The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-12-21

because owners have too much other
work or because they are lacking in
capacity or earneStness.
The correct breeding of pullets for
winter egg production is one of the
uppermost topics with poultry owners
just now. Early in the winter plans
should be made for starting incuba-
tors. Hatching ought to be in full
blast all through March and April,
therefore the present is none too soon
to provide for the eggs of good laying
and breeding stock for Matching pur-
poses. 1t may be necessary to send to
experts or dealers to get the right kind
of eggs. There needs to be certainty
about this branch of the business.
Guesswork will not do, and in looking
into the question of poultry fitness
both the male and female stock must
be considered. Assuming that eggs
from a good laying strain are avail
able as needed, Matching should start
early enough so that pullets may be
secured in March and April up to the
number required the following winter.
AS the focks attain the age of three
or four weeks pullets and cockerels
should be separated. The latter may
be fattened and marketed when about
two months old. The pullets need
clean yards and free range on pleas
ant days. but must be housed during
stormy periods even in summer. 1t
should be the aim to have them
healthy and free from vermin. If
there are lice among the poultry, meth
DDS must be found for getting rid of
them. In addition to such ordinary
methods as rubbing insect powders
upon the flesh and through the feath
ers, dust bins should be provided
Greasing chickens is Il simple and ef-
fective remedy if coupled with dust
baths. See that all the fowls and all the
buildings are kept free from vermin.
Feeding is not to be forced, but the
pullets need to be kept growing in a
uniform way. They should not be al
lowed free access to plowed ground
more than one or two days in a week.
as they are apt to eat more worms
than are good for them. On a grass
range of an acre or two they will pick
up about the right quantity of insects
for correct feeding. If they have no
chance to do this little chopped meat
or ground bone should be provided
about every other day. in connection
with a diet of clipped or ground oats.
wheat or some of the standard poultry
foods. Chickens require considerable
green stuff, and they relish nearly all
kinds Of vegetables Root crops, such
as beets. carrots, turnips and potatoes,
need to be boiled. Clean water and
fine gravel or oyster shell must be
available at all times. If the owner is
able to shape matters right it is best to
raise the pullets in small focks. Neither
houses nor yards should be crowded.
For winter housing intelligent man
Agement rather than expensive build
ings is needed. Open front houses give
the safest kind of ventilation. In wet
or extremely cold weather these Open
ings should be closed with drop cur
tains or sliding windows 1t is impera-
tive that floors and roosts be kept
clean. Chickens should have clean
straw litter in which to scratch for
their grain. Dry mash is best fed from
hoppers. 1t is essential to provide a
proportion of green food all winter
Fowls suffering from any kind of dis
ease, even an ordinary cold. should be
separated from the others. not only for
better treatment. but to protect the
flock. Nests need to be cleaned and
somewhat darkened. 1t is best to
change the straw every two or three
weeks.