Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-07-22

ers. The broiler trade ~ attractive, as
hotels, restaurants and clubs require
an almost unlimited supply of these
plump chickens about two months old
and weighing two to three pounds. To
make money reasonably fast one needs
two or more incubators and should
keep hens enough so that machine
can be filed In three to Eve days
There will be supply Of eggs to sell
each month, but the bulk Of them will
go into the production of poultry.
Observe the principles Of uniformity.
freshness, cleanliness Eggs for hatch
ing should be clean. II not clean they
should be washed In tepid water and
carefully dried with clean soft towel.
This washing does not injure the egg.
but It must be done quickly and care
fully or the Earring Of the contents
may ruin 1t for Matching. As fast as
the eggs are washed and dried they
should be covered with a layer Of
clean cloth or absorbent cotton to pre-
vent their becoming chilled. 1t Is a
good practice to stand the eggs In a
WV AniGt paw. Cafth win tit SG
end uppermost- for period of twelve
hours before placing for incubation.
This balances the yolk in the center
and locates the air CELL
Eggs waiting for incubation should
be kept at temperature of about 60
degrees f., although they will stand
variation Of temperature from 40 to
100 degrees. They should not be allow
ed to dry out, nor should they be ex-
posed to current OF cold air, steam
or vapor. During storage eggs for in
cubator use should be turned every
day.
Hens kept In unhealthful quarters or
too closely confined are not likely to
lay eggs that win produce strong.
healthy chickens. Hens suffering from
disease or infested with vermin may
lay, but eggs from such hens will
rarely hatch. and even II they do hatch
the chicks will not be likely to mature
into vigorous or growthy fowls.
Hence in order to secure hatchable
eggs the hens must be healthy, have
plenty Of exercise and be fed upon an
assorted or balanced ration. An excfu-
s1ve corn diet will not make for fertil.
ity. Fowls IN confinement must have
a mixed diet and plenty Of ground
bone. with meats, clovers or other sub
stances In the line of heterogeneous food
1t Is wise to aim at uniformity in age.
size. color and breed There Is a great
deal in selection. and this goes back to
the parent stock before the eggs are
laid II the flock Is uneven the birds
ought to be separated into pens so that
the eggs taken for Matching are sure to
be fertile and from a good strain Of
hens
The best pullets Matched every spring
ought to be kept for winter egg pro-
duction. They will begin laying when
prices are high. Pullets will begin lay.
ing at five to seven months Of age, &C
| cording to the kind Of blood In them.
| Nearly all tine pullets hstched in March
will begin kying In October or Novem-
Der. Just in time to furnish a supply Of
eggs when prices are highest A good
plan is to bring pullets along steadily
without forcing. and they viii be good
size at SIX to seven months Keep the
flock divided and do not let males run
with pullets the first year or while the
! eggs are wanted for market When
! wanted for Matching let the males run
with them, twelve or fourteen hens for
| each rooster.
| It is obvious that the best results
economically come from chickens run
ming at large on the farm. With but
| little attention they gather the greater
| part of their food. and 1t is properly
| balanced at that
In order to provide large grain sup
/ ply at the least expense a nearby tract
| say the orchard-should be planted to
/ wheat. the chickens being confined I'M
| til it has come up well to prevent
scratching out the seed. When ripe
the birds will attack the crop, doing
| the reaping and thrashing. with no at
tention whatever from the owner.