Milford chronicle., 1915-07-16
YOUR FOWLS FROM
THE SUMS HOT RAYS
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
III Righks Resegpeal

Some time ago we spoke of providing
ample shade in the poultry yard, and
now that the hot weather seems to have
settled upon US for some time to come,
/ let me again call your attention to the
necessity of sufficient shade for the
/ fowls. This applies to both the old and
young birds. Linked to the necessity
of shade for the chickens, comes the
need of supplying cool, fresh water IN
abundant quantity.
1t seems unnecessary to state that
| trees make the best shade, but If you
have not already prepared for this sum-
mer by planting them, then do so at
once, and in the meantime, construct
some kind of artificial shade for the
fowls until the trees are sufficiently
grown to provide it. While the trees
are young and growing, a good shade
may be had by planting sunfiowers;
These are rapid growers and will afford
much shade, besides supplying good
seed for the birds.
While planting trees for shade, put in
only those that are worth while. Fruit
trees thrive wonderfully well when
planted in the poultry yard or run, ard
fertilized by the fowls themselves:
Peach trees furnish abundant shade,
are rapid growers, and will yield fruit
when three years old.
Shade is an important factor in the
health of the chickens, and is just as
necessary to the growing stock as to
the older birds.
Water the chickens two or three times
a day during the hot weather and see
that the fountains are placed in a shady
spot. The hot rays of the sun will spoil
the water for drinking purposes in a
very few minutes. Even though the
water fountain is placed where the suns
rays will not strike it, it soon becomes
warm and stagnant and is unfit for the
fowls to drink-it should therefore be
changed three times during the day. If
this is impossible, then by all means,
give fresh water twice each day.
Tin pals are unfit for water, particu-
larly during the hot weather. Aim to
secure some kind of vessel that will
keep the water cool.
A good, and yet convenient vessel for
this purpose, may be had for the small
sum Of ten cents. Purchase a stone
crock such as is generally used for but
ter. This keeps the water cool much
longer than a tin, or even granite iron
vessel, and is sufficiently heavy to keep
the chickens from upsetting it.
You may, however, prefer drinking
vessel to a hang upon the wall, or on
the trunk of a large shade tree. and in
which case you might think nothing but
a tin vessel will answer. Such is not
the case, however. For this purpose,
get an earthenware or stone salt box,
which is designed to be hung up. After
filling it, hang it on the wall, or against
a tree, being careful not to get 1t so
high that the fowls cannot reach the
water.
These may also be utilized in the
scratch shed, but in all events, should
be hung high enough so as not to permit
the birds to scratch the litter into it.
Just as important for the health and
comfort of the fowls during the hot
days of the summer, as that OF the
water and shade, is the dust bath. Sum-
ner time is "louse time, and these
parasites multiply very rapidly unless
given your undivided attention. No hen
,an be healthy, comfortable and in the
pink of condition if worried to death by
,hese pesky bugs. 1t is absolutely nee
sssary, in addition to an occasional dust
ng of the birds, and the keeping Of the
oops and quarters clean, to provide I
hem with a good dust bath; for the {
len will keep herself cleaner than any
luman being can possibly do-that IS, II
he is given the necessary things with
which to do it.
Remember, the dust is to the hen {
7hat the bath tub is to the person. We a
lust have a tub, or its substitute, IN a
rder to keep clean. The hen needs the S
ust bath equally as much. Coal ashes
nd road dust make an excellent bath
Or fowls of all ages. If you cannot u
ct the coal ashes at this season of the
ear, then get the road dust-it will do
cry well by itself 1t will cost you
othing but few minutes of your time,
nd will save both labor and money in I
le end. /
Another rather important problem Il
hich faces the average poultry raiser, u
nd particularly those who only have a e
nited space to devote to the industry,
that of keeping the ground used by
le fowls pure and sweet.
The contention that one cannot keep p,
wis year after year on the same y
round with any degree of success. is is
? no means true. You just might as -
eli say llldL d DELbOl NnlllAOI NbAAAAAAAN
reside in a house stationed in the
me place for years.
Impure ground always means a lot of i,
ckly chickens, and naturally results in hi,i
any deaths. So does an unclean home "
can sickness in the family, and the =
essence of many different kinds of dis ., :,
se. In order to maintain health, ones i;l
me must be kept clean and sweet. ~
le same is true of the ground upon ~ ~
lich chickens are reared. "
Of course, if the plot of ground de- ~, ~
ted to the chickens is very small, it Bi
II keep you busy in order to maintain VI
tate Of purity. This can be done, how
er, by constantly lining the ground
avily with air-slacked lime, and spad
2 it under.
With the turn of spring, the ground CC
Ould be well swept and raked off, yc
ter penning the chickens out. Air Gl
.cked lime should then be spread heav- m
, and on top of this sprinkle a good ar
antity of oats. Now spade both the l
le and oats under, and don't be afraid fo
spading too deep. Remember, the Di
eper the better for results. Keep the hs
dis penned off for a week or ten days. tn
-ino the oats a chance to poke their an