Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-03-03
CALENDAR FOR MARCH

SALENDAR FOR MARCH
March is a good month in which 10
start the incubators for early breeding
stock. If the matches come off the
latter part OF the month, say about the
last week, there is no danger OF the
puiiets going into mott in the fall
But when they are brought out early in
\ the month, the chances are strong for
the mott at the season when the hens
are naturally in 1t. This cuts down the
egg crop.
Hens, too, can set in March, but ii
J is advisable to start them about the
| middle rather than the beginning of
the month, for the reason that the
sudden changes we have about this
/ time have a bad effect upon the tenn
perature the hen must impart TO the
eggs.
Before a hen is set when the wea-
ther is cold, care must be taken that she
is thoroughly broody, or she is apt
to leave the nest at q critical time
when the hatch is in progress None
OF the chicks must be removed until
incubation is entirely completed The
old fashion was to remove the chicks
as soon as out and place them in a
basket near the stove. This is OF no
benefit TO the chick, and reduces the
temperature Of the nest, resulting in
many deaths in the she'll There need
be no fear Of a hen crushing the new
born chicks. She is more apt to be-
come restless by the removal of her
young.
March setting should contain no
more than eleven eggs. When a larg-
er number is allowed, the hen is not
able TO cover them fully, and those
eggs on the edge of the nest are very
liable TO chill.
After the hatch, comes off, the hen
and her small brood should be kept in
small house or coop for about two
weeks. This house should be large
enough so she can walk about and ex-
ercise. The first two weeks the lit
! tie ones need warmth more than food.
After that age il is best to allow them
outdoors on mild days.
The price of table eggs Is somewhat
lower than last month, as there is a
bigger supply
Where ii is intended TO purchase
eggs for Matching about April or May,
il is best to send in the order now, so
/ that the poultryman can book it,.
This will guarantee delivery when
wanted. Otherwise, orders received
just about when needed will have to
take their turn. During April espec-
| tally, the demand for Matching eggs is
large, and out of fairness poultrymen
must follow the rule of first come
first served"
Al his time of year eggs from hens
give better results than do eggs from
pul'eis. Eggs from FULLEST should not
be Used until the latter are AZ least
nine months old
The eggs from heavy winter layers
are rot so apt TO be fertile as those
from hens that nave made only a fair
Showing.
For producing uniform eggs. one
breed of hens is better than mix
,ure. The egg-basket looks better
when all eggs are of the same size and
coltr
Hens must not be kept too fat if want
ed to fill the basket with eggs. So in the
winter let the grain ration be one half
wheat or oats and the other half corn
Glover or alfalfa leaves thrown into
the scratching pen will not be wasted
The hens will pick up these leaves and
eat them, and they furnish the green
feed necessary for the flock in the
winter.
Fire up in the shop some Of these
blustery days and overhaul the brood
ers and brood coops, for one will al
ways find himself heels over head in
work when the time comes to repair
and use them. Besides, a lot Of nest
boxes for extra use in the spring egg
rush, can be easily fitted up.
At the time of year when eggs are
scarce, the demand greatly exceeds the
supply of fresh tnewly-laid) eggs.
There are great many housewives in
towns and cities who would be very
glad indeed to make arrangements
with farmers to receive stated
supply Of newly-laid eggs every week
or So and pay a fair price for them.
Damp floors and sloppy foods give
rise To the roup. and this disease thins
out the flock and makes an empty egg.
basket. Feed the mashes dry, and
over the floor a foot deep with clean.
dry straw. Separate all diseased
fowls from the flock and give some
preventive to we'll birds. The diseased
birds should be decapitated and burned
They will be valueless as layers or
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