Milford chronicle., 1914-06-19

dIdleu lue pullSLS from lne cOckerelS.
On the average farm, however, the whole
flock, consisting of from one to several
hundred birds, both old and young, of
both sexes, are still running in one pro-
miscuOus lot.
1t is dollars to doughnuts that all re-
ceive the same kind of food and amount
of food, or at least they do, provided
they are able to get their share when the
general scramble for food takes place.
Thus we often see in many tiocks over
fat birds of all ages and sexes.
There are many farmers, and even
others, who have absolutely refused to
change the diet of their fowls from the
old stand-pat corn. The result is that
now most Of their birds are Overfat or
have taken on internal fat. Too much
feeding of corn, producing the overfat
condition, develops leg weakness or
greatly reduces the egg producing ca
pacity of the pullets, to say the least.
A pulet intended to be raised for egg
production should never be allowed to
put on internal fat, which she is sure
to do if fed largely on corn during the
last few months of her development.
As most persons, particularly poultry
men, raise pullets for egg production,
your early springers of the female sex
should now be receiving care and atten-
ton especially directed toward their
ultimate use in the egg pen.
Would you even think of feeding stock
hogs or milch cows pure corn for results!
| think not Then, why stuff your grow
ing pullets or breeding stock of poultry
on so fattening a ration?
If it is possible to allow the pullets
free range, without their taking on too
much fat, they will be all the better for
it and will be much stronger.
There is vast difference in the laying
qualities of pullets that have been bred
fed and handled from the very start with
a view of improving the egg laying
qualities, over those that have been
lust raised" and allowed to take on
internal fat.
Now comes a very important point to
be considered in the proper care of the
growing stock. While, of course, the
feeding is not the only avenue which
leads to success, yet it is necessarily a
very important road to travel and must
be closely followed
There are, needless to state, many
different methods of feeding, but one
that | believe will be found to stand
the test and thus prove successful FOL
lows Don't forget the grain ration,
but see to it that there is little or no
corn fed. If you prefer little corn,
bv all means feed cracked corn and not
the whole grain the latter is entirely too
heating and fattening for this season
of the year.
Besides the grain a good ration for
the growing pullets may be had by mix
ING oat chop, bran, wheat chop and cut
alfalfa or clover. The mixture should
be two parts bran to one each OF the
other INGREDIENTS. This mash may be
fed either dry or wet, but my preference
is dry feeding. If you desire to feed 1t
wet. mix it with enough skim milk 70
form a crumbly mass, not sloppy. II
fed drv. then feed the milk in separate
vessels. but care should be taken that
tbe vessels used for the milk be thoroughly
cleaned every day.
ING stock, the pullets when they nave
started to lay, and even to all the lay
ing hens. To this ration may also De
added a good beef scraps unless the Dlrds
are supplied with good table scraps
The presence of the milk, however
does away largely with the feeding Of
other forms of animal food ana the Deel
scrap may we'll be omitted.
See that a sufficient quantity OF oyster
shell. grit and charcoal are kept before
the birds at all times, particularly OF
vour place is scarcely supplied win
small sharp stones and sand. Indeed
it is not a bad idea to provide these
necessities for the stock anyhow, 70
avoid running chances on their MOI
getting it. 1t costs but trltie and Will
more than pay for itself in the long
Pnllets are not unlike the other birds
in wanting good, clean fresh water al
ali times and this you should notneglect.
Comfortable quarters should be provld1-
ed for the growing pullets for then
proper development. -,
a comfortable chick is always more
thrifty one which is compelled TO SUI
fer ali from the extreme heat, coIse
ouent upon tightly closed or Gam
house. or one that is compelled to hgh'
hard against lice and mlted. -,..
PulIets lust approaching maturity
mist not be mixed or housed with COCK
araIe if they are to attain the nighes
degree of physical development. -,
While the ratiOns required by young
nuilets does not differ from that neeu
ID bv the growing stock Of either sex
vet + must be remembered that they
1 Should be fed in widely scattered troughl
n avoid crowding out the weaker o.
less bold ones. Particularly y Ill
necessary where one has not the room
IN separate the sex. If fed IN TINS wa.
tbe nullets will do reasonably we'll eVei
sybap kent with the cOckerels, but J.
space will permit they should be sep
arated. e-.... .ool,orels an,
surnins bullets for market purposes o.
not attempt to accomplish TINS en-
while thew are with the general nOck
For This purpose, it will be well to pro
vide one or more cOops in when TN
birds desired for market may be place.
and fattened, in order not to destro.
tbe value of the pullets that are 70 D.
kent for egg production or breeders.
If Won have not the room to perm
frae range. it is very necessary to pro
vide some sort of green food Tor IN
growing pullets, and this must pe o.
6aIatable nature. Plant patch OF GA!
and allow the birds access to 1t Wheh
Is nm several inches. If this IS lmpossl9ie.
s - Green clover or alfalfa. Ana
y vol, cannot get either of these, then
w. obs Fi NAV be had in lettuce, car
| oNS9s' = Ito foae and the like.