Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-08-05
summer Care IN the Poultry YARD.

The summer care Of poultry lisa sub
jiect of SO little importance to many
new poultry keepers, that they are very
apt TO neglect it. 1t seems as though
the hot, searching days fairly wilt the
ambition Of the otherwise wide-awake
person, and much is 'put off until to-
morrow thateshould have been done
today
Now II is just as important that
fowls feel comfortable in summer as ii
is aimed 10 have them in winter.
Not only should they he regularly
fed and watered, but partial shade
Should be provided the runs, for the
hot suns are depressing on the stock.
All foods Of heating nature-car-
bonaeeeus material should be praeti-
cllly cut cut of the bill of fare.
The houses should be freely venti-
lated at night-tn fact, the stock
should have open fronts to the houses
that they may get full benefit of the
pre-, fresh air.
Not only is II necessary that fresh
water be given, but care should he
taken that the drinking vessels are
KEEP; in the coolest spot possible.
All this advice, to a veteran, is San
old story, but 10 the new aspirant-
and there are many of them each year
lit is valuable information. The inn
portance of these small matters may
not be apparent at first, but the longer
ore isrengaged in poultry culture, the
more one sees the necessity of living
up to these rules.
Especially are the months of July
and August trying to the ardor of the
poultry keeper. The hot suns make
work burden; the louise question calls
for heroic action; the rusty look of the
fowls about going into mott is an eye
sore; the egg crop 10 noted for its limi-
tations; and the market price is almost
discouraginF. Are you a subject of the
"blues?n That is the time when you
are apt to get them.
But the enthusiastic, plucky, willing
worker will plod along, that the sea-
son will soon be here when the stock
will look better, will do better, and
when the prices for eggs will be more
tempting figure.
Green 'feed is another important
item. Short, tender grass, lettuce aud
radish leaves are not only relished,
but the very best kinds of green's to
give. OF course, the hest method is a
range over good pasture, but poul-
trymen do not always have that adj
vantage TO give Their fowls.
There is more or less dry weather
during the summer, and the runs not
infrequently become baked, and in
heavy soils more or less filthy. The
man WHO has the best int est of his
stock at heart, will use hand pillow
in such yards and stir up the soil so
a. to make it loose and fresh. II he
does this at night, the next morning
tAe fowls will get at work, scratching
huntidg worms, and stirring up things
generally. 1t is wonderfully how much
they find in this turned up soil that
furnishes them both amusement and
food
1t should be the rule that nothing is
= l., In hot
moi be eaten up quickly by the fowls.
To make the runs dumping place
for slop, soon furnishes the stock with
a lot of sour, tainted stuff that is sure
to create sickness. We never believed
in feeding sour Stop to our pigs, and
certainly would net to poultry.
After breeding season, the wise
poultry men remove the male birds
from the flocks. The eggs will keep
much longer if Rot fertilized, and the
hens will be able to shed their feathers
better if not harassed by the males. 1
b elieve in separating the sexes in July
and not remating before the, first of the
following year. 1t means strong er,
better and more vigorous stock
Poultry that is well kept during the
summer will be in good condition for
winter work. Broody hens will be
more or less frequent curing the heat
ell term, and here | wish to caution
about using harsh method in break
ing them up of this broodiEess. This
instinct believe, is natures provision
for giving rest to the hens, and the
must humane methods should be en-
ployed 10 curtail that period. a good
plan is TO put all the broedies in a sep
arate run and house in which there
are no nests. Another plan is TO place
each bird in separate cage. A week