The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-08-17
CHICKENS

After the chicks have reached an age
when they have feathered sufficiently to
stand the weather-an age that enables
them to run from danger, or, in other
words, when they can be classed as pull
lets and cockerels-at this age best re-
suits are now obtained by giving the
youngsters as much run as possible. In
limited range is the ideal condition to
raise the young stock. Wire on that
pol tion of the grounds devoted to flow
ers or house garden and then let the
stock go and come as they please over
the balance. Give them their liberty
until fall, when, as natured hens, they
should all be placed in the laying house
and worked for winter eggs.
The method of housing the youngsters.
or rather the method conceded TO give
best results, is that in which the colony
house system is used. This consists in
using small houses six feet long, two and
one-half feet high and two and one half
feet deep These are scattered about the
orchard or field in number according to
the size of the flock, and in them should
not be placed more than will fill the
coop comfortably. Build another house
in preference to crowding These houses
should be placed about 80 feet apart, and
when the chickens are first placed On
them they should be confined for few
days, so liter that they will know where
to go at night. AT first there may be a
little confusion or crowding, but after a
week or so the youngsters will know 10
which flock they belong
Get them on the roost as soon as pos
sible. For this reason construct the
first roost near the ground and as they
become accustomed to it then increase
the distance. They will gradually take
to the roost without your help, but mat
tiers can be FASTENED by pIac1.tg one or
two hens in each coop. The best plan is
to make them bottomless, which does
away with the necessity Of cleaning the
droppings out, and If the coops are
moved about often the field will be we'll
MANFRED in a short time. If the colony
houses are a temporary affair anything
Will answer, providing it will make
good shelter. If permanent a little pains
should be taken in its constructing. In
either case have it so there will he no
difficulty in moving it about The brood
er can be used providing the fixtures
can be removed and it is large enough to
make it worth the while.
Some plants build their colonv houeas
as large as an ordinary size coop and
placed on runners. These, like the
smaller ones, are scattered about the
place in the spring and in the fall are
drawn up in a row and then act also as
the laying house.
Let the coop be well ventilated and
there Is no better way than making the
entire front open; protecting this OMEN
ing ythe use of wire.
There is many flock raised from the |
baby chick to the matured fowl which |
had never seen the outside of run and
more than likely skimped one at that, |
and yet develop into fowls worth having
1t is real ed that good many are work |
ing under this condition, Dui those that |
are don't expect good results unless they |
duplicate as near as possible the cond- |
lions that the chicken on a free range |
has. 1t will take a little longer for the |
fowl to mature and it is a question if it |
will not be a trife lower in vitality than |
Che one raised on free ranges
.or those who have raIlen saort of the |
required number to replace the older |
stock for the lateness of the season or |
D"u Ho'NHSS II NDulu ne better TO walt L
until August or September and then |
make up the required number by pur-
chasing pullets, as setting now is not |
likely to be productive until late winter |
colony house placed on the edge OF
corn field is an ideal location. The
corn gives the necessary shelter and also
an incentive to scratch
Don't give the flock the liberty of the
iol1 ,,,,fi , n
to be out of danger.
Four stakes driven into the ground.
these covered with bog. will give shade
to those confined in SIM O. NJ