The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-03-13


feed consists of oats and corn fed in
the pen litter as in the morning.
How Much to Feed-No absolute
rule can be laid down as to the amount
of feed to give laying hens. A plan
which has been very satisfactory with
the station flock is to feed one pint of
wheat to each pen of twenty hens in
the morning and one pint Of oats
with all the corn on the cob they will
eat for the evening feed. At noon
they are given all the mash they will
eat up clean. AS the grain is meas.
ured out to them and the amount is
therefore somewhat arbitrary, the
birds are allowed to eat up all they
want of the mash. The mash thus
acts as regulator on the appetite of
the birds. The fowls are forced to
scratch for the grain feeds thus giving
them the needed exercise which is
conducive to an active existence. Good
judgment on the part of the feeder
must be used at all times.
Selection Of Stock.
"Breed selection-No one breed of
fowls can be recommended as best for
North Dakota or any particular local
ity within the state. And yet, be-
lieve, that the most profitable farmers
fowl is one of the general purpose type
or fowl that combines both the egg
and meat producing qualities. The Sc
lection of one of the varieties of the
Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte or Rhode
Island Red breeds will be found salts
factory. AS to choice of the particu-
lar variety within the breed, individ-
ual tastes differ, but whether the birds
shall he black or white, solid colored
or ral ticolored, is not material con-
siGeration from the standpoint Of eco.
nomical production.
Selection of Breeding Stock-The
common pre- ctice, as followed in the
average farmyard, of using the entire
fock as breeding stock has little to
commend it. Eggs from all of the
birds. good and poor alike, are used
for Matching purposes. The logical re-
suit of this practice is that you bring
the size, weight, health and stamina
tie average specimen of your flock.
AS far as improvement in the flock is
concerned you remain either at a
standstill or else deterioration takes
place. Use no understood, Immature
Or anything but the NEST healthy
spechaasn In the breeding flock. Select
breed that suits you and above all
don't mix the breeds. If you have a
grade flock and do not care to part
with it use pure-bred males of some
good breed each year and stick to that
breed. Be careful of too close in
breeding, and to the farmer whose
flock runs at large would advise
against the use of cockerels Of his own
breeding or the use of the same males
two years in succession. If these few
simple rules are observed you will
raise better fowls of greater stamina,
better health, larger size and increas.
ed fecundity.
General Management.
''No f1ocks of fowls will care for
themselves and produce profit. The
personal equation enters largely into
the poultry business and much of the
success of the poultryman depends on
care and attention to details. A de-
votion to all phases of the work is
essential to the best success. Punctu-
atty as regards the time of feeding;
keeping the house properly ventilated
and thus having the walls and ceilings
dry at all times; observing a rigid
cleanliness in the pens by placing
dropping boards under the roosts;
using ashes or sand on the dropping
board, thus absorbing all disagree
able odors so detrimental to the
health of closely housed fowls; these
are some of the essential features of
successful poultry raising. An inva-
sion Of parasites. such as lice or mites
must he continually guarded against.
If dust baths are provided and ordi-
nary cleanliness observed the healthy
hen will keep rid of body lice. A
yearly application of germicide on the
whole interior OF the house with an
occasional one Of kerosene on the
roosts and nests are excellent prevent
ives dSdlllSl lice duu NllIcS. Ill Iu0
carrying out of all of these details the
paramount object of the caretaker
should be to strive for the best health
and comfort of his fowls. They will
surely repay him in an overtlowing
egg basket.
The rearing of poultry in North
Dakota is comparatively new in
dustry in new state. If it keeps pace
with the other industries of the state
it will need a wider dissemination of
the knowledge of better housing, bet
ter feeding, better stock and better
management. The North Dakota State
Poultry association and the farm pa
pers are doing notable work in ed
ucating their patrons and readers on
more efficient methods and practices
in growing poultry. Your own Agri-
cultural College and Experiment sta
ton stands ready at all times to do
what it can in the furtherance of the
poultry interests of the state. AS far
oc n 1ios in o,r n0wor tn do en- ony