St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-06


the most difficult to systematic or to
intrust to the hands of hired labor.
The coops or outdoor breeders
should be well scattered about. as it
is not good for large flocks of young
chicks to run together Moreover,
young chicks must be protected in
their feeding quarters from the pres
ence of old fowls, which in their greed
to get at the food meant for the little
fellows will run over and trample
them. On the farm this is most easily
arranged by having the food for chicks
in a slat coop. which keeps out the
grown fowls.
May.
May like April, is a month in which
the hens take care of themselves. The
Matching of the larger breeds should
be finished the early part of this
month. Hens of all breeds will insist
upon wishing to brood. but can be
broken up by penning them in an out
door coop for a few days. Little
chicks will require a great deal of
care, and when thunderShoWerS come
up some one must hasten out, fire.
Quently in the rain. and see that the
foolish hens and frightened brooder
chicks get under shelter and do not
crouch up in some fence corner. If
perchance some have been forgotten
one should make a thorough search
as soon as the shower is over and
bring all soaked chicks into the house
to dry Those found down fiat on
their backs and apparently dead, if
rescued soon enough and wrapped in
wooden rags and placed around the
stove, will revive in a most astonish
ing fashion
The Matching of Leghorns should be
brought to a close during the early
part of this month and all male birds
taken from the yards. The growing
chicks will now be old enough to need
less care. and the chief source of the
poultryman's loss will be due to his
carelessness in leaving coops unpro-
tected from ''varmints."
Lice and mites will now begin to
invade the poultryman's camp more
abundantly. and with the approach of
the warm weather more cleanliness in
feeding vessels and about the house
will be necessary.
During June crops should be sown
to supply green food in the midsum-
mer, when the grass and spring sown
crops-dry up.
July.
The poultryman's work is consider
ably relieved during July. Indeed
this is the best season of the year for
him to leave the chicken farm to
the hired man and visit his kinfolk
Cleanliness to keep down disease and
lice and care in gathering the eggs fire.
quently and marketing them promptly
are the chief points worthy of men
ton.
Early broilers will be ready for mar
ket during this month.
August.
In August we have the same prob
lens as the previous month Be sure
+ the hens have abundant water and
green food. The egg yield should
show a considerable increase over
July The male birds of the heavier
breeds should now be got into shape
for market, The poultry breeder
should take careful observation of his
the most vigorous youngsters to be re
served, from which to pick the breed
ing stock. More green crops should
now be sown for the fall pasturage.
All two-year- hens and, if you have
abundant pullets. portion of the year
ling hens may now be sent to market
September.
Eggs are now advancing in price. but
it is neither right nor. in the long run,
profitable to hold them. Sell all eggs
promptly and try to get recognition for
your honesty and quality of your prod
uct. Young male birds. especially Leg
horns. should be separated from the
pullets. The coops or colony houses
in which the young pullets have grown
should be gradually moved toward the
house which is to be the winter quar-
tiers and the pullets got into the habit
of roosting in the laying house. Nice
secluded nests should be arranged. as
few precocious pullets will begin lay
ing in this month. Sow wheat and rye
for winter green foods.
October.
Pullets will now begin laying in con-
siderable numbers. If you have fancy
trade keep their eggs, which are small.
separated from the larger stock. Any
remaining old hens that are not to be
kept through the winter should be dis
posed of. Runty pullets and all young
male birds not needed for breeding
stock should also be sent to market.
November.
This month should find the laying
flock nicely installed in their winter
quarters. November eggs are high in
price and scarcer than at any other
time during the year. The poultry
fancier will now select his birds and
get them ready for the shows. AS the
nights grow colder use judgment in
closing up the poultry house. If it is