Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-02-23
Confinement In Winter.

Many breeders-possibly the majority
argue that fowls should be kept close
ly indoors after the arrival Of settled
cold weather. Hens allowed to get cold
feet and to eat snow, they affirm, will be
subject to colds and distemper, and will
not lay. So although they may open
wide the DOORS and windows Of their
houses in >severest weather through the
day, or even provide the roosting quar-
ters with thin cloth curtain as the only
shield from the outer cold, they care
fully refrain from allowing their birds to
set foot outdoors.
The experience of the writer tends to
show that this is not only an erroneous
idea, except in case Of situations ex-
posed to cold winds or lacking the
warmth Of the sun, but that frequent
access to the open air, under proper con-
ditiopS, will prove an actual benefit to
the birds in the matter of health, and
though it may not directly serve to in
crease, will in no way detract from, the
egg yield.
For years past we have followed the
practice of shoveling bare narrow strip
in front of the houses after every snow
fall, and raising the slides daily at from
8 to II O'Clock A. M, according to the
state of the weather, leave the fowls
free to pass in or ont at pleasure for the
remainder of the day. We find that
they enjoy the privilege greatly, spend
ing much Of their time in the open air If
the day be sunny, and manifesting the
utmost uneasiness when for any reason,
such as inclement weather, their Gus
tomary outing is postponed or delayed.
Especially do they seem to take pleas
ure in digging up little fresh earth in
which to burrow in the unobstructed
rays of the sun, although the best of
busting facilities, according to our
knowledge, are available at all times on
the inside. They seem to have strong
craving too, at times, for snow or bits
of ice, and while we make it point to
furnish them with slightly warmed wa
ter long enough before letting outdoors
to enable them to drink their fill, after
this they are allowed to gobble up as
much snow or frozen stuff as they
please. In right cold weather they sell
dom venture much upon the snow, but
when it becomes the least bit thawy
they readily travel upon it for consider
able distances to reach any desired
point-far enough it is certain to get
"cold feet"-yet so far as We have been
able to determine never have We had a
case of roup or any diminution Of the
egg yield brought about in this way.
But We have had many bad cases of
roup develop among fowls kept con.
stantly indoors, and have frequently had
our best efforts fail to get eggs from
birds thus confined.
If at any time there is considerable
interval between storms, we gradually
widen the barred area until q generous
portion of the runs is made available for
the birds. 1t requires but little time,
rs the sun will materially assist in tho
work, and will we'll repay the necessary
abor in the greater number of fowls
that may be kept to given housing
space, If in no other way. We are salts |
fed, however, that it is an advantage in
various other ways, and should dislike
10 deny our birds, as they certainly
would dislike to be denied of, their al
most daily privilege of going outdoors
John L. Woodbury., York County, in
Maine Farmer.