The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-10-06
SOME POULTRY TALK.

1t would be of interest to know how
many OF those who chance to read this
first paragraph know exactly the rela-
tive value of the foods given their
poultry-that is. as nearly exact as
it is possible to ascertain. Not in
poultry keeping is given little heed.
Some poultry raisers seem to think
that any feed is suitable for poultry.
and. acting upon that idea. purchase
for their fowls the cheapest food OBJ
tainable, cheap in quality as we'll as
in price. 1t will always pay to get
the best food for fowls. Under no
conditions should they be given Sec
ond grade or slightly spoiled food.
And another thing is to vary the ra-
ton. for the birds naturally become
tired of the same ration month after
month and season after season. and
they will more than repay YOU. Give
them AS great a variety Of food as
possible and balance the ration. BY
aid of the chemical analysis of foods
compound a ration from those avail
able. having each part in the proper
proportion. 1t will pay. and that we'll.
AS the space permits We would
write a line concerning the care of
setting hens with the readers par
don for changing the subject SO alb
ruptly).. Since the use of incubators
and breeders has become more gener-
al the instructions on Matching and
raising chicks has naturally turned to
them. But as yet the greatest num-
bers of chicks are Matched and reared
by the faithful hen. the way of nature
There are important requirements in
the care of setting hens. chief of which
will follow.
To begin with. the hens should have
suitable place. A shed having the
front protected with wire netting
makes an excellent place for them in
warm weather. Each hen should be
given nest of roomy proportions
Boxes about fifteen inches square and
seven or eight deep. the bottom be-
ing covered to a depth of several
inches with clean nesting material
(straw preferreO. serve very nicely
for this purpose. The nests should be
darkened SO as to prevent the hens
from becoming restless and as nat
ural consequence breaking the eggs
and leaving the nest When it is
practicable to do so. make small run
for each hen, for thereby all chances
of several hens crowding on the same
nest at one time are eliminated. At
this time of the season we consider
it advisable to give the hen fifteen
or sixteen eggs if she is of large size.
The hens should be let off the nest
and watered and fed at definite time
each day. A good plan is to do this
work toward the close of the day and
then after they have remained off the
nest a reasonable length of time they
will be forced to return because of the
approaching darkness. The hens
should have food in plenty and fresh
water should be applied. The dust
box is indispensable and also is good
grit.
1t is sometimes noted that poultry
breeders assume that heavy laying
depends more upon the breed of fowls
than upon correct breeding (which
necessitates, of course, an accurate
trap nest record) and proper care. We
wish to go on record as stating that
this is an entirely wrong conception.
INC last I"o AiCullOHcu LdClOIS are VI
vastly more Importance than the pre-
ceding one. To the beginner who is
undecided on what breed of fowls to
take up (the indecision being occa-
stoned by doubts regarding their rela-
tive laying qualities) we would advise
to select those which please his fancy
best, for if he intends to make much
progress in the fine poultry business
he must be deeply interested in his
work, and this interest can be brought
about by being surrounded by the most
pleasing and desirable conditions. If
he wishes to breed the same strain
for both fancy and market he may do
SO. With the market poultryman, how
| ever, the birds laying qualities mean