The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28
CARE IS WATCHWORD
IN RAISING POULTRY
Quarters in Which Fowls Are to
Live Should Receive Much
Attention.
OVERHAUL PLANT IN FALL
IT This Is Done Everything
Will BE in Readiness When
Spring Arrives.
OVERHAUL PLANT IN FALL
~ pros. r. n. sTorEBURN.

II is not possible OH poultry plant. as
to lay out complete schedule Of work and
then to follow this absolutely Too many
variable factors enter into the case. and
one must simply change his plans to meet
each condition as It arises.
But there are certain lines Of work which
are seasonable duties which can be per-
formed 10 the best advantage during GER
tain months Some OF these arc discussed
below.
On most poultry plants the bulk OF the
present seasons crop OF young stock has
been wesned from hens and breeders and
placed on the range where the growing
youngsters can largely care for themselves.
This relieves the poultryman of the constant
detail work of caring for incubators and
breeders and gives him leisure to look
ahead, to plan for the work of the fall and
winter, which will be upon us before we
realize.
In tribe more than two months the
early Matched pulets will be transferred
to their winter quarters, and any repairs
or alterations should be made before the
new tenants take up their strange homes.
The less the prospective layers are dis
turbed at that time the better the chances
OF obtaining the greatly desired fall and
turbance has a retarding effect upin egg
production. and the longer the time of
laying is delayed the less the seasons re-
turns will be. The early eggs are valuable.
and II is seldom that a flock makes up for
time lost during the fall months.
During the dry weather of the summer
one may profltably devote his leisure 10
putting everything about the plant IN
perfect order 80 that his work will not have
TO ue hurriedly attended to In the fall or
neglected entirely.
II It Is planned to install trap nests a
begin the keeping of systematic records al
the basis of Intelligent breeding work
these appliances should be built or pur-
chased and placed In position SO the in
coming flock may use them from the very
start The necessary record sheets and
leg bands should be provided in order
that there may be no delay when the pullets
actually begin laying. Too often failure
to attend to this early enough is the cause
of Incomplete records being kept and much
of the value Of the work lost.
Those who expect to crate fatten their
surp us stock this fall to the improvement
OF quality and price should build crates
and feeding troughs and get In touch with
u supply of the necessary special feeds IN
order that this work may begin promptly
AT the poper time. As rule last minute
preparations make necessary the use OF
makeshift methods.
Incubators and brooders should be
thoroughly overhauled and inspected and
a list made OF any parts which must be
repaired or renewed. The machines and
everything about them should be cleaned
and disinfected. This Is merely insurance
for the future, the premium being a little
care. The water systems OF mammoth In.
30. .Nl.. l.
be empted. M II forgotten they may freeze
and burst when cold weather comes on.
the houses which are to receive the
laying stock demand special attention
Make them snug and tight. Nail loose
boards tightly in place. Close up all cracks
and holes which may cause troublesome
drafts. thus bringing on colds and roup
Ieaky roofs are also the source of many
poultry ills. Replace missing shingles
where such roofing material Is used. Re.
pair torn roofing fabric by cementinp OF
liberal sized patches. Give the whole sur
face where necessary a thorough coat OF
special paint containing asphalt or othel
similar substance or cover 1t with coal tar
The latter should be applied hot. and on 1
warm day there will he no dificulty In
spreading it.
Many poultrymen make IL a practlc,
to scatter fine gravel or coarse sand n,
paint or tar while IL is still wet, thus add
ing to the life of the roof. Poultry hous,
fioors should be dry and clean. FIJI in I,
depth OF several inches we'll above IN,
surface OF the ground outside. This pre-
caution will invariably be taken by thos,
who value the health Of their flock. Boarc
noors should be cleaned and scraped, doln,
thorough Job over every square incl
OF surface. They should next be wet dow,
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