Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-07
MAKE PLANS NOW
FOR THE WINTER
Clean Up Your Plant and Get
Everything Tight Before Cool
Weather Arrives.
BY LYNN C. TOWNSEND.

poultryman's calendar At this time Of
the year his duties are manifold for be-
sides the regular routine Of work, he
must begin to prepare for winter. The
mouIt must be carried through success
fully and the birds gotten in shape for
the protection Of winter eggs. II in
business for the fancy end at all, the
future show birds must be put in shape
for this month usually marks the open
ing Of the fall poultry shows
Moulting although a natural pro-
cess. is very weakening on the fowls
vitality. and great care should be given
the birds at this time. While we do
not advocate starving" the birds to
force an early moult. yet the following
method may be found Of value If the
birds are fed on half rations for
short time at the beginning Of the
moult. and then feed heavily, the re-
suit viii be that they are fastened
through the process and are laying and
in good health while the ordinary fowl
is Just undergoing the process. Feed
the bird lightly for about two weeks,
This stops the egg production ana low
ers the weight. and then heavy feeding
will cause a quick moult and a general
upbuildng Of the system
At this time feed only that which
Is good for the formation Of feathers.
AS practically the same feed will pro-
duce8eggs. your pocSetbook should not
suffer in consequence. Wheat bone
meal and oats make excellent food for
the moulting fowls Sour milk and "A
generous supply of green food should
also be given. 1t is a good idea to re-
move the male bird from the pen dur
ing the moulting season.
Now Is Time To Clean Up.
Now is a good time to clean up and
get everything in readiness for winter
Lay in a plentiful supply of good dry
sand for the dust baths Give the
houses a thorough cleaning and fumi-
gate them well Get busy with the rake
and clean out the summers output Of
rubbish around the yards. Store away
all the breeders and Coops that you
are not using after giving them good
coating Of some strong disinfectant
IL "
to whitewash the houses. In addition
to being an enemy of lice and mites,
vhitewashed walls viii make the house
much more light and CHEEKY during the
dark winter days. Apply the white
wash with a sprayer, for then YOU will
be sure in reaching the creVces. Or
binary whitewash is made more effec-
tive by using carbOlic acid in connec-
tion with IT, Stake the lime in an old
tub with "A sufficient quantity of wa
ter to make a wash of the desired
consistency. adding little water at "a
time Then add fluid ounce of crude
carbolic acid to every bucket of water
Put it on hot ana get it into the cracks
by means Of a sprayer
II you expect to exhibit at the fail
shows, the specimens should be placed
in the training coops now. Handle the
birds as much as possible. so that they
will be perfectly tame when in the
show room. If you expect to exhibit
fowls that will need washing, you had
better begin TO practice. up now. Take
some dirty bird that isn't as valuable
as the show bird and try your hand at
washing him. While seemingly very
simple. the job isn't as easy as it
looks.
The winter quarters for the young
punets should be thoroughly overhaul
ed and whitewashed The pullets should
be moved from the colony coops to the
laying pens the last of this month. This
win enable them to get settled nicely
and in working order before winter be-
gins
Take Care of the Pullets.
If the pulIets are Matched in March
or April. they should be laying in Oc-
tober and then good care and food win
keep them laying steadily right through
winter. The food and especially the
care are the most important factors,
The first essential is in having the pens
cleaned up, whitewashed and every
thing in good working order Remem-
Der that the punets have been on free
range. and housing them up entirely re
verses the conditions. Keep the
scratching litter always on the floor
and change it whenever it becomes
musty or damp, Beware Of drouths and
the cold rain storms, for now the birds
win catch cold easily.
Feeding is an ever-interesting sub
ject and deserves more than passing
interest Next to variety of sound
wholesome grains ranks plenty of greer
food The feed bills can be greatly
lowered bv the free use Of green foods
hence the breeder who fails to supply
this want is certainly short sighted
Never feed musty or dirty feed, Get
the best, wheat corn or oats are the
staple foods, with meat and green food
as accessories The all-graln diet is
injurious; bulky material is needed tc
give variety Mix in any form is ac-
ceptable and Is greatly relshed by the
Notwithstanding Hen.