The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-03-05

>ducing strains It is well to aim at a
larger meat production as we'll as more
eggs. There is much room for i'm
provement in all varieties and breeds
as far as egg production is concerned,
and it Is time for the breeders of this
country to get busy. There are Won
derful possibilities along this line.
The best producers have broad bod
les. The back is broad and the ribs are
widespread. giving plenty Of room for
the egg organs and digestive organs.
The bodies are solid The birds are not
loose jointed, Il but compactly built.
Good layers are big eaters.
A big decrease in the, egg yield in
winter can be brought on more quickly
by great variations in. temperature,
sudden changes in weather conditions,
than by continued or prolonged spells
OF either cold or rainy weather. 1t will
pay to keep good hen until she is four
years old, as her offspring will be SUI
perior, althoughyshe is likely to show a
decline in egg production after the Sec
ond year. .~s*... -. ...
More depends upon the breeding of
the male as to the number Of eggs the
offspring will; produce than upon the
female, yet it will pay to breed from
the best layers in preference to the
poorest. Breeders should select the va.
riety which. suits them best as to color,
size and shape and breed up until the
fowls satisfy them as to quality and
productiveness., They make a. mistake
by jumping from one breed to another,
trying to discover better layer. It
will pay the average poultryman to
trap nest his flock In fall and winter
and breed from the pullets which lay
earliest in life and from the pullets
and hens which LAY in winter.
If a hen is given reasonably good
shelter, feed and attention, she will
net reasonable profit If she has been
properly bred. The purpose of prop
erly feeding and housing hen is not
to feed eggs into her body, but so to
feed and care for her that one may
get out Of her the eggs which breed
ing has placed there. Proper feeding,
housing and care have a bearing on
the number Of eggs produced by a
flock, but: breeding is the most impor-
tant factor. Hens must be fed liberal
~, especially III winter, if they are to
yield a fair profit, but care must be
taken to keep the larger breeds from
becoming too fat They must be made
-. = - r
1t is surprising how much grass and
green stuff hens will eat If they can
get it. Hens kept in confinement to
do their level best must be supplied
with raw cabbage or something green
to take the place Of grass and will eat
greedily Of boiled potatoes, boiled tur-
nips, beets and parsnips. These, yege-
tables are not only excellent food for
them in addition to grain, but they are
also among the cheapest. Hens in con-
finement must be provided in part
with flesh diet like meat scraps and
the refuse Of butcher shops. Like hui
man beings they are fond Of change
and appreciated diversified menu.
All authorities are agreed that wheat
and wheat screenings, supplemented
with corn and buckwheat, are the best
grains for egg production.
Grind the corn mostly, moisten the
meal and feed It to the whole flock,
as well as to the chicks. 1t saves
great deal Of labor for their gizzards.
Corn Is objected to by some on the
ground that it Is too heating and fat
tening. Hens are fond Of milk, and It
Is a valuable food for egg production,
but to prevent waste it should be mix
ed with whent bran. wheat middlings
or cornmeal.