Milford chronicle., 1915-06-04

u,hi1e If is absolutely necessary tC
aftar the health of the little
l'jnts during the summer, yet 1t is
cnltnS lt as important to safeguard the old
us ts as we'll. What are the dangers
vi tbo health of the old birds in the
u .le or runs? Are there disease con-
yys.;one that are prevalent during the
ul.,U, .'-o,,,ar months? From observation
p soems that there are too many per-
rone engaged in poultry raising who
onIect the yearling birds and devote
nii of their attention to the growing
chicks. ,,,,ooo 90 fnoo
MO the Youngsters are turned
80 on if. while the older birds are
aooned ND into small runs and in bad
e,,eIIing houses where they are COM
1ejIed TO spend the hot summer days.
Rbe chicks are allowed the entire use
Of tbe grass range, the open front
houses and the shade of the trees in
the orchard
birds after this fashion are heard to
complain and growl that the flock
shows signs of debility, complain that
thew 20 off their feed and become such
an evesore to the plant that they are
sent TO the "chopping block" in order
TO get them out of sight.
II is a rare thing to find a flock of
hens that have not been pushed, and
nnsbed hard, for eggs since the early
weeks fall and winter by the feeding
of such making foods as will pro-
Jnce that luxury. Such food is liter
aIIv showed into the birds, with the
idea of getting as many eggs as pos
sible while the market is at its
height
The result is that the digestive or
qans of the hens are Overworked, and
as a result, many of the hens give
ont in the spring and early summer,
become inactive, and become inditfer- !
ent layers.
In their eagerness to get the largest |
pOssible yield, the hens are fed an |
over quantity of animal food, stimula
ted with condition powders, and fed |
too much meat scrap. Thus they
greatly injure the birds that they ex
meet to use during their second year
as breeders.
After being forced all during the
winter months for eggs, these hens
are relegaCed to the closest coOps,
small yards and runs during the sum-
mer and given but little attention; yet
kicks are registered against them
beset with ailments during the sum-
mer
The symptoms of such a hen are in
digestion and debility. There is loss
Of appetite, a sluggish motion in eX-
srcising and loose bowels which stick
% the feathers below the vent. So
sluggish are these birds that they do
not take their regular morning dust
oath. This allows the lice free reign,
md the result is that many of those
hat are not killed to improve the look
II the plant, die off.
These conditions not only attack the
lens, but the male birds as we'll.
Is a rule, the male bird is mated to
90 large a number of hens and is
hus greatly Overworked all during
he winter months, and when he
hould be in excellent condition for
reeding purposes, he is fit for moth
lg save the soup house. In this
undOWn condition he also falls a
rey to the same plague, and unless
OnditiOns are improved, turns up his !
1es.
Don't be selfish towards the older ',
irds and bestOw all your attention :
nd dainties upon the younger birds. =
i've both a little and success will
ONE quicker. Give those that were :
lithful during the winter, at least :
ortiOn of the grass range, and allow :
lem to participate in the use of the =
lade in the orchard. Make their do
aims comfortable. Don't expect them
shell out during the summer when =,
ley have been worked overtime, so =
speak, during the winter. They :,
aed rest and should de allowed to =
ave it. Cut down your feelings to G
70 meals day and reduce the sup y
y of corn during the hot weather. E,
educe the amount or animal food to h
little less than ten per cent.
Green food is highly important in
e summer as it is in the winter, and f,
this end one should feed cabbage, a,
seds, lawn clippings and such like. f.
le hens relish these and will par ii
ke freely. f.
The mating pens should be broken HI
as soon as possible and the male al
I'd placed in a separate run to allow h,
N to recuperate and to keep him j
)m worrying the hens. If it is i'm fc
ssible to keep him separate, then el
ace him with two or three hens, or
ie with a flock of young cockrels.
Don't forget the drinking water. Ia
w that the weather is getting warm w
ecial care should be given the drink h,
vessels. Water placed out in the m
n is no fit to drink after a very cr
lie while. Keep the drinking fount- M
in the shade and change the water AZ
zee times a day, unless you can M
1vide running water. The yearling M
rs need this attention as well as the
lie chicks, and should by all means
it. Many persons make the mis- 10
,e Of refilling the dirty drinking bc
isels instead of taking the trouble mr.
wash them. Remember that these ar
)uld always be kept clean and filled W;
n fresh water.
)ne of the most common causes of
uble to the yearling hens, as well
the young chicks, is lice and little
mites. In no time of the year are ~
re so many insect pests as from -
le to September During this per- - -
the weather is exceptionally fav- ~
Die for them. They have had time ~ ~
multiply, and the birds are hinder o.