Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-11
PROFITABLE POULTRY.
How Your Flock Can Be Made So In
the Winter Season.

the Winter Season.
The profit OF the poultry in the win
ter depends on the number of eggs
gathered. So the farmer should pro
vide the winter quarters for his hens
with this end in view. and it will
really cost but little If anything more
to do so.
To get eggs IN the winter. summer
conditions must be produced as far as
possible. The poultry house should
be located on a high and dry spot. II
the floor is OF dirt il must be more
elevated than the outside surface 10
prevent dampness. The door should
open 60 the south. and it viii be best
II the whole south side OF the house
can be opened for ventilation when
ever desired. Some poultrymen have
several sliding windows in the south
which can be easily pushed back in
warm weather and closed during
stormy days. These serve also to let
Ia the sunlight. and a sun bath is very
essential to the health Of the hens.
The windows should be low enough
to let the sunlight fall on the floor. so
the hens may get the full benefit OF 1t.
One successful poultryman hung bur
lap curtains close around his hen
roosts. pulled them down at night in
cold weather and rolled them up in
the daytime. He declared the curtains
20 be very satisfactory. as the hens
shell out the eggs and are healthy.
When the curtains were lowered at
night he opens the windows to let in
the fresh air unless if is extremely
cold There is no doubt but that a
ughtly-closed room viii be disastrous
to the flock. for hens. like men, must
have fresh air to be healthful.
The winter feed for hens should be
Ike that they get In the summer. A
small feed from the owner TO which
is added weed seed, bugs. flies. worms,
sprigs OF grass and grains of gravel.
is about the variety a hen gathers
during a summers day. With this she
gets plenty OF exercise. In the winter
the hen cannot get this variety OF
feed herself. SO il must be provided by
the poultryman. Green cut bones OF
beef scraps will take the place of in
sects. only care must be taken not 10
feed too much Feed grain in a deep
litter Of leaves or straw and plenty
OF exercise will be obtained in
scratching for %. Oyster shells should
be kept where the hens may help
themselves. for they must have lime
for egg shells. a box with four
apartments. one each for beef scraps.
oyster shells. grit and charcoal should
be in easy reach of the hens. There
is no better bowel regulator than char
coal. and the hen should never be
without a.
OF course there are no set rules
for feeding grain that viii prove sue
cessful in every instance. says Far
mers Review one must use his
best judgment and feed according
10 breed OF fowls. conditions and
prices OF grain. Some have found
n hot mash for morning. noon and
night very profitable. while others sue
coed best by feeding grain There are
those who keep feed constantly before
their hens 90 a proht and others pre-
fer feeding what they will eat at stated
intervals. One must find the most
profitable method and stick 10 II in
spite OF what others may suggest. But
don't forget that green food OF some
kind should be supplied. Cabbage
leaves or red clover arc good and al
falfa is simply first class. Beets or
turnips chopped viii also be relished
The water supply should be copious
and palatablo. Provide IL every day.
and II the weather Is extremely cold
set the vessel containing il on a heated
rock and IL viii not freeze for 10 or
2 hours.
BY constant care OF the hens dur
ing the winter months the eggs VIII
fall into your basket and money into
your pocket