The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-01-15

mentioned the useful qualities of their
fowls In their advertisements. or circu.
lars, now the number has doubled II
shows that there is a fast growing de.
mand for the useful as we'll as the
ornamental in birds. 1t is possible for
us to run off after too pure a feather
and get ourselves into trouble. bv sac
rlhclng the useful qualities of our birds
80 let us get together and breed the
useIuI BIRD as well as the exhibition
olrd and the farmer will have no
trouble finding his utility birds in
some pure bred kind instead of say
Ing mixed chickens pay the best.
A dropping board under the roosts
is a great labor saver
10 become convinced of the amount
OF good there is in trap nests, one must
use them. 1t enables him to get into
| touch with the individual hen, ascer-
tain her good and bad qualities and
satisfy himself of her general condit-
ion
Beginners sometimes have trouble
in regulating the moisture in their in
cubators. 1t is pretty hard to be gov
erned by any set rule. Eggs of diff
ferent breeds of fowls vary in thick.
ness of shell. Then the construction
OF the machine has much to do with
the necessary amount of moisture.
1t is highly important that the poul-
tryman knows the egg laid by each
hen In his flock. This is practically
impossible without the aid of the trap
nest. If the breeder who has never
given the trap nest a trial would SER
1ously consider the subject he would
see the many advantages to be derived
from it's use.
If we would have hens lay they must
have good care. The dust bath is so
cheap, within the reach of every one,
yet often withheld. If it has not been
provided this year fair substitute is
coal ashes. In any case the ashes are
all right, the hens enjoying picking
out the cinders after they have had
their dust bath and though good grit
is always at hand.
Trap nests are opening the eyes of
a great many to possibilities not yet
thought of in poultry culture and the
future is bright with prospects for
those who will take up poultry rails
ing and put into practice the principles
of breeding which have been the means
of the wonderful improvement seen
today in the best specimens of pure
bred horses and cattle.
Perches in the poultry house should
be far enough away from the doors
and windows so that the fowls will
not be subjected to draught. 1t is
always we'll to have a curtain at
tached to the ceiling above the perch
es, which can be let down in front of
the fowls on extra cold nights. With
dropping boards under the perches the
bodies of the fowls will keep the roost
ing apartments warm on the bitterest
cold night. But, the fowls must not
be kept too warm on warm nights.
Variety in food should be provided
for. Apple or potato parings, cabbage,
beets, almost any vegetable which is
relished raw or cooked, is beneficial.
A friend has quantity of pumpkins
brought into her cellar each autumn
just for the chickens. And how they
do devour the raw pieces. Nothing
but rind is left. If poultry and garden
have not line of separation it is not
advisable to give too much of this
vegetable product in it's natural form.
Better cook the potato parings than
have the chickens gain such an appe-
tite for the raw Feelings that they will
dig the potatoes for you next summer
1t is nice exercise for the chicken to
jump at the cabbage suspended by a
string. But next summer you will not