The Ordway new era., 1909-01-22
FARM NOTES


cacIlinp. That was fine old hen We
pulled oil her nest way down in WIS
consin. Now, when she lays that nne
nest OF eggs promised, We shall all be
interested. Brn. Ferlen is one OF our
old and valued citizens OF Ordway, and
a chapter of poultry news, from ones
own experience, is worth many books
on the subject
The average farmer-hen lays about
seventy eggs annually, in the months
Of June and May principally. These
sell for one dollar approximately. Not
bad showing when we consider these
mothers generally board themselves
and work for nothing like the busy
bee. The writer has been interested,
principally. in learning OF some
method by which the biddy can be in
duced to do this work in winter when
eggs are high, and also increase her
product TO 20 per annum. Mr.. Philo
tells Us the whole secret i in bringing
up your family ot chicks by evolution.
/. e., by seleCtiOn-by Matching your
brood only in winter, say February or
March. In short, biddy says MY
mother layed her eggs IN June and
raised her family in June, and that Is
good enough for me-" So IL Is all
habit, according TO Mr.. Philo. / am
not convinced. Some one says: in
the Spring young mans fancy,
Gently turns TO thoughts OF love.
Why not 20 with biddy: And then,
who knows but this spring distribu-
tion OF eggs is one Uf the immutable
laws Of divine economy: Otherwise
how could We hide our Easter eggs:
After warming our bodies all winter
from the blood Of bullocks and the
Fat OF rams" do We not need cheap
eggs for lighter spring diet, and are
we not striving against a great law of
nature in trying 10 reform this
domestic animal. and turn her golden
treasures into commercial channels
alone:
II my reader will pardon my digres-
sion, will now briefly summarize my
deductions from a months reading on
the subject OF Winter Laying"
First, Select your breed according
to your wants.. e.. eggs, meat, or
both-say Leghorn, Brahma or Rocks.
Second. Keep them religiously clean.
Third, Feed abundantly-a variety
Of foods.
Fourth, Thorough ventilation: south
side OF house canvas.
Fifth, Provide dry place for win
ter exercise: make them scratch for a
living in a foot Of dry straw.
Sixth, Keep them warm in winter.
This last i most important. Mr..
Philo does this by crowding them in
close quarters at might've hens to
every two feet on rOOst, and have
ceiling only few inches above their
heads. In this case the whole south
side Of roosting- box should be OF bur
lap, to insure good air. \ goods box
3x by feet high would accommodate
thirty to forty hens. The heat of the
body would insure freedom from trust
ed combs In our coolest weather. Our
most successful poultryman this win
ter is Mr.. AlbcrtsOn so far as / have
heard. His flock Of White Leghorns
has laid from twenty to forty eggs
daily, since December LIST. who has a
better record-from pullets Matched
in March and April?
But how am l to get March chicks?
The old hens won't set till April or
May. This drives US to the incubator.
and we must solve the problem
whether ii Is cheaper to buy one-day-
old chicks at ten cents each, or buy
metal mother. Rather think the
former method best for some OF US.
Next week we will have a talk
about hot-beds and cold-frames.
ID q RnUERTs