter lime thickly
over the entire yard.
With broilers, the chief object is to
bring the chicks to the requisite size in
as short time and with as little ex-
pense as possible. To accomplish this
requires good judgment and constant
attention to details, without which no
one can hope for success A growing
young chick is very difficult to fatten.
He will grow rapidly. but that is not
al we wish. We want him to lay on
at.
Large chickens are not in demand for
oroilers; consequently every ounce
,bove two pounds is SO much superflu-
JUS weight, often an actual loss to the
grower. We want the chickens to ac-
fat, and our energies should
,e concentrated to the accomplishment
# this object.
First, it is well to separate the pull
cts from the cockercls, as it is mainly
he latter which are to be used for
rollers. The principal food is now
orn, with occasional meals of oats or
'ther grain and meat scraps. Give
nly enough exercise to keep them in
,ood health. About two weeks before
he time for killing confine in small
oops and feed as much corn as will
e eaten. In two weeks they should
e in excellent condition for market. 9
Now, the pullets There is no bet
,r time to select your winter layers.
moose only strong, healthy pullets of
God shape and bright, glossy plum
&c. Keep only the best; dispose of
very fowl that is not up to certain
efinite standard. Unlimited range
lonld, if possible, be given them. If
icy are confined in yards, scatter straw
: leaves about, and in this scatter
eir food. Give cabbage, beets and
lrrots until grass is abundant.
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