The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-22

1 to the point where the ground is denlided of grass, becomes polluted by the accum-
 ulated droppings and infected with dis ease germs and poultry parasites, trouble appears.
 Avoid OvercrOwding As a general proposition, then, where
 large amount of poultry is grown it pays
 to give the young stock the greatest pos l sible freedom and so avoid the dangers or
 overcrowding. When chicks are ,n tions, find much food which they relish, 1 tions, find muchr food which they relish,
 and are free from the constant worry of confinement This means better develop ment less disease and usually fewer 1 deaths.
 The practice of doubling up broods and giving each hen more chicks than she
 can hover and care for is also the cause
 of much loss. Early in the season the 1 broods should be small, so that all the chicks may find shelter and warmth be- meath the hen As the season advances 1 and the warm weather comes on the broods may be made larger, since there is 1 less danger of chilling. About b chicks IS a good average number to be entrusted to hens like Plymouth Rocks or Orping- tons.
 Finally. chick comfort depends to
 very large extent upon the characteristics of the mother hens. Nervous, cross aighty hens are undesirable. They too often neglect their duties. Quiet, gentle individuals. which never tread upon or crush the chicks. are always ready to hover them when they become chilled or tired will bring through to maturity large proportion of the babies intrusted to their care.
 1 Protection from heat and cold, sun and storm has been touched upon, But. un-
 fortunately, this is not all. We must guard against enemies of all kinds-para- "a accidents. 1 Among the common enemies are hawks, crows. owls rats, cats, skunks and wea- | sels These all enjoy an occasional chicken dinner, and they use great in | genuity in procuring supplies. Many of these are night providers, and may be successfully repulsed by we'll built coops which are carefully closed 1 each night Tight floors and ventilating openings covered with flne-meshed wire netting are needed. Of course, a good
 shotgun and steel traps will aid in subduing these raiders; and well trained dog will do a great deal.
 l During the daytime the hens will faith fully guard their young, sounding the alarm when any danger threatens. For this reason it is always good policy to permit the hens to lange with their broods, or, at least, give them lath covered run adjoining the coop, from which they can keep eye on the
 
 dodge when warned, and flew of them will be picked up by crows or hawks. A good patch of corn makes excellent cover and it takes lively bird of prey to pick up a chicken in it. Lice and mites do great damage, stunt ing the growth of their victims, if not actually killing them. The various kinds Of poultry lice may be easily killed by the use of any good insect or lice killing powder. This treatment has little effect on the blood sucking mites, since these make their headquarters in cracks in the floors on walls of the coops. and visit the chicks only for the purpose of se- curing food Keep the coops clean, use plenty of whitewash or liquid lice killer, and danger from this source will be avoided.
 In certain sections of the country the gape worm does great amount of dam age. This parasite is not easily handled, since its life history is not entirely known. Apparently it is carried by the common earth worm, and is found in greatest numbers in lots or fields where chickens have been grown for several successive years.
 If this trouble maker appears, it is a good plan to temporarily abandon the infected area and rear the chicks on un- ineffected land. Tn many cases this | scheme cannot be adopted because of | limitations of space, and it then becomes | necessary to use other methods The plan usually recommended is to apply a liberal amount of lime to the surface of
 the land. blow or spade deeply, and grow | a heavy crop of green stuff The writer cannot speak from experience regarding | the results which follow this treatment of the soil. but at least it will do no harm and it will prove beneficial in many
 ways, even if it fails to accomplish the
 main object
 l Prevention of Disease l Many of the most destructive chick dis | eases are due to the presence of specific
 disease germs and molds. This indicates l the necessity of disinfecting the GOODS occasionally and keeping buildings and
 -'uns clean and in sanitary condition. This
 applies also to the various dishes used in | feeding and watering Spraying or wash I ing occasionally with any good disin- fectant costs but trifle. and the prac- tice may prevent contagious disease from