Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-18

the breed that he admires most, be-
cause with liking for his flock will
| come the desire to care for them prop
erly Satisfactory results never can
be obtained from neglected flocks.
High-grade pullets of good weight
healthy and vigorous-should be
purchased so the owner will be able
to get eggs regularly in November,
December, January and February.
Since they are to be the mothers of
the future flocks, they should be
from strain known to good LAYERS
and up to standard weight Early
Matched pullets are best and these
generally can be obtained from any
rellable breeders. 1t is wise to pur-
chase from one who has been in busi-
ness for a number of years, and who
has experience in growing and mating
fowls for best results. The amateur
who starts with a flock of pure-bred
BIRDS OF the proper quality and gives
them reasonable care cannot help but
obtain results. This kind of stock
Will cost more than some of the So
called bargains" sold at prices only
few cents above the wholesale mar
ket prices, but it will pay better in
the end.
Late hatched pullets can always be
bought in the Fall at a figure that ap-
peals to the pocketbook, but they are
costly in the end, for eggs will not be
obta1ned-even with the best of care
until the pullets are older. 1t does
not pay to keep pullets several months
in the Fall or winter while waiting
for eggs.
Do Not Crowd the Fowls
Another error to be avoided is plac-
ing too many fowls in the poultry
buildings. This error is common.
even among poultry keepers of ex-
perience, and the result-especially
among beginners-is shortage of eggs
and often disease. Overcrowding
never pays. All of the heavier breeds
should have houses that will give each
bird at least four square feet of floor
space.
Proper ventilation is essential. and
all poultry houses should be built so
they Will give plenty of fresh air.
which means healthy fowls. Birds
kept in close stuffy houses will not
produce eggs in paying quantities.
Feeding the home flock is easy. The
leading brands of ready mixed feeds
will give satisfactory results. They
are made up according to formulas
used by many of the successful poul-
try breeders and while they are slight
ly higher in price than unmixed grain,
they are generally more satisfactory.
The feeding equipment for the home
flock should include hopper for the
dry mash, and. If desired, another
for the mixed grain; but many prefer
to feed the grain morning and night
by hand, scattering it in a deep litter
OF rye or wheat straw. There should
| be oyster shell, grit and charcoal and
fresh water should be given at least
| twice a day in covered drinking YES
sells.
If the poultry building is kept rea-
sonably clean, if the fowls are kept
free from lice, and if the owner selects
good pen of fully matured pullets
from a breeder of known reliability
his opportunities to succeed are most
favorable. The poor results with
poultry that now and then are re.
corded should not be laid to the hen
but to poor stock or improper care.
Start in a small way. From twelve
to twenty-four good pullets should
give plenty of eggs for the family
table and twenty-five to fifty should
produce a surplus that may be sold
to the neighbors at a good price